Return of the Redeye – Kirkby Stephen

A late night and a few beers and I’m red eyed Dave from Sheffield and I drove a baker’s van. Thanks Benny. Goodbye to Maggs and Che picked me up at 11am. We made it up to our Cumbrian campsite in Kirkby Stephen before you could blink.

I’ll start climbing again with a (lighter) rucksack tomorrow but today is resting and recuperating. The campsite was beside a river which we walked along. There’s one of Che’s favourite wild swimming spots there.

The limestone bed is clear of pebbles for the most part so it’s perfect for a dip barefoot.

Then we followed the river downstream to a drop where a cave had collapsed resulting in river mayhem, even in today’s drought.

The path then followed an old railway route along a hillside well above river level. Including great views from two old viaducts (of your dreams). Thanks Van.

Then we meandered down into the centre of Kirkby Stephen, crossing an ancient bridge en route.

With an ancient sister hanging around.

It’s a nice town, but very linear. The road back to the campsite on the edge of town was a mile and we were looking forward to barbecued whole sea bass, which Che cooked to perfection. Hooray!

And by 10pm it was bedtime. I was ready.

Night night.