Day 9: Orton to Kirkby Stephen

Expectations

Another repeat of the 2014 route. 12.5 miles from The George Hotel in Orton to Old Croft House in Kirkby Stephen.

Should be a fairly easy day, boosted by knowing the Ls will be waiting for us in Kirkby Stephen, ready to inject new enthusiasm! Plus, rest day tomorrow.

Realities

Updated at next usable internet connection–which surely will be Kirkby Stephen? Yes–good wi-fi at the fabulous Old Croft House, which is giving Crookabeck Farm a run for its money as “best accommodation”. But more of that later.

The stats for the day: 13.70 miles (longer than planned because we decided to divert along Smardale Viaduct) and a meager 843ft elevation gain.

Woke up to sunshine–quite the contrasting weather day!

We had a reasonable breakfast at The George Hotel. Marveled at the boot pile…

And then set out…

First across farmland…

Pausing for some drone action…

Then along some country lanes…

It was a day of moor and moor hiking 🙂

When we reached Smardale Gill we decided to diverge from the official route, which goes down to the river, crossing at a beautiful stone bridge with a spectacular view of Smardale Viaduct, before climbing back up onto the moor. We walked that last time, but since then had found out that you can also walk across the viaduct. So that’s what we did, first dropping down onto the old rail bed.

Past the old lime kilns.

And on to the viaduct itself. Spectacular drone footage!

We then followed the flat rail bed for another couple of miles of quick walking. Took School Lane back to the official route. Probably added a mile or so distance to today, but saved us a bit of elevation gain.

The disused rail line passed under the still-in-use line to Kirkby Stephen that the Ls would be one later today.

Then dropping down to Kirkby Stephen via country lanes and fields. Nine Standards Riggs appears as a line of pimples on the hills ahead, but don’t show up clearly enough on the photos.

So much nicer arrival this time compared to last time, when we could see a rain squall as we descended, and ended up drenched in the final mile. This time, just more sunshine, though screaming muscles that were very glad to arrive at Old Croft House, and be greeted with an offer of tea and scones. Ahhhhhh.

The wallpaper behind D is astonishing. It looks exactly as though someone made 3D paper art and mounted it to the wall. We were all astonished by it.

Two Australians from Melbourne arrived and we exchanged travel tales over tea and scones. They’d walked all over the place! After this walk, they are heading for a 120km walk in the Black Forest in Germany.

Now off to meet the Ls for dinner and drinks at the Black Bull!! The full team is finally in place 🙂