16 June 2022. 0735 start after a porridge breakfast. The Tan Hill Inn hadn’t opened up, so Fred managed to get water from a campervan owner, who also kindly gave us a cup of tea before starting. We heard later in the day from another walker, Steve, who stayed in a room at the inn that there was chaos at breakfast as the chef had slept in.
At 1020 we had covered the Sleightholme Moor stretch (fortunately drier than its reputation) and had reached God’s Bridge, a natural rock bridge, which was about a third of our day’s distance. After a 40 min test we crossed the A66, via a tunnel, over Cotherstone Moor to Blackton Reservoir, reputedly the half way mark on the trail. As this is day 10 and I am aiming to complete it in 17 days, the daily distances will get a bit longer. We had a long lunch break at the reservoir (1305-1425). Steve caught us up and I pushed on alone for the last stretch, skirting Harter Fell, arriving at the Middleton campsite at 1730. 27km but it felt longer in the heat. Definitely the warmest day so far. Fred and Okey joined me on the campsite 30 mins later. Fish and chips in Middleton (10 minute walk from campsite) and some food shopping at the Co-op which was open until 2200.
The Interconnected View 