Day 33 Barnard Castle to Reeth

Summary
Today's distance: 25.8 km (16 Miles)
Distance covered: 799.8km (497.0 Miles)
Distance to go: 828.5km (514.8 Miles)

Report
Cold Chinese takeaway is not the most appetising of breakfasts!. I struggled through half, then set off to the bridge that would take me to Barnard Castle. I met someone walking her dog and she told me of the Castle Café which does cooked breakfasts all day and are open from 7 am. She also let me leave my backpack in her garden while I went off to get more breakfast.

I walked on roads to Boldron and then headed south and crossed the A66 into Kilmond Wood. I then took a path to a minor road, crossed the Greta River and headed towards ‘The Stang Forest’, still keeping to the road as some of the farm tracks are hard to find. At a height of 291 metres a path crossed the road, which I took heading south. I thought that this would be OK as I could see a small wood in the distance to give me my bearings. The path wasn’t particular clear but I eventually reached Garnthwaite farm. Finding the path from the farm to the Stang forest was tricky. My map showed the path on the east side of the farm, but it was on the west. I met a couple of cyclists who said the track through the forest was quite easy to follow – and it was quite visible. However on leaving the forest following the track was more tricky. I followed it to the 416 m level where the track split. The one going east looked well defined but not the SE one which I wanted. After much battling over burnt heather and boggy ground I eventually found the track I was looking for. It was almost non existent, so I decided to follow 4 wheel drive tracks and small roads. This added another 2 kilometres to the days walk but really simplified the navigation. I had excellent weather and great views on top of the moor. You descend into Reeth from old mine workings. I met Jeff and Ali there – we had a good chat and they very kindly gave me 2 pounds for the charities.

I arrived at the camp site about 5.30 pm, (9 ½ hours walking today), tired but not as exhausted as I was yesterday. (Forgot to mention yesterday that I broke the arm on my prescription specs!). I have pitched my tent at the Orchard Caravan Park and the owner Paul very generously waived his fee for my pitch which I will donate to the charity. It is a very busy campsite, a lot of people doing the Coast to Coast walk. There are several tents even smaller than mine.

I had a shower and then had a meal at the Black Bull Inn, which was good, but they were very busy and after waiting 20 minutes for my pudding I gave up and went to the Buck Inn for a second guinness. It was much quieter and more relaxing. (A group was tuning up at the Black Bull, obviously the night’s entertainment).