We set off from our B&B at 8.45am full of energy after a very restful afternoon and evening. Getting to Orton early yesterday was a blessing.
Today's 12 mile walk starts off with a gentle trek through fields of green, the only delay being the number of stiles and gates that need to be navigated.
We eventually get to Tarn Moor and the view becomes a bit more bleak with acres of heather and moorland ahead
Once we have navigated the moor we come to a road that seems to go on for ever, the sun is now high in the sky and melting the tar on the road, not the best walking weather. After a couple of miles of road we take a footpath to the left and enter some very interesting prehistoric settlement remains.
Our Aussie friends have now caught us up and we all set off together to complete the remaining 6 miles of today's journey. We stop for lunch at Smardale Bridge and search for the mysterious 'giants graves' in the fields.We leave Smartdale Bridge and catch site of the viaduct in the distant
The walk to Limekiln Hill is very pleasant and we make good time on the pasture land where there are plenty of earthworks to look at
The final leg of the day to Kirkby Stephen takes us under the Carlisle to Settle railway, through a farm yard and into the town to our lodgings at The Jolly Farmer.
The Jolly Farmer is all that a B&B should be, tea and scones on arrival, clear instructions from the land lady (obviously ex military!) and a very comfortable bed.
We are having dinner with our friends this evening and finish the day with a few beers and the odd bottle of wine!
Tomorrow we have a long day ahead of us as we climb over Nine Standards Rigg on our way to Keld and the mid point of our coast to coast walk.
