Day 36, Kettlewell to Gargrave

Summary
Today's distance: 20.5 km (12.7 miles)
Distance covered: 861 Km (553 miles)
Distance to go: 767.3 Km (476.8 miles)

Report
Left Kettlewell in light drizzle on a quite road heading south running along the east side of the River Wharfe until I reach Conistone where I crossed the river and joined the B6160. This was a rather busy road and I didn’t feel particularly safe. After about 1 ½ miles I was able to turn off onto a path to Skirethorns. I got slightly lost here, mistaking a permanent caravan park for the camp site. Finally got it sorted out and headed on to Threshfield Moor. The weather had improved by now though remained overcast. What initially started as a good 4 wheel track disappeared into a featureless heather landscape with no discernable path. I had to navigate using GPS to my turning point at Lane Head where the track was visible again. I headed south eventually joining a minor road to Hetton, where I had a snack in the pub. I then followed a slightly busier road to Gargrave, which needed care walking around the bends

At Gargrave I headed to the camp site to book in. I had to go to the co-op to get money from a machine to pay the campsite. I wanted to phone an old school friend (Derek) who lives fairly near here – too noisy with traffic outside so phoned inside the co-op while I did my shopping. I left a message on his answer phone. When I went to the till to pay, who should be there but Derek, though not as a result of the phone call! He had been to the campsite looking for me and they had directed him to the co-op. He shouted me a meal in the pub and we had a great time catching up on our old school days.

He also gave me another old school friends’ number (Pat) who I contacted and hopefully she and 3 other friends from school will join me for part of the walk tomorrow.