Stage 8 on trail

Today we walked from Keld to Reeth, 13 miles of perfect walking terrain. Gentle hills, smooth, wide path and a few small hamlets to explore along the way. This is what we all thought the entire walk would be like. We chose the the low route along the River Swale rather than along the top of the moors that is the original Wainwright route. With a stop in Muker and a tour of their local woolen mills, we enjoyed some local town flavor along the way.

Walking along, we experienced a very strong tailwind for the whole day. We stopped in Gunnerside at the King's Head Inn (no actual king's head hanging) for homemade cream of mushroom and tarragon soup with a Brie and cranberry sandwich on 9 grain bread.  The innkeeper directed us to the path along the river and we were underway once more.

We had to perform some tricky maneuvers along the way with several narrow stiles (narrow brakes in the drystone walls with spring loaded gates) that challenged our girth, a harrowing swing over the river on tree limbs to get around a wire fence, and a 150 foot walk along a narrow stone wall with a 10 foot drop to the field and a 20 foot drop to the river. We are all very proud of Kay for leading the way despite her fear of heights.

We kept intersecting with another group of Americans who we had met at the Keld Lodge last night. A group of 14 retires who are doing this together without a guide. One couple dances Argentine Tango to keep in shape.  They were great fun and we saw them at supper tonight at the Buck Hotel (not Book). We had Indian food that was not the same as the Indian we are used to along with the dinner theater entertainment of the woman in the house next door - she was standing in front of the window with just a shower cap on-eek.  More tomorrow.