Day 8: Keld to Reeth, 10 miles (Lisa’s Version)

Photos

The walk from Keld to Reeth was not my favorite even though the day started off well with beans and toast (I’ve said goodbye to the English breakfast), sunshine, and a field of ferns high above a river (which, as it turned out, we were not supposed to walk through). Our walk took longer than we thought thanks to a couple of wrong turns and a broad indistinguishable path over a mountain ruined by mining roads and gravel and “rushes” (where water is released to clear vegetation in search of veins of lead to mine). This warm and tedious walk was far behind us, in my thoughts anyway, when we reached Reeth and saw some friends drinking beers on an outdoor patio. They sent us straight to the ice cream shop. Rum Raisin and Mint Chocolate Chip made us so so happy as we sat on a bench and looked across the main square of Reeth, one of my favorite towns along the way. We stayed at the Hilary House and were greeted instantly by our host, Clive, who sprang to his feet when we saw us pass the living room window. I liked his parents, especially his dad with only one bottom tooth. Clive introduced us to his dog, Sam, his African Gray, Del, his cat, and all of his fish. It was obvious that Del was in charge of the household. Clive taught us extensive facts about African Greys and told us several of the things that Del likes to say. That night we could hear Del going through his portfolio of noises, including the beeping from a construction truck in reverse. We heard cat meows and dog barks, a variety of shrieks, we even heard him talking like Clive. We never heard him call the dog, “Sam, come here Sam….You stuuuupid dog!” although we were waiting and hoping.