Day 11 High Force to Dufton

 We left the high force hotel a little bit of luxury for us  

We  returned along the path to the point on the Pennine Way that we left last night. Soon we arrive at the immense high Force waterfall which is a magnificent display power and white water. It was probably less impressive than it is often due to the Dry Spell, it usually has a double waterfall is only one side was falling today but still mighty impressive, here’s just a few of the pictures we took

,soon we cross the river Tees at Cronley Bridge where the landscape changes and we are between rising cliffs

We now walk along the boulder strewn ankle twisting margins of the river of falcon Clints tricky terrain to walk on.

Occasionally we get to a boggy bit and have boardwalks which seem like a treat. 

Eventually we made it to a huge waterfall called cauldron snout

We now have a rocky scramble up the side of the thundering falls, very exciting

until we get just below Cow Green Reservoir , then passed through a farm yard climb along rasp Hill then walk through some very isolated and boggy areas open valley and follow Maize beck which is a delight

We cross the bridge and you realise how low the river level is

but quickly this becomes forgotten when we reach the highlight of the day. High Cup Nick suddenly dropped away from front of us in a textbook ‘U’ shaped , Valley rimmed with strata of hard rock, from the head of the valley maize beck trickles down this impressive scooped out bowl of a valley it was a genuine feast for the eyes. The photos don’t do it justice. It was a little bit windy but we still could not help stand and admire.

We walk along the side of the valley 

we then had 4 miles along an old track all downhill with superb panoramic views

into Dufton , where we had a swift pint in the Stag Inn

from here we transferred to Appleby for our B&B Bondgate House where we had a lovely reception. we walked to the local pub for a meal a fantastic hard day. Todays route was 17.5 miles

We may be slow but are determined to complete this very tough challenge 

We now prepare ourselves for the tough day to follow.

 

Day 10 Baldersdale to High Force

 We started the day in a very subdued mood with Faith taking Merlin home and as we left our accommodation it was raining. However we are doing this for Mental Health Charity and walking is also good for the mental health and by the end we were in a much better frame of mind and elated with the news we had smashed the £9,000 barrier. 😲

By the time we had returned to where we left the path yesterday and took the traditional selfie

Within a few minutes it stopped raining and the coats were off. It soon became very hot and was sapping our energy so relieved this was our shortest day of the whole walk just 13 miles. .

After yesterday‘s squelchy bogs, it was quite nice to leave Baldersdale on firm ground it is always good to see the hay bails and farmers cutting the hay fields you know the weather is going to be good 

We passed between two reservoirs at Blankton Bridge

. From here we passed Hannah‘s Meadow and the historic barn. Part of the legacy of Hannah Hauxwell has been the preservation of her farmland which has been given the status of a study area for Meadow grasses and wildflowers We cross Mickleton moor with several gap styles and sprung gates some difficult to negotiate

We see Grassholme Reservoir bridge which we cross

. From the reservoir we walk uphill and through a farm and are happy to find a tuckshop and honesty box by the path luckily we brought some change, so invested in chocolate bars and drinks

we now have to go over Harter Fell. It’s quite a very pleasant route.

Weather had now turned hot and we were already feeling tired As we drop down, we can see the view of Middleton in Teesdale

when the path reaches the bridge over the river Tees we decided to take the opportunity for a small detour into Middleton in Teesdale to stock up on some vital provisions.

First couple of miles out of Middleton has a tedious series of styles far too many trees impair the long views but the river is ever present on the right providing adequate compensation. Occasionally getting lovely views 

After crossing many of these styles we felt it was like an assault course we were getting very warm and stopped on a small bridge for a photo in a cooler spot.

Eventually we arrive at Wynch Bridge

at low force there’s an impressive double waterfall, but Not as impressive as normal due to the dry weather

about a mile from Lowforce will leave the by crossing the river to reach our accommodation the High Force Hotel

We finished on a big high after getting a little video from Faith of Merlin moving without restriction. 

As always many thanks for all the amazing sponsors and support 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/steve-jane-kirsty-1704720779976?

Day 9 Keld to Baldersdale

 

We leave Keld Lodge very good accommodation and dropped back down into the village to meet where we left the path yesterday. The River is low but there is still some beautiful small waterfalls.

Then we have the inevitable uphill client to start the day of Kiston Hill. We look back at Keld

This leaves up to Stonesdale moor where the track is quite thin but not too difficult to follow we can see in the distance nine standards rig but too far away to photograph this track goes on for about 4 1/2 miles

before we can see the iconic Tanhill in the highest pub in Britain. We are Halfway of our challenge here.

Typical was too early for alcoholic drink, but just had to pop inside to have a look , very peaceful and homely place from Tan Hill we have very boggy indistinct paths to follow. We’ve been warned about those more and it’s extreme Boggs luckily it wasn’t too difficult to pass due to the dryer whether we’ve had recently we have to follow Posts to try and navigate through as the path is very difficult to see

 occasionally the path improves the stream because it drains into the river called fuming beck now going through  Sleightholme Moor walking is level and fairly easy-going even though it’s still in a boggy area

continue on this path until we reach intake bridge which was actually the only place we could stop and sit for lunch

 from here it’s an easy track then pass a couple of fields included this bull

More Moorland eventually  leads to a place called Gods bridge close to what I think  is a lime kiln.

from here we have a bit of a climb which got us puffing and panting although it wasn’t far up to the road, we cross the A66 using an underpass tunnel  this was quite a relief because we did see from distance how busy the road was

here Hill climb through more moorland by this time we’ve got quite fed up  of moors as it was becoming a little bit repetitive so we were extremely relieved to see the  Blackton reservoir in the distance because we knew the end of our route was at Baldersdale by this reservoir ,

here was an amazing help yourself shop at Clove Lodge.  we were picked up from taken to Cotersdale for our accommodation. The Fox and Hounds Very nice meal and comfortable place to stay.

this is where our biggest disaster of the walk so far happened and Merlin developed a limp so we’ve had to make the very difficult decision for our eldest daughter Faith to collect Merlin to take him home with all a bit sad at this moment