Hike Notes
Started the day at Kirkby Stephen and explored a shared Catholic/Anglican Church.
On the outskirts of Kirkby Stephen we found a unique sign that listed the mileage from the start and finish of the Coast to Coast. After today we will have passed the half way point.
Photo curtesy of Jane Leduc
After leaving town we hiked up about 1500 ft to the Nine Standards Rig, where, at the top, there were nine stone formations. Rockin' Roy said the theory is that from afar they look like standing armies to scare away the Scots.
Jane takes much better pictures than me.
View of Kirkby Stephen from the Nine Standards
The first half of the descent was through pretty wet peat bogs. Rockin' Roy said it was the dryest he has ever seen them. Still didn't keep me from sinking my new boots in one or two times. It got a bit better once we started following a stream down to a small farm called Ravenseat (more on that below).
We met up with a different river that took us into our final destination, Keld. I really enjoyed the vibrant green colors and openness of the Dales.
We later saw that ATV herding sheep. I've never wanted to be a sheep farmer more in my whole life.
Ended the day at the Keld Lodge. Not really enough time for a drink though unfortunately. All in all one of my favorite days. Weather was good. Feet were ok. And there were a lot of interesting things along the way.
Foot Status: 8 Standards out of 10.
Pictured: 5 Interesting people and 1 Aimless Armenian
Cream Tea at Ravenseat Farm
(Photos in this section courtesy of Jane Leduc)
Ravenseat Farm is a pretty famous place to stop for a break on the Coast to Coast. The family that lives there offers a cheap cream tea to walkers passing through (For my fellow Americans who may not know, 'Cream Tea' is tea and scones with clotted cream and jam. Probably some other stuff too...).
The family that lives there is also pretty infamous. They apparently have 9 children and have developed their own unique language they speak to each other with, though I never heard them speak it.
It was a very fun, relaxing break which made the last couple miles into Keld a piece of cake... Or scone I guess...
Hikers Exposed: Sluggish Sam
I didn't see much of Sam today. I was feeling really good and was at the head of the pack the whole time whereas, I gather, she brought up the rear most of the way. That's not really like her.
The few times we were together, like at lunch or at Ravenseat, she was somewhat unresponsive and not engaging with anyone. She looked more tired than I've seen her before.
I guess I can kind of relate to that. We're in the very middle of the walk so there is no longer that initial excitement from the previous week and we are a ways from getting excited about reaching the end. I've definitely started to feel the miles and I'm sure she has too. She'll get more energetic as we get closer to the North Sea, I'm sure.