25th May, 2012

There was a light mist in the Dale, I had woken at six but dozed until seven. I got out the pee bowl to spare me the premature exit from my cosy sleeping bag , carefully placing it outside and not mixing it up with my water bowl. I got the water on the gas for my tea and porridge.

Although damp and misty outside it was warm. I exited the tent to eat breaky then rolled the bag and mat and went through my routine of packing the sac. I had brought far to much stuff, but I had needed to know what my body could handle and I knew for the actual trip in August I will have to cut down or get alot stronger. It has been a shock to me how out of condition I have got. For most of the winter I have poured over maps, tried to get sponsors , and to liaise with various organisations. I had got computer lazy. I know now that I have to get fitter.

Since being made redundant from my job as a gardener/handiman eight months ago ,  I have noticed that my recent employment is not helping at all , my bod is not used to lethargy . I need to get my fitness back . That is not to say I am not fit in comparision to others, it is just I am used to being ultra fit and expect alot from myself. This is a wake up.

At 7.45 , packed ,I had a relaxed walk along the meandering beck , the sun having burnt off the morning mist, it was still, and only the odd flushed grouse seemed to be awake. The way marking posts were weather worn and in certain areas so was the path , winter had certainly taken its toll.

I felt good , feet felt ok and the pack seemed lighter apart from the odd wet peat spot I had to negotiate .  I passed the metal shelter next to a sheep fold and no doubt would of stopped if the weather had dictated otherwise.

Eventually I reached the wall with signpost indicating for me to move away from the beck and to meet up with the other routes Mr.Green and Mr. Red.I realise it is not the done thing to do the said route this time of year, apparently Aug-nov is the allocated time.  To my credit I did the blue route because of the camping prospects.
On the post, amongst a multitude of do's and do nots, was Ravenseat Farms cafe list. That posed a question, do I stop because I feel obliged to add to farm funds , or ignore the beckoning farm wife as I pass through the farm yard. Well after a fifteen minute walk I watched Mrs Farmers wife get into her car and ride away, closed sign in place . They obviously saw me coming .

I followed the coast to coast route via the farm yard unassaulted and continued passed various dale barns . These barns were in great condition , almost to good for my liking . A barn in Healaugh, about 10 miles east , in similar condition ,was going for £170,000 , madness. How lucky these folk are to live in such a stunning area.

I trundle through gate, stile, sheep pen , peering down deep chasm until I met a tired looking couple coming the other way, a cheery hello , is the Ravenseat cafe open ? I had to give them the 'no' when I passed ,' but you never know they may be open when you get there'-hope!

I continued on to the road , passed a old house on a track , abandoned , but probably housed someones mother , hardy dales folk.I know i should of taken the high track but I wanted to see the Wain Wath Force (falls), I so fancied a swim . The rest of the journey to Keld was by road, passed a yurt in a camp site, and a photo opportunity from the Park Bridge

Keld was a surprise , seemed swamped by churches , even a bearded priest sat outside reading . A cheery hello was exchanged by all. I was going to pass through without stopping  but as I desended into the village I passed a quaint farm cafe, with newly mowed grass and picnic tables. It said 'open', so looking into my noteless wallet and the £1.60 in its pouch encouraged me to lash out and spoil myself with two cold cans of coke. I put one in my pack and guzzled the other. Yum. I sat for a few minutes taking in the surroundings, clean , tidy , for want of a better adjective-nice.

Picking up my pack I followed the footpath to the junction where I would leave  the Coast to Coast and rejoin the Pennine Way. As the Coast to Coast dropped away to my left I started the gentle pale yellow primrosed climb to skirt Kisdon Hill. I was thankful for the shade of trees lining the initial stage, and a slight breeze air cooled me . As I gained a little height the path became more stoney encouraging me to keep my eyes on the path to avoid a fall. I realised I was walking on conglomerates of fossils, pausing briefly I  took a small slither with me.As if I didn't need more weight.

The path eased and opened out to a fantastic view looking east down the River Swale.From here I followed the signposts avoiding the Muker directions and onto the descent to Thwaite.Randy Green Hairstreak butterflies and Common Heath moths were on the wing in desperation of making up for the weather . I could see my van where I abandoned  it  2 days ago ,now baking in the sun , thankfully it was white. Always a relief to see it after a jaunt in the hills .

I walked via Thwaite and a short uphill to my van , peeled off my pack and boots and drove back down Swaledale to a sunny Richmond, shower and readjustment of plans.