Day 10 – Pennine Way – Hawes to Tan Hill Inn – Highest Highs

After a welcome rest day in Hawes and lovely hospitality from everyone at the Old Board Inn – a definite recommend for a stopover in Hawes – it was back on The Way again.

New walking trainers on board were tested with a wet start in full wet gear and were to be tested all day.

The long drag out of Hawes, passed Hardraw and up to Great Shunner Fell was made with fleeting showers, summiting the highest point on route so far in good time in cloud but with dry feet!

The descent to Thwaite via a flagged path and drovers road was wet and swift.

With good time made a pleasant stop was made at Keartons for tea and biscuits just as the heavens opened with the heaviest shower of the day arrived – perfect timing!

After the rain subsided the trek continued on a wonderful traverse over to Keld with stunning views down the valley.

Keld was to be our original stop however with the predicted poor weather forecast it was a wise decision to transfer from camping at Keld to a warm room at the Tan Hill Inn – the highest pub in Great Britain at 1732ft – a further 4 miles along the Way.

Continuing in consistent rain the Tan Hill Inn was welcome respite after our highest one day mileage clocked in with 17 miles – a day of highest highs – and dry feet!

Day 8 – Pennine Way – Horton in Ribblesdale to Hawes

After a night under canvas at the back on the Golden Lion pub in Horton in Ribblesdale day eight became a game of two halves.

Horton was a hub of activity on our arrival day with a 3 peak challenge event finishing at the pub and an Oxfam endurance event running through the village.

Laying in our tents we were entertained by an impromptu guitar singalong session from the bunkhouse – well at least I was, Paul was asleep within seconds of his head hitting the pillow!

With camp crashed in the morning Kathleen joined us after a cosy night at Hawes YHA.

Conditions were dry with a forecast of potential showers.

A strong start with full weight packs saw us gradually climb out of Horton on an old drovers trail. A pleasant walk rewarded a few miles up with panoramic views of the 3 peaks – Pen Y Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside with the Ribblehead Viaduct in the valley.

With Kathleen looking after us we had time for both elevenses and lunch, a real treat for Paul and I!

Just before lunch we reached our 100 mile mark which was marked by a photoshoot from Kathleen.

As lunch was finishing the weather came in and wet gear was donned for the afternoon and descent to Hawes.

Three sodden walkers made it into the market place, accommodation at the Old Board Inn Hotel found, to be welcomed by a surprise visit from Fiona and the girls which was fantastic!

Tim and Jon our fellow PWer’s joined us for more tales of the trail and another day was conquered!

Total mileage – 107 miles.