Steve and Steff's Honeymoon trek

Day 5 : Bampton to Orton

Dunno what happened to my blog yesterday, but we had a superb day. The RAF laid on a great show with Tucanos, Typhoons, Hawks and Tornadoes flying around our ears.
Today only differed in the scenery department. Get past the M6 and the landscape flattens and you are suddenly in moorland instead of mountains. Oh! And the lack of Golden Eagle near Patterdale — now he was a big lad.
A thanks to the landlord at the George, who got us a drink, and to Lillian, who runs our B&B for her card and donation. I tell you — people are so generous.
If anyone ever visits Orton you must go to Kennedy’s hand made chocolate shop. The chocs are not just good.
Tomorrow we are back where we started in Kirkby Stephen. Nearly half way across! It was weird walking from the coast and going over the M6.
More tomorrow.

— Steve

Day 4 : Patterdale to Bampton

Radio silence.

Steve must be unable to get a phone signal tonight since I have not received a message. We’ll have to just wait and see what happened.

Day 3: Rosthwaite to Patterdale

A long, hard day. Arguably the most spectacular scenery so far, but wow so hard on the legs.
Fortunately it was a tad cooler than yesterday and the RAF very kindly kept us entertained. They have flown over so often it must have been in our honour.
We were followed by a cuckoo today. It may have been a different one each time, but it sounded the same. We called him Geronimo the tracking cuckoo.
Alfred Wainwright stayed at tonight’s B&B for 40 years running so lots of Coast to Coast history to it.
There is also a family of otters in the river at the back.

— Steve

Day 2: Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite

Another hot day.
Lots of kissing gates — how romantic.

We are up to 3 cattle grids, so that’s another 3 quid for Bolton Women’s Aid.
Had to dig deep today. My legs were like lumps of lead. Happily Black Sail hut provided a much needed cup of coffee then I was flying up the hills.

Steff’s ankles are bearing up, albeit very painful.

Thanks to Malcolm at the Shepherds Arms and Mike and Carrie for their donations. Still cannot believe people’s generosity.

Late entry today. Managed to find a wi-fi connection at our lovely hotel.

— Steve

Day 1: St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge

One very hot and sticky day.
We waved goodbye to the west coast, with the strange booms of high explosives in our ears, and set off for our pub in Ennerdale.
As expected at some point on the walk, I got us going the wrong way. Such is life.
It caused Steff a lot of agony with her dodgy Achilles tendons though – not a good move.
Got to scour tomorrows route for less steep ascents.

Got to the pub at 5 o’clock ready for showers and food.

15 miles down so only 180 to go :-)

Time for a beer.

— Steve