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Published: August 12th 2015
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The journey begins!
Dipping boots in the Irish Sea, a C2C tradition Well this blog is well overdue, but walking is taking up most of our time at the moment! walking, eating, sleeping and a few drinks to help us along. Can't believe we have completed 10 days of the Coast to Coast already, and over 1/2 of the distance! Here's a quick summary of the walk so far, and will catch up on earlier travel stuff later.
Sunday 2nd August - Set off from our lovely hostel in the Scottish Borders, dropped the rental in Edinburgh, met up with the others at Carlisle and took the 2nd train together to Whitehaven for St Bees. Train was crammed with walkers and assorted others. Our first night was spent catching up on goss and checking out St Bees, got caught up with evensong at the lovely old church by the enthusiastic vicar, maybe saw potential to add to his wee flock of half a dozen! Steak and ale pie at the pub just like Mum used to make, delicious.
Monday 3rd - St Bees to Ennerdale - our first day of the walk! A fine breezy day, collected the customary pebble from the Irish Sea to take across to the other coast,
and set off up onto the cliffs high above St Bees, a long walk past the lighthouse then turned inland. Dent Hill was a challenge, especially the steep descent. Finally got to Ennerdale Bridge about
5:30, but Joy, Blu and I had another 5 miles to get to our YHA accommodation, walking alongside Ennerdale Water. Got in about 8, very weary, Blu so tired he almost fell asleep over dinner! Long day, but we were now 5 miles ahead for tomorrow! Clocked up over 30 km.
Tuesday 4th - Ennerdale to Borrowdale - drizzling and cool today, headed off feeling refreshed, met Wayne from Derby and Ana from Berlin and walked with them for the day. Stopped for a welcome cuppa at Black Sail Hostel, the most remote YHA in England. Then a steep and difficult ascent up through rocky terrain, the hills streaming with waterfalls and a fierce wind blowing the water across the track! Descent past Honister Slate Mine was very steep, and Blu was hobbling down as he had an injury froM the day before, and then stood in a hole, luckily could still walk. Borrowdale YHA was a lovely surprise, with a cafe and bar
and delicious meals. Had a great evening with Maudie, John and our new walking friends. Ana did some serious work on Blu's ankle as she is an OT and had special kinesio tape - so lucky to have our own specialist on tap! Another big day, 18km over a big 2000 foot climb.
Wednesday 5th - Borrowdale to Grasmere - another drizzly day, but cleared beautifully after lunch. Headed up past farmland and up another massive hill, got to the top and it was very foggy, almost got lost but put our heads together with some other walkers, and made it to the path. Our descent was down a big valley, very boggy, crossing streams and there were many waterfalls down the hills, but the views were great and we made it into Grasmere about 4:30, our accommodation was lovely, a large old house, of course it was right at the end of town! Had dinner at the Red Lion and caught up with the others, very slow service. Only about 15kms today but very hilly, climbed up to 2000 foot again today! Are we mad? Funnily enough, we are enjoying it very much, what a great experience, and
it is such fun meeting new people from all over the world, and sharing the pain with them.
More soon!
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denidax
Deni, Dax and Ella
It looks beautiful
The Coast to Coast walk has been on my TO Do list ever since I heard about it a few years ago. It sounds like a great hike through beautiful landscapes. I am glad I found your blog! Deni