Transition from Coast to Coast to Thames Path walk

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31 August 2019, Saturday
Transition from the coast to coast to the Thames Path walk.
Day 15 of travel.

I left Chuck, Ruth Ann and Jim at the Keld Lodge about 8 30 in the morning and was given a ride by Chris, the coast to coast Packhorse van driver, to Richmond. The three of them then set off on the coast to coast walk to the town of Reeth. About 4 weeks ago a flash flood came roaring down one of the roads from the mountains and nearly wiped out the community of Reeth along the Swale River. Their annual festival was held last weekend. The community rallied to clear the debris from the fairgrounds and the festival went on as scheduled. But at the lowest end of the valley along the Swale River you could see that many of the freestanding stone walls have been flattened and huge boulders and debris were scattered across the fields. Chris grew up in this area and pointed out the home where he was born the farm land as well as many of the sites along the community.

I arrived in Richmond about 10:40 well ahead of the schedule bus which I had planned to take from Keld at 1015. I was able to catch the 11 a.m. bus to Darlington and arrived there in time to catch the 12:07 train to Reading. The train trip was punctuated by a broken down train and a few delays but it was a good four hour trip. In Reading I checked in at the Hotel Ibis which is really kind of punk rock climate and found my room very comfortable.

As I was getting ready for bed around 9:30 I learned from Karen and Joe Finestead that the American flight 46 from O'Hare to Heathrow was delayed about two hours. This meant instead of arriving at 9 a.m. on Sunday they would be arriving at 11 a.m. on Sunday so I did not have to get up early the next morning.

No stats and Garmin forerunner 25 has stopped synching to my phone. Few photos for travel day.

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Photos

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Saying goodbye at Keld Lodge

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Funky decor at Ibis Hotel in Reading

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Lounge area at Ibis Hotel in Reading

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PriMart for replacement hat.