21 km (202.42 km) – Monday 11th July.

This morning we had a leisurely start so that I could go to the outdoor shop and endeavour to purchase some new waterproof boots. I found a perfect pair, as luck would have it, and kept them on after deciding they were the ones. We set off with a spring in our step; Joanne with her new poles and me with my new boots – the feel good factor of dry feet should never be underestimated. The first few hours were the same as the last four days; torrential rain and very little visibility but after lunch the sun came out over the valleys and slowly but surely it turned into a perfect afternoon with great views over the dales. We reached our highest point of the walk to date today at Great Shunner Fell, there is a feeling walking up on some of these moors of actually walking along the backbone of England. Towards the end of the day we stopped for coffee and scones in Thwaite; the prettiest settlement we have passed through. We were wishing we had stopped there for the night but I had already books us into The Keld Bunk Barn some 3 miles along the route. It was a long three miles, full of cake, tired and with the SUN (!!) beating down on us. Finally we arrived at the site of the bunk barns and luxury yurts. Our bunk room is delightful, we are on our won but there are another 5 hikers in our barn so all very sociable. The luxury yurts outside look lovely and I would recommend a visit to Keld to experience them. The next few days are easier than the last 8 and we have the added bonus that it is happier to be dry for a few days now. It was great having dry feet all day and looking forward to a few more dry days. Joanne’s knee continues to improve so that’s good news too.

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