Kirkby Stephen to Keld, Day 6 - 13 miles

Felt tired this morning, but only cos of a stupid resident waking me up at 00.50 am. Had to go down and say a few choice words. She was all apologetic and very drunk. I wasn't impressed! Good start to the day, but it wasn't a long day, so I wasn't going to let her spoil it for me.
Set off just after eight and ambled down the main street in Kirkby Stephen. Think is the only place I am no too impressed with. But you can't have everything.
I had two choices on this walk, to aim high for The Nine Standards (no-one knows why they are there and what for, so if anyone can enlighten me please)or to bypass it. The moors up there are extremely boggy and quite hazardous to cross, and walkers have been known to fall in up to their waist! Or, do I take the easy route and go on the alternative. Black clouds were looming ahead too. It took me a while to climb, a total of 2000 feet today, but the higher I went the more the clouds moved on, so what the heck, will go to these Standards. The sun actually came out for the rest of the day. I have been blessed with the weather this last week.
Walking pole to the ready - testing stick to see how deep my feet will go - I caught my first glimpse of them. And hiked up yet another fair climb. But that should be the last highest climb, I will be over the Pennines after that.
Think I led most of the way, was everyone having a lie in? Think they were starting later after the long haul of previous, but you know me, can't stay in bed longer than I have to!
Reached the top with not much mud, but then again it has been one of the driest weeks here for a while, and had a good look at these odd pile of stones.
Three people arrived who I met on a previous day, don't know their names, but we got on ok. Exchanged cameras and took each other's photos. Have to prove I have actually been walking and not holed up in an obscure hotel somewhere just reading a book!
They carried on before me, dogs off bounding. Next came the hard bit, walking through the boggy ground and negotiating where to put my feet. If a grown man can sink to his waist, then I had no chance with my little legs!!
Took my time and finally made it through. Then I had a bit of a downhill stretch, but it was quite pleasant. You had to cross a stream zig-zagging over it as it meandered its way down.
Then my reward was in sight. The farm at Ravenseat is well known for catering walkers. The lady comes and serves you with hot drinks and warm home made scones. I had by then caught up to my three friends of earlier in the day.
They confessed to walking a little slower in case I vanished into the bog! Thought that was very nice of them. We sat for a good half hour in the warm sunshine filling our tummies with our well deserved treat.
Wasn't much further to walk though after that, so what was the rush. I am supposed to be on holiday, so what the heck. Got the rest of the day to myself after anyway cos there is nowhere to go. An isolated village, and my stay for the night was in a remote farm. We had all lost mobile signal earlier in the day too and would have none till next day.
Carried on and walked a bit quicker - guilt over the indulgence!
I arrived in Keld around 2.30 and made for the phone box. Had forgotten what to do in one of those things - that's what mobile are for isn't it - how do they manage without them here?
Phone the farm and Gwenda said she would come and collect me. She arrived in less than no time and took me back to the farm. They breed pedigree Swaledale sheep.
Later she went to collect the other four people who would be staying the night, Dai and Peggy - guess where they were from, and Doug and Richard from Winchester.
Dai and Peggy are doing the coast to coast but east to west, so we exchanged a few tips. The other two guys are doing some of the Pennine Way.
Gwenda made us a lovely meal, and after we all sat chatting for the evening in fron of a lovely coal fire. We just chilled and relaxed. It was a lovely evening.
We were all getting drowsy by ten so off to bed we all went. Guess what?
I slept for 7 - yes 7 hours! The bed was the comfiest I have ever been in, and the place was the quietest ever. Will definitely go back there. They get my best rating of my accommodation chart.