Day 9 - Reeth to Richmond - 10 1/2 miles

The Fair on the village green in Reeth

Reeth was quiet and cloudy as we left around 9am and made our way out of the village along deserted roads to our first port of call, Marrick Priory, a Benedictine nunnery built in the 1100's, now an outdoor recreation centre for children. Across the road and through Steps woods we came to the Nun's Steps linking the priory to the village of Marrick.

We came out at the top of the steps and stopped to talk to a woman walking her Border Collie, Jill who we fell in love with. England is a dog lovers paradise as people take their dogs with them everywhere.

Jill's house in Marrick in a converted chapel

Old Church Door - converted church of St. Andrew's Marrick

We plodded on along the road and into fields and came across these signs.

Some encouragement!

And this next to it

On we went through fields of cows and sheep passing Nun Cote Nook Farm and a little bridge over a beck and on to more fields of cows before coming out on the road leading steeply down into the village of Marske.

Resting on the bridge going into Marske

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Marske Church

There was a sign advertising snacks for sale at the church so we bought some chocolate and crisps and ate them on a bench in the village. The off again through more fields of sheep. Sheep usually run away as soon as you get near them but this one was totally oblivious to our passing.

So sleepy

Next came the only real hike of the day up to the top of Applegarth Scar, a messy climb up through lots of sloppy mud and our boots were caked with it at the top. We walked along a cart track and came upon these beautiful old yew trees.

We took the river route into Richmond but somehow got slightly lost and ended up having to force our way along an almost non existent path that ended with us trespassing on someone's land and climbing over fences in order to make it to the road.

Burred to death!

Eventually the road led us into Richmond and after pondering our map for a bit we finally found our B&B. 

Riverview 

We're looking forward to a day off tomorrow and tonight we're meeting up with my sister-in-law, Sue and her husband Chris who've driven up from Kent to see us.