Day 6 - Kirkby Stephen to Keld

Now we are 6 - first guest appearances as we're joined by Fi's sister Ali and her own Simon for today's leg. 


Distance: a measly 12 miles 

Elapsed time: 6 1/2 hours 

Calories: 1,003 

Much colder than yesterday - down to about 4 degrees. And windy, as we find out on the 4-5 mile upward climb to the Nine Standards, an interesting collection of stone formations high on a Pennine ridge. We persuade a reluctant Fi and Ali to go the high route to the Standards, and then it's a fun couple of hours bog-hopping on top of the very bleak moor.

Lunch is in the shelter of an old stone sheep fold, before heading down the Whitsundale valley. This is wild and remote country, but starkly beautiful. 


Disappointment of the day - getting to Ravenseat Farm that offers tea & scones, only to see a blackboard saying " closed - lambing season". And then we pop over the top of the moor and we're at the end of the delightful Swaledale, strolling along the road into Keld. 

A warm welcome at Butt House from Tony & Linda, followed by a wonderful meal with our friends Ian & Jan, who we met in Sicily a couple of years ago. 

Thought for the day: It's better to travel hopefully than to arrive.