3 Sept - Kirby Stephen to Keld

A tough day of walking over the Pennines the so called " backbone of England". Took a hard route to "Nine Standard" where we met people who advised us to go the red route rather than the blue route as the latter was very boggy and thick with mud. Well..... we found plenty of bog and mud so hate to think what the blue route was like. It was a tough walk indeed. 

"Nine Standards" is the summit of Hartley Fell in the Pennines. It lies near the boundary of Cumbria and Nth Yorkshire and has great views of the Eden Valley. 

The mountain range is called the Yorkshire Dales Northern Fells. The name is derived from 9 groups of standing stones or cairns. The wind up there was vicious and we think the temperature dropped to 0 degrees at 1300. Here is where we crossed the Cumbrian border into Yorkshire. 

We crossed miles of heather moorland which has resulted from the clearance of oak woodland which is now owned by a private estate and managed for grouse shooting. We are during the season now and could hear shots being fired at a distance. 

Keld which means spring, is a small village with, yes you got it, a church, bridge, pub called Keld Lodge (where we stayed) and a beck. It was very enjoyable to have a beer, then after a soaking just walk down stairs for dinner. 

On foot is a fabulous way to see parts of England. Every day we have congratulated ourselves on our great achievement so far. We are half way now we have reached Keld. 

Entrance to the Kirby Stephen's parish church build in 1810. 

There was a service in an hour but we declined. 

Lama relaxing. 

Kirkby Stephen behind us. 

"Rest a while" chair. 

Onward and upward. 

The bog begins. It's getting cold. 

Can't afford to look up walking on this stoned path. 

The drizzle starts and continues. 

Nine Standards. 

One minute it's clear then the mist clouds over. 

We made it. 

Whoops! Michael finding quicksand bog as he lead the way. 

Lunch break. 

Yurt - a Mongolian portable round tent covered with skins or felt. 

Checking out the menu for the night. 

Keld Lodge where we all stayed. 

A delicious meal. 

Dave and Matt waiter and chief. 

Night caps celebrating our half way mark. 

2 Sept - Orton to Kirby Stephen

Breakfast and a sighting of the rare red squirrel, then a coffee at the chocolate factory. A 20km walk in fine weather to Kirby Stephen through beautiful countryside through the Eden Valley. 

There are four common things in every village: a pub, bridge, a beck (stream) and a church. 

We found the Black Bull at the end of today's walk where we enjoyed at few pints of Black Sheep (one of the better bitters we have had) and were entertained by a Country Squire who said he was a Laird, probably having us on. 

This was a highlight. 

Coffee at the Chocolate Factory. 

So much to choose from. 

Our path took us through Sunbiggin Farm. 

Some boggy areas. 

Tending to Di's painful foot. A welcomed break. 

We are heading for The Pennines in the instance. 

The sheep that looks a bit like a pig. 

Giving themselves a massage on the fence probably have lice!

Our lunch stop. Packed sandwiches, fruit and cake for £7! I've loved having my thermos with packet soup. 

Negotiating the bog. 

Here comes David. Knees bothering him a bit. These stone walls are everywhere. 

The Eden viaduct - a once used railway track over the valley. 

Fletcher House where we stayed in Kirby Stephen. 

Our entertaining squire in the pub.