End of Day 6

Today was supposed to be an easy 20 miles with roughly 350 feet of ascent. It didn't turn out that way....

The weather was persistent rain but thankfully little wind. We crossed the M6 and gaining a little height onto the subsequent low moors. These moors, though having their own bleak beauty, seemed almost featureless especially after the drama of the Lakeland Fells. Along with the weather conditions this made the walk a little monotonous.

I was also starting to get worried about Nicky. Within the first 7 miles she was lagging behind by some distance, stopping at least fours times to try and be sick. She admitted at one stage that her eyes were shutting while she was walking....! By the time we reached Orton Scar it was obvious that she was not going to make the full distance. A committee meeting was called while some food was eaten.

View from the disused Kiln beneath Orton Scar,
where we stopped for the committee meeting.

Keld is halfway and to keep to schedule we need to arrive there at the end of day 7. To cut the day short at Orton would leave about 23 miles to Keld the following day (day 7) including nearly 1700 feet of ascent. Possibly, for us, too much for one day. With some food down us it was decided that we should push on and cross Ravenstonedale Moor (just north of Newbiggin-on-Lune) and arrange to be picked up at around 2:30pm. Thus giving Nicky some time back at Sue and David's to catch up on some sleep during the afternoon.

So not a good day at the office. It has left us with approximately 17 miles to reach Keld tomorrow. This should be doable as long as Nicky has recovered enough over night.

Damage report:
Nicky, exhausted; Chris, tired; the old man, dare I say, feeling OK