More pics from Day 5

I had to make two slide shows from day 5.  I did feel better!

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/Cumbrian%20Way/?action=view&current=cf52c82d.pbw

Day 5

Yay!  I was able to walk-the whole 16 miles.  I know, Footpath said it was 12 miles.  Well, Footpath miles are always more than what they say!  Just so you know!  I love Footpath, but....

We started by Chester's-the tea room with the best cream tea in the Lake District.  Some walks through the woods, then a glorious waterfall, then Chester's, then some wonderful fields, then about 5 miles along the lake.  I have to go back and check the locations, but we had a wonderful lunch, a nice walk, and I made it.

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/Cumbrian%20Way/?action=view&current=d0c3ae57.pbw

Days 4 and 5

Well, I woke up on Day 4 to a still swollen toe and soggy, muddy shoes, so I told Pam to go on without me because I was going into town to try and find new shoes-shoes that would fit and not rub my toe.  I had lovely shoes-Salomon's, but I got them a half size smaller than regular-the toe area was *just* that small enough to screw up my toe.  Ate breakfast with Pam(will post pics of the cottage in a few days), redd up the kitchen and put sandals on to walk the three blocks to the center of Keswick.  Keswick is a lovely little town!  The center is closed off to cars, they have a supermarket and a Co-op, and they have dozens of stores that cater to walkers and climbers.  I went to the biggest walking/hiking store and told the sales person about my toe.  They were all wonderful to me-took over an hour fitting me, getting me new, thinner socks, letting me walk around in the shoes.  I ended up with Keens...which I will walk in forever more.  I also got a size 9 instead of an 8-1/2. 

I took the shoes home and made dinner for Pam, Stephen and myself.  I missed a great day of walking-one of the most desolate valleys in the UK.  I was very upset, and hope to be able to walk it one day.

I rested my foot all evening and prepared for the next day.

Day Three of the Cumbrian Way Keswick to Langdale

I did not walk the third day, so these are Pam's pictures.  I have included a few of her pictures from day two, the ones of the Bothy.

Day three took them through the Langstrath Valley-so desolate and beautiful, with a small climb.  I really wanted to do this day's walk because I read so much about the valley, and was so disappointed to have to stay home.  My toe was swollen, and I knew I couldn't do the climb down the Crag.  I will get Pam to tell me more about this day when she gets back.  I am including a link to a wonderful site about the Cumbrian Way so you can read for yourselves.  http://www.thecumbriaway.info/route_stage3.htm

Day three was a short walk, about 8 miles, but at the end they climbed Castle Crag.  I rested-could not put my foot into any of my shoes.  I made dinner that night.

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/Cumbrian%20Way/?action=view&current=b74c2d34.pbw

Caldbeck to Keswick-16 miles "Toe day"

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/Cumbrian%20Way/?action=view&current=d339ac9b.pbw

Ahhhhhh, day two of the Cumbrian Way.  Or, "Toe Day".  My knee had a nice scab over the wound so I went without a band aid.  Pam and I packed a nice lunch and prepared for rain.  We were to have rain all day.  Make sure, if you do this walk, that you take extra food and water, because there is nothing out there-no roads, shops, nothing-for 16 miles.  Well, lots of sheep and sheep poo.  :-)  Once you start  the day's walk, there is only one way out of the valley-walk.

We ate a big breakfast and walked to the meeting place.  Many jokes about my knee!  We had invited Stephen for dinner that night because we were such a small group and he had no one to eat with, so we were happy about that...had a great start to the day!   Pam planned on toast, bacon, eggs and beans.  Yum!  Something to look forward to after a loooong walk.

The start of the walk is level and pleasant, but then you have to climb over the trackless High Pike, 2600 feet.  There is no real path, and since our guidebook was the reverse of the direction we were going, we got lost twice.  I know, how did we get lost when there were no trees...well, we did!  The pike is long, and there are old miner's paths and such.  Oh!  Pam, Stephen and I all had lightweight hiking umbrellas.  Great idea.  I love my rain hat, but with the umbrella I could unzip my jacket.  I had a new Gore-tex jacket which was too heavy and bulky.  I bought a lighter one when I returned.  I'll use the old one for golf.   We had to walk back down about 200 feet then back up the same 200 feet-twice-so our climb was 3000 feet.  Bugger.  It rained all the way up, and we had to be careful of abandoned mine shafts, but we did make it to the top...finally.  Not a bad climb, just long.

There is a shepherd's bothy on the down side, which is where we had lunch-in pouring, pelting rain.  Nice to be in a dry spot for lunch.  The way down High Pike is very, very steep, narrow and rocky, I stepped in a boggy area and got my shoes and socks wet, and my shoe toes were a bit narrow.  I knew I'd done something to my right big toe because it felt like someone was jabbing a knife point into the quick with every step I took.  Couldn't stop, so I gritted my teeth and went on.  We walked for 12 more miles.  Why yes, I am tough!  Once we were down from High Pike the way was mostly level, with a small grade, but with the rain, the toe and the cold, I had a drop in blood sugar.  Not good.

