Great English Walk Day 25 - 12 April 2018

Leyburn to Arkengarthdale
Walking 8.30am to 4.00pm
Distance walked today 10 miles
Distance walked so far 385 miles
Distance left 198 miles

A foggy day but, at least, no rain. We walked into and through Leyburn, taking the minor road north over Bellerby Moor. For much of the way, we heard regular gunfire, the map showing "Danger Area" and "Rifle Range" on either side of the road. There were too many lorries and other traffic for our liking and, at the first opportunity, we left the road for a track across the moor that went in the direction we wanted to go and, over Preston Moor, we were once again on the Great English Walk. The route was generally easy to follow, despite the fog. Various land features and buildings showed evidence of widespread lead mining in former times.

Emerging at Grinton, we called in at The Bridge for coffee, which then morphed into soup for lunch. We then passed through Reeth and took a minor road in the general direction of Kirkby Stephen. We were planning to head for a forested area called The Stang but, before then we went into The CB Inn (it stands for Charles Bathurst), a lovely remote pub, serving food and providing accommodation. We met such kind people there. Mandy, behind the bar, made a spontaneous and generous donation to Ucare and took a photograph of us for The CB's Instagram page.

We got talking to Lee Kettlewell, who lives nearby. On discussing our intended overnight pitch, he thought we might find it inhospitable and offered us a pitch in the field next to his house, where we are now. We returned to The CB for a meal this evening. It was a lot busier than this afternoon; obviously a very popular place. On going to pay, Mandy took us aback by saying that the management had agreed that the cost of our meal would be a donation to Ucare as well. I was quite overwhelmed. Such kindness. I've promised to get in touch when I get home. Thank you Mandy, the CB management and Lee.

Not such a great distance covered today but a camping opportunity not to be turned down.