I arrived at Kirkby Stephen station at 2:45pm after a delay of 10 minutes due to the train running over a Christmas tree! I walked the 1 ½ miles into town but when I reached the Spa shop it was closed due to an 'incident' with police inside. Fortunately there is a Co-op a little further along so I stocked up with provisions, including a Solereo, walked down to Frank's Bridge and sat by the river to eat it and stow away the rest of the food in my rucksack. It was 3:45pm by the time I set off. I passed through Huntley and on up past the quarry where I caught my first glimpse od the Nine Standards. It was sunny and cool with a fairly strong wind. The route seemed quite familiar and I made good progress reaching the Nine Standards by 5:15pm, where I sat and ate my sandwiches, Kit Kat and some dates as I was feeling very hungry. One of the 'Standards' gave shelter from the wind. I put on my gaiters and set off again across the boggy ground ahead. Along Whitsundale a heron flew majestically skywards. On reaching Ney Gill, a lovely secluded little spot, I discovered they had built a track and a car park to allow access for the 'dreaded motor car'!! Up until now I had remembered the route from my Coast to Coast but suddenly it was no longer familiar apart from a bridge and ford by a farm where I remembered taking a photo previously. I knew therefore I had definitely walked it but it was as though I had suffered from amnesia. It wasn't until I reached the road with the limestone scar alongside it tht my memory returned. It was 8:10pm when I reached the gate of the camp site. To my dismay a sign announced 'Campsite Closed'! It was another mile to the other site. On arrival I knocked and paid my £3.50 and was directed down to the river. Fortunately, at this time of year, there were no midges. What a difference to the last time I was here. I had it to myself. It was now almost 9:00pm. I had seen no one since Huntley apart from the lady at the campsite. I has a meal of soup, chili con carne, Smash and pineapple rings. By 10:00pm I was asleep in my tent. And then the air 'assault' began. First a low flying jet streaked across followed by a helicopter coming ever nearer. I new what to expect as I cowered in my sleeping bag and I was not disappointed. Soon it was so close and so low it sounded as though it would land on top of me. It didn't and it disappeared into the distance and silence returned.