We came to an old hostel and had to make a very steep climb, and I didn't think I would make it to the top.  When I did get up there, I explained that my blood sugar had dropped, and everyone(lovely people)scrounged extra chocolate and some beef jerky.  Then we kept walking.

I thought it would never end.  I was in agony....  really, and I don't complain.  Every step was horrible.  The last three miles were all on a down grade...so my toe was pushed back into the quick hard with every step.  Still want to do the walk?

When we got into Keswick, the guide had his car there, and I asked him to run me back to the cottage.  We got there, I took my shoes off, and my right big toe was swollen double size...and purple.  Runner's toe.  I had jarred the nail loose so every time I stepped I jammed the nail back into the quick.  Yes, it did hurt like frikkin' hell!  I took a bath while Pam made dinner, we had a lovely meal with Stephen(he brought dessert)and I decided not to walk the next day because there would be a big downhill section.  I could not put my toe under covers for three weeks. 

The toe is healing, as is the knee, but I was so angry that I had to miss a day of the walk.  I could not walk on the toe, nor could I fit the foot into shoes!  I had to rest.

The walk is desolate and beautiful.  You just don't realize that there can be such an isolated valley in the UK.  I have a very light hiking umbrella, which was wonderful.  I also always take a neck gaiter because I know if my neck is warm I keep my body temp up.  Take lots of extra food and water for this day.  And, if there is to be rain, hot tea or coffee.

Carlisle to Caldbeck 16 miles

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/Cumbrian%20Way/?action=view&current=0f93ec0f.pbw

Day one of walking the Cumbrian Way.  I trained for this walk!  I walked 9-12 miles a day after the snow melted in....I think May.  We had so much snow this winter. I started in January at the gym-stair climber, treadmill, bike, pool.  I was determined to walk all 76 miles!  So what happens??????  I fall on the way to the meeting point the first day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh, I fail.  :-( 

I gouged a chunk from my left knee about 1 inch by 2, blood ran down my leg...we did not have time to go back to the cottage and clean it off, so we trudged(I was so embarrassed)along Keswick's lovely and uneven cobblestones to the town center.  There, we met the other walkers and our guide..for the first time.....while Pam hunted up a rag and some water.  I wiped off the blood, we slapped a big band aid on it and got on the bus.   Yes it hurt!  It hurt really bad!  I wasn't about to tell them that!  Oh, I was so angry at myself.

So, we got to Carlisle and the guide didn't really know how to get to the path.  One problem I have with Footpath Holidays is that thetheir guides do not walk the Trails first!  We had trouble last year when our guide got lost.  When you walk 16 miles you don't want to add a mile or two because the guide should have prepared better!

We found the statue that marks the start of the walk...and who do we see but Stuart and Anne from Offa's Dike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh, it was good to see them!  We'd had dinner with Hillary and Allan the night before, so this was great!  Stuart guides for H-F Holidays and always does a walk before he leads it.  So, his group was out for a little 10 mile Sunday jaunt, we talked, posed for pics and went on our merry(and in my case, bloody)way.  Pam and I would go with H-F because they do the same walks, but have some easier methods-not as long each day and such, but you have to stay in the accommodation they arrange...this can be pricey!  With Footpath you get your own place to stay.  Which is really great if you have a caravan!

We found the start of the walk and walked on a paved walkway/bike trail for about 3 miles.  The start is down by the train tracks...not a lovely place.  No place to wee!  So many people out for Sunday mornings!  So many back yards.  I was bleeding from the knee and had to wee!  Not good, not good.  Finally we found some trees and fields and...well, I felt better.  We washed the wound a bit better with water from the crick(you call it a river, I call it a crick).  On and on we walked-sheep, cows, fields, river.....really quite boring.  Since we walked the Cumbrian way North to South, and the guidebooks are all South to North, our guide got us lost a few times.  Not good, Footpath!  So, we decided he should write a North-South guidebook, and I made sure to take pics of the places we got lost.  Lovely area, rather flat, evidence of terrible flooding!

There is an old Bishop's Castle on the route, and some private school, but that's about it.  Near the end of our day it started to pour rain, so out came the waterproofs and my lovely gore-tex rain hat.  We walked into Caldbeck in a pouring rain to the sight of a warm, dry tea room.  Pam and I were the first ones in, ordered our scones and tea for two, shed our rain gear...and checked my knee.  It had stopped bleeding.  Bus ride back to Keswick, great dinner of chicken and pasta, many cups of tea....some TV and a warm bed.  Little did I know what would happen the next day.

