Pennine Way - Day 10: Keld to Middleton-in-Teesdale

Almost half way

We had had a day of rest. 

Well a day of shopping, to avoid the still persistent casts and dogs. New and hopefully waterproof waterproofs were purchased. This walking can be expensive. Some home cooked food – a rest and we were duly shipped back to Keld. 

We drove back to Keld. Passing places we would walk past on the way. But we start where we finish.

Half Way

Keld didn’t look much better today but at least it had stopped raining. We had seen where we had to go. So off we set for a date with The Tan Hill Inn and the half way point. The half way point is conveniently positioned in the lounge of the Tan Hill Inn. 

Suspicious

42

Up we went onto Stonesdale Moor – and the endless opportunities for industrial archaeology.

That is falling down old holes. 

The going wasn’t too bad given the rain of the previous days. The route was visible and we made good time to the Inn.

As we approached the Inn we saw three obviously very expensive cars parked outside. 

Another bloody Waterfall

The Tan Hill Inn is Britain’s highest pub and is surrounded by a lot of nothing (no salt water or underground competition). Son, said with sincere hope in his voice ‘Look Top Gear are here’. I think secretly we were all hoping it would be true. 

But it turned out to be the local Lamborghini owners club out for a ride. A pity.

It was too early for lunch so we had a drink. Just to say we had and to celebrate the half way point.

We set off down Sleightholme Moor.

It was wet.

It was boggy.

It was MISERABLE.

Clouds threatened.

Finally, England.

This is just what I had promised and they weren’t happy. Can’t please anyone it seems. Daughter was leading, she looks at the map in the morning and simply remembers the way, without further reference to the map.

Not a bad talent.

A smile at least

There was so much water that we zig-zagged back and forth trying to avoid the wettest bits. This turned out to be a mistake. Daughter suddenly disappeared.

Well half of her disappeared.

Her bottom bit, from her waist down was under, I would like to say water but it was black with bits of peat and assorted other unpleasant things.

I threw off my rucksack and pulled her out.

MISTAKE!!!

No one had had the foresight to take a picture. So, the most memorable moment of the walk so far went undocumented.

Once we established that she was OK, not happy but OK, I considered putting her back in. For a photo and posterity, so to speak.

We stripped her down and she walked the rest of the day in only her waterproof trousers. But she walked – another 25km.  

We were impressed.

Are you sure...

It is fun. See.

Like a football match the rest of the day was divided into two halves. The half to the right rain. The half to the left blue sky. Us in the middle. Half wet. Except for Daughter, who was three quarters wet.

God’s Bridge. A natural bridge across a stream. A amazing sight. We tried to take a picture. But it doesn’t seem to do it justice.

God's Bridge

Eventually, we reached Middleton and my waiting father. Tomorrow is The Best Day of the walk.

We are tired – but not too tired. Carrying as little as possible. Day walking.

Guess which way the wind blows.

Two days behind plan but who cares.

Distance Walked	33km	215km
Start Point	Keld
End Point	Middleton-in-Teesdale
Via	Sleightholme Moor, God’s Bridge
General Comments Not Top gear Disappearing Daughter God’s Bridge

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