Day 3 - Keld to Reeth

Today sees my brother Peter leaving and the arrival of Richard from Leeds. Unfortunately, they don't get to say hello to each other as Peter gets a taxi (make that a mini bus all to himself) back to Hardraw at 9am to pick up his car. Richard isn't due until 9.30.

There is a problem! I haven't told Richard where I am staying, and there is absolutely no phone reception in the village. therefore, I am waiting in the pissing rain in the hope he is not late, or I'll get soaked. Luckily, Richard arrives only 10 minutes late, complaining as usual! Why did I not pay for a breakfast for him! Well, I did order a packed lunch, so I'm not that thoughtless.

Now remember dear reader, Uncle Richard suggested I would be playing catch up over the next 2 days. Here we have the superhero who has conquered Kilimanjaro (OK, by the softy Coca Cola Route), climbed Mount Blanc, Cycled 2,400 miles the length of New Zealand, and climbed the 3 highest peaks in the UK in 22.5 hours. Impressed? Well not if you saw this wreck of a specimen. Mr "oh I've got a stress fracture" and "please don't let there be any hills today", and "Sit down, walking with you is like chasing Roger Bannister" and "hold up a minute, I've got something in my shoe", and "don't wait for me, I've got a blister", and "not another style, I can't lift my leg up high enough to climb over". I even packed a knee brace for him, but luckily, he had his own, and this came on within 1 hour of the start!

Enough bleating, we did have a good couple of days despite the moaning.

We set off about 10am and I was intent on climbing up high and walk over the tops. This was for 2 reasons. Firstly, because 2 years ago, I did this same stage on the C2C, but went low along the river to conserve energy. I hate doing the same route twice. Secondly , because there is some really interesting industrial architecture on this route, with the remains of the lead mining industry. Oh, and good views.

 We start with the inevitable water fall. it seems like this route is centred  around my waterfall fetish, whereas my Dalesway walk was all about bridges.

 

We soon got up high and started to see some of the remnants of industry that made for good photo shots of man versus nature.

I told Rufus there were rabbits!

This was a great shot, but Rufus got in as well!

We soon came to yet more waterfalls:

We stopped for an early lunch as Richard was starving from not having had his breakfast! Here we are on the tops looking out at a spectacular view.

After yet another diversion across moorland on a non existent path, I descended into a small valley to see this amazing sight.

The Victorians didn't care what the buildings function. it had to be beautiful! 

Richard happy we have got back on track.

We climbed back up to the tops and had a rest at another ruined smelting mill. We basked in the sun for a well earned break.

Then onto the last of the ruined smelting mills on today's route.

We then hit the road and climbed on and on to the top of the high point for the day. It was great to get off the road and head across the moor. We eventually dropped down to the river and followed the path into Reeth to arrive at the Pub for tonight's stay, and a welcome pint.