Day 8 - Keld to Reeth

Such was the elation amongst us on reaching Keld, the half way point, that we held a small celebration last night to mark the event! :-

This is a view towards Keld from almost the head of Swaledale.  A bonny place, yes, but it doesn't have the grandeur of Borrowdale! :-

There are two options on leaving Keld.  One is to go over the high ground shown on the horizon at the centre of the above photo.  The other is to take the longer route over lower ground following the River Swale.  The higher ground has been ravaged by hundreds of years of lead mining, as far back as Roman times.  Alfred Wainwright paints a bleak picture of this area in his Coast to Coast Guide.  The picture below shows the results of lead mining on Tan Hill, not far from Keld.  This is bad enough, but the area the route goes through is far worse. :-

The river route is more scenic and pleasing to the eye which is why our walkers chose to go that way.  The fact that it would be easier on the feet and legs had nothing to do with it!

So off they went, as usual leaving me to clear up the mess they left behind! :-

They soon encountered the first of many waterfalls on the River Swale.  Here's one.  Nice as it is it would be spectacular after a period of heavy rain. :-

Here's another. :-

And, yippee, another stone bridge!  OK, this is quite a graceful one as stone bridges go. :- 

You can see why Wainwright recommends this route.  There are many views like this along the river.:-

and many bucolic scenes like this. :-

Sifting through their photos for the blog, I found this!  Hey! What's this? A pub crawl? :-

Another tranquil view of the River Swale. :-

and another stone bridge!  Joe, you really need to get another interest in life! :-

This is Low Row where Joe remembers spending a family holiday about 20 years ago with Diane and the children. It's not very far out of Reeth. :-

From Low Row they soon reached Reeth.  This is the village green.  The white building in the centre, The Black Bull Hotel is where we are staying tonight. :-

Here's Joe standing at the door.:-

Apparently the sign is upside down because of a dispute, many years ago, between a former landlord, Bob Sykes, and the National Parks Authority. This is he. (Looks like Rasputin!) :-

He removed the rendering at the front of the hotel because it was crumbling and dangerous to passers by.  The NPA said that the original building would have been rendered and threatened legal action if it was not replaced.  Some local people turned the sign upside down in protest at the NPA's attitude.  It's been moved fom its original position, but still remains upside down.

The end of the day. :-

REETH TO RICHMOND TOMORROW, HEADING FOR THE LOW GROUND IN THE VALE OF MOWBRAY.  BUT FIRST A DAY OF REST.