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Day 44 Keld to Bowes ( a new county, County Durham)

 

After the previous evening of thunder and lightning, we wondered what the weather had in store for us today.

We did not have to wait long before the rain started as Garry set out northwards from Keld and me and Alfie dashed back to the car. A few views looking back towards Keld, including West Stonesdale. 


       
Garry opted to use the road for the first section, rather than the Pennine Way, mainly because of the rain last night and the effect it would have on the pathway.

4 1/2 miles in and Garry took welcome refuge in the highest pub in the UK, the Tan Hill Inn. 



Reluctantly, Garry left the pub and set off across Sleightholme Moor, boggy in places but relatively easy to follow the Pennine Way pathway with a number of white markers. 



       

Garry followed Sleightholme Beck until it joined River Greta, just to the west of Bowes, where he met me and Alfie.


Me and Alfie had a few short stints of walking today. Initially we joined Garry leaving Keld, but headed back as soon as it started raining as we weren't prepared for rain! We drove onto Bowes, stopping briefly in Kirkby Stephens for a short wander, a few provisions and for a coffee for me and a sausage for Alfie. After our brief stop, we drove the rest of the way to Bowes, parked up and headed out to meet Garry.  We walked past the ruined Bowes castle  and then on to the Pennine Way. 

         

        

The pathway was well marked and Alfie controlled himself as we walked through numerous fields of sheep, crossing Sleightholme beck a couple of times by bridge.

             
 After 2 1/2 miles, we met Garry and turned back to head back to Bowes together. 


Garry walked nearly 13 miles today with just over 1,000 feet climb.


I've walked almost half of that today in 3 stints!

We've now walked out of the Yorkshire Dales and have arrived in County Durham, still using the Pennine Way to journey up towards Scotland.




Comments

  1. Phil (Veg)22 June 2025 at 10:46

    The sky looked pretty ominous today, but it didn't sound as if you got too wet. I've been to Tan Hill. It's quite wild and bleak up there. You must have gone near to the farm of The Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen as featured on the TV series? I'm following you each day on my AA road map. Thanks for the brilliant photos and blog.

    ReplyDelete

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