5/31/15 Robyn

Lovely omelette breakfast at the B and B this morning. Nice change from the full English Breakfast. Spent lots of time in fields and had to find a spot for lunch among the dung. Luckily we had our rain gear on again although it was another off and on day of sprinkles and wind. 

Here is the lunch spot. 

Made it to Orton and The George Hotel and after refreshments they took us to a guest cottage they had arranged for us. FUN! Had a lovely dinner at the George. I got the LAST lamb shank and it was superb. Although reminded me of the lamb that escaped from the rest today. 

Kirkby-Stephen to Orton

31May2015 - Before getting to today's walk what a surprise we had last night. Came back to the Jolly Farmer B&B and there was Ray Bentley in the sitting room. Sara and I met Ray last October while waiting to catch the ferry from Cherbourg, France to Portsmouth, U.K. He advised us the ferry went to Poole. Long story short, he invited us to stay at his place at Weymouth. Saved us a 90 mile ride, in the dark, on the wrong side of the road, in pouring rain. Anyhow, I gave Ray our itinerary for the C2C and he surprised us and rode up on his GS (a Beemer). Great seeing him again, now we have to get him over to Reno to ride.

We left this morning at 8:45, hiked the 13 miles to Kirkby-Stephen, arriving at 15:30. About 2,300 feet of elevation gain but no rain to speak of. Tomorrow is an 'easy' day because the day after tomorrow is a 17 mile killer with an eight mile steep climb.

5/30/15 Robyn

Squelchy and UP UP UP were the themes today. After we left Thwaite we had some beautiful views of the countryside. 

We were still following the river which gave some beautiful views. 

Then we got to the boggy areas. That's where the squelchy came from and I was thankful for waterproof gaiters. Since we are heading east to west instead of the normal west to east, we had the added challenge of a lot more uphill besides the usual west wind. We had a wonderful farm along the way that offered scones and tea as we made our way up to the Nine Standards. The chickens there really seemed to like Jeff. 

 The Nine Standards are cairns that are from the 17th century and it was very cool once we arrived at the summit. The boggy moors was like I imagine walking on the moon. 

When we arrived at Kirkby Stephen at our B and B, I loved the flower boots. 

5/29/15 Robyn

Here we are all set for our first rain day. It actually was on and off all day. Of course when the guys took their rain gear off, it started again! It was a wonderful day in Yorkshire Dales National Park and following the Swale River. 

Still love all the walls and sheep. 

 Stopped at a wonderful tearoom again for lunch. 

Then on Muker and to the Swaledale Woolen shop before ending up at our destination in Thwaite where we had a wonderful dinner. 

Thwaite to Kirkby-Steven

30 may 2015 - Can't believe our luck, another blue sky day on the C2C. We departed at 9:45 and got to the Jolly Farmer B&B at 18:00 for a 15.3 mile day. Stopped at a farm in the middle of nowhere for tea and scones, then a four mile slog up through bog to Nine Standards. The highlight was the four mile down hill from Nine Standards to Kirkby-Steven.

Reeth to Thwaite

29May2015 - The Cambridge House B&B provided the best breakfast yet for the trip so we weren't on the C2C until 9:30. Made a wrong turn leaving town so put in about another half mile. The rest of the day we basically followed the River Seale to the West until we reached Mucker. After a brief stop at the Swaledale Woolens shop (it hasn't changed since we visited it 19 years ago) we turned off the C2C route and took the Penine Way trail up to the Kearton Country Hotel in Thwaite. By taking the 'river route' we avoided the high ground with the high wind and rain. We did get some rain but less wind and the chance to have lunch at the tea shop in Gunnerside. This route made our 11 mile day a 14 mile day but it was worth it. We arrived in Thwaite at 17:30 so had time to clean up, and warm up, before dinner.

Today we crossed the halfway point of our 192 mile trek.

5/27/15 Robyn

Fun rest day in Richmond. Walked around the city some and mainly took it easy. 

Especially loved all the beautiful flowers. 

Then off to a French Restaurant for a wonderful dinner. 

Then a fun light show in the back yard of our B and B.