6 Aug 2013 – Yorkshire Dales

Mon 5Aug 2013 – Day 10 Reeth – Richmond 12.5m/20km  0700-1330hrs

Started early in the rains, heard that there is an interesting castle in Richmond and hoping to get early in to see the town. Wet path by the lone tree and at the church in Grinton by the river, but pretty even in the rains. Wet wet wet along the riverside but again dressed for this weather.

Slight uphill towards the village of Marrick and continuing on to Marske. Still wet, thus leaving the camera in the waterproof pouch and decided to push on to Richmond getting in with an afternoon to see this interesting town with a castle. Even managed to buy a rain-cover GBP7 S$14 for the backpack (now into Gator colour, blue raincoat with an orange backpack cover!). Got the hair cropped GPB16 S$32, so perhaps will not colour hair after this hike 🙂

Richmond is a market town and civil parish on the River Swale and is the administrative centre of the district of Richmondshire. This is the first town on the trail and has a pop of app 10,000. A fine Georgian town which has changed little through the centuries. The 11th century castle (entry GBP4.30 S$8.50) built originally in Norman times and the Church of St Trinity are the dominant features of the town.

View from the top of the castle into the Market Square. The cobbled streets around the square are a reminder of student days in Dublin’s Trinity College!

Friary Gardens and Tower

Not usually a pizza fan but La Piazza*** was recommended by the owners of Butt House in Keld and the thin crust pizza was good (1 small pizza+a glass of wine GBP12 S$24). The room at Willance House (reputedly the oldest remaining house in Richmond) is absolutely charming and now sitting at the bay window enjoying the rains and listening to the church bells chiming for 1800hrs as this blog is recorded. Today’s pix have all been taken in grey and rainy sky, thus not that good!

Night: Mon 5Aug at Willance House Frenchgate Richmond. Room with a view and bathroom attached+breakfast+packed lunch GBP60 S$117

Some people create their own storms, then get upset when it rains – unknown