Date: Monday 23rd July 2007
Mileage: 10 1/2 miles
Weather: Sunny and warm until 3:00pm then a downpour
We left Reeth at half past nine in glorious sunshine. Just before the Nuns' Steps near Marrick we came across a farmer bringing his sheep down from the moors. The whole family was involved plus, of course, the sheep dog. He was so good at his job - rounding up the runaways without being told and very alert. We met up with one of the American guys. He's still plodding along with his large pack.
The Nuns' Steps were 375 stone steps up the hillside from the priory (now an outdoor activity centre) to the village. Apparently it was a penance for the nuns - not a penance for me though - I trotted up them like a mountain goat - must be getting fit at last.
It was a very easy walk into Richmond and we arrived in the market square at half past one. Hungry as usual so D suggested a Gregg's lunch - what a good idea - cheese and onion pasties danish pastries and doughnuts which we ate on a bench in the square - lovely. Richmond is very busy which is quite a shock after all the peace and solitude of the past week. Cars and coaches, road signs, traffic lights, milling crowds, every type of shop you could possibly need, a castle, a fast flowing river, ice-cream van - sensory overload! Richmond is very hilly, the streets down to the river are very steep. Luckily our B&B is only half way down the hill and has a view of the river. It was a short walk uphill to our chosen restaurant. Yes, restaurant - not a pub - we went to a very nice Italian place in the main square. Dean Martin crooning in the background, red wine and pasta - perfect.
The Nuns' Steps were 375 stone steps up the hillside from the priory (now an outdoor activity centre) to the village. Apparently it was a penance for the nuns - not a penance for me though - I trotted up them like a mountain goat - must be getting fit at last.
It was a very easy walk into Richmond and we arrived in the market square at half past one. Hungry as usual so D suggested a Gregg's lunch - what a good idea - cheese and onion pasties danish pastries and doughnuts which we ate on a bench in the square - lovely. Richmond is very busy which is quite a shock after all the peace and solitude of the past week. Cars and coaches, road signs, traffic lights, milling crowds, every type of shop you could possibly need, a castle, a fast flowing river, ice-cream van - sensory overload! Richmond is very hilly, the streets down to the river are very steep. Luckily our B&B is only half way down the hill and has a view of the river. It was a short walk uphill to our chosen restaurant. Yes, restaurant - not a pub - we went to a very nice Italian place in the main square. Dean Martin crooning in the background, red wine and pasta - perfect.