Day 7 of C2C walk, 13 miles strenuous.

Slightly later start than Dave the guide wanted due to delays with breakfast. Out through Kirkby Stephen gently up a path then more steeply up paths and even more steeply up a road. From the road steeper still up a peaty rocky path to 9 Standards – high point of 515 metres on the watershed for rivers flowing west or east. No one knows why or by who the Standards were built. They look like giant well constructed cairns. Clear day so fabulous views back towards the Lakes District and over the Pennines but windy and cold.

Coming down was HARD. Across peaty bogs picking our way down, including across the appropriately named peat hags. A few slips and spills, including John.  The peat traps and water because underneath is a layer of impermeable stone so boots become very wet.

Lunch out of the wind in a small valley then followed the Whitsunday Beck to the River Swale  and along the road to Keld. Stopped at a farm for cream tea. John took another fall into a stone wall on the way down a rocky path into Keld. Cut skin on kneecap as a result.  A bit sore but otherwise ok.  He’s in danger of consuming all of Dave’s medical kit!

Black Sheep real ale before tea.  Boots cleaned of mud outside and drying room put to good use.

Photos to come.