Taking the scenic route

Day 8 didn’t start too auspiciously as we had been walking for a good 10 minutes before we realised that we hadn’t paid the bill at Keld Lodge and had to double back on ourselves! The false start also meant that we lost sight of George and Karen, who are hiking the Coast to Coast with their 14 year-old son, Jamie. I’d been reliably informed that Jamie was a dab hand at reading a map which probably explains why we didn’t see them again all day!

Today’s scenery was different yet again. We had opted to take the ‘high road’ from the two options available. Mostly because it was a blazing hot, clear July day and we thought the views from the top would be worth it. They absolutely were but the shade of the valley may have been the more sensible choice. Even I had to wear shorts today.

After a long and gradual climb with a couple of hairy bits (I’m not a fan of loose rock underfoot with nothing to stop me hurtling downwards, if I should lose my balance), we emerged onto a beautiful expanse of purple moorland. 

After a couple of easy miles, we were again scrambling up and down before gaining more height and being treated to a 360 degree panorama. It was very satisfying looking back at The Lakes in the distance but sadly I couldn’t quite spot the North Sea coast.

Throughout the day, we encountered lots of evidence of the area’s rich mining heritage - ruined mills, abandoned miners’ cottages and lunar landscapes that are yet to fully recover. We had lunch in a particularly pretty spot by a beck just before reaching the intriguingly-named Surrender Bridge.

With Reeth only a few miles away now, I decided to mix things up a bit and take us on the scenic route. Now, others might call that going the wrong way but Dad and I know better! Liz was remarkably understanding and didn’t complain about having to walk pretty much vertically uphill again to regain the path! 

Once back on track, the last couple of miles was taken up walking through fields and negotiating an increasingly challenging series of stiles. Definitely a local farmer’s idea of a joke. I think I had to pretty much put my foot where my ear is to climb up onto one of them.

A Red Arrows flypast marked our arrival at our destination. I think I’d like that every day please, perhaps with some aerial acrobatics thrown in when (if) I reach Robin Hood’s Bay!

Day 8:
Walked: 36,820 steps (11 miles plus a small detour!)
Stayed: Dales Bike Centre, Fremington
Ate: The Bridge Inn, Grinton

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