Day 7 Coast to Coast Orton to Kirkby Stephen

Day 7 pictures

The day started with overcast yet fine weather, and luckily most of our stuff dried out overnight.

We dragged our self away from the full English breakfast, and then proceeded to get bamboozled in Orton.
It took three attempts to find our way out, eventually stumbling on an old man going into the church who told us we were going in the right direction.
A bit of a trudge along the B6261, then up Knotts Lane, past a stone circle (see pictures) which was somewhat under whelming.

Knott Lane Slog

It was then a day to follow stone walls, swinging from one side to the other through gates and over stiles.
Generally over heath or fells, usually quite sodden and soggy, with mud patches, through and around flocks of sheep and even some horses.
The rain threatened, and it was on with the jackets, which of course makes for hot walking.
The track eventually crossed the intriguingly named Scandal Beck via a stone bridge where we sat for lunch.

Scandal Beck Viaduct

This looks down the beck to a very fine viaduct that like much of England is now not used, however is managed by the Yorkshire Viaduct Association or some such organisation. Beat that!
It was then more stone walls, with the Eden Valley, into which we were walking filled with a persistent rain cloud, which luckily failed to march our way.
It was only on our approach to Kirkby Stephen that the heavens opened and our relatively dry day ended in a soaking.
Our accommodation is a fine Georgian home with more stairs and levels than you can imagine. I have been consigned to the garret once more, on my own; at least it is on the same level as the toilets.
We are here two nights, so there is no rush in the morning
Kirkby Stephen, pronounced Kirby Stephen, is a delightful little town with a main street with about four pubs and a number of other stores including a pharmacy!!
It also has some resident red parrots that a local has as pets and lets them fly free some of the time. They have taken a liking to a chimney over the Manchester Unity Society and screech at the passers-by.  
We had dinner at the Black Bull, along with other walkers who we meet and pass, or pass us on and off all day.

They are all doing the C2C and we will probably meet up with them on many occasions again