I bought a new pack for this year-Osprey Exos 34.  I bought this one because it is very light and has straps so you can store your walking pole as you are walking when you don't need it.  Very good pack.  Fully loaded and I didn't feel it.  Walk with it first before you walk on cobblestones.   Oh, We saw several Border Terriers that day.  Lovely dogs.

Castlerigg Standing Stones

Some friends of mine suggested going to see the Castlerigg Standing Stones while I was in the Lake District, and since I had never heard of them I Googled them, read a bit about them and suggested to Pam that we go.  I did not mention them before because I want to talk about them on their own.  On the morning of June 5th Pam and I started our sightseeing(which ended with the Beatrix Potter place for the other day).

I love going to ancient spiritual sites because I feel they still hold their magic.  You go to these places, especially on a misty, cool early morning and you can sense the spirit of the people who built them.  We had such a morning.  I do love how there are sheep at these national heritage sites!  I imagine there were some sort of sheep there 4000 years ago.  The mountains were swathed in clouds and mist, very few people were there, and the air was damp and chilly.  I could easily picture the scene as it was 4000 years ago...and I always like to think that some of the people who live in the area, or who were there that morning are descended from the people who built it.  Great book: "Blood of the Isles" by Bryan Sykes about the DNA of the people of the British isles....Worth a read.

So, we spent some time at the site, read about it on the little marker, took in the views of the surrounding hills.  Now, how to get there...I have no idea.  Pam drove.  I know it isn't far from Keswick.  Sorry.

I like to think about the ancient people and how they may have gathered there for the Summer Solstice, or the Winter Solstice, how happy they must have been in Winter when the days started to get longer(just as I am).  I think about why they chose that place, how they found the stones, how they moved them.  I also think about what happened to them and where their descendants are now. 

So, I have given you several places to see on your next visit to the Lake District.  Oh!  Don't forget "George Cottage", where we stayed in Keswick.  I will be posting the links when I finish the commentary.

One more thing!  This is where I met a border terrier for the first time!  Fabulous dogs!

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/Cumbrian%20Way/?action=view&current=48f7bd78.pbw

Touring around The Lake District. June 5th, 2010

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/Cumbrian%20Way/?action=view&current=30e440bb.pbw

I flew to Birmingham from Pittsburgh on June 2nd, landed on the 3rd. I use Kayak and Booking Buddy-checked them daily for three months until I found a deal for $800.00 $400 cheaper than any other, so I flew Aer Lingus. Lovely people. We had a bit of Turbulance about two hours in, the pilot went a bit higher and we were fine. Airbus 330. Sit in the back row or two in the middle-no one likes to sit there so I had the four seats to myself! Some man kept talking, so I put on the headphones and listened to Tony Bennet till I fell asleep.
It was a 21 hour flight because of a 5 hour stopover in Dublin. I met some young men in the airport pub and had a lovely time...sleepless in Dublin. Pam met me at the airport, I slept, we drove to Keswick the next day...you have seen my pics of the Tudor place. So, we had a lovely little cottage in Keswick.
The way Footpath Holidays works it, you get your own accommodations, they provide the sorry excuse of a guide and the transport to and from the walk every day. I like Footpath because you can save money on where you stay! Their guides should walk the trails first though. :-(
We got there a day early and drove around to do some sightseeing. We went to these lovely gardens with the azaleas, then to Townend. The Hall had been lived in by the same family for hundreds of years, till some spinster sisters were left...they left it to a cousin who donated it to the National Trust. If you want to travel in the UK you should join the National Trust because you get into all these places for free. Oh! The farmers at Townend raised(I think) Souay(sp) sheep because they were hardy and could survive in the hills better. And the carvings and dates? One of the owners in the 19th century did most of them, and added whatever date he fancied. The carvings are wonderful! Evidently he made some people angry, because he petitioned to add on to the farm or something and the townsfolk told him no. They had a special smoking place over the fireplace for the meats. If you stood in front of the fireplace and looked up you could see the space. The servants lived next to this area...had to breathe the smoke.

We tried to get into the Beatrix Potter place, but they were closed. We did see a little building that has a great many of her original drawings. That was cool. There is a little place on the road to park so you don't have to pay.
We spent too much time at "Chesters",(look for the pics with the blue VW van in them...we sat on the terrace on the left-overlooking the little river. Sun was wonderful. ..... which has the most wonderful cream tea! There was a couple there who invited us to share their table...originally from London, but who had retired to the lake district. We discussed politics, and he told us about a friend of his who was a policeman...on duty when Bush was at some conference...The policeman walked somewhere he shouldn't have, was tackled by a Secret Service man(although he was in uniform)and had his arm broken. He was in the hospital the next day-recuperating-in pain-when he got a phone call. The man said he was President Bush. The policeman, not believing this, told the caller to bugger off, shove it up his ass...you know. Turns out it was Bush. It makes me glad to know that someone..even because of a case of mistaken identity......well, you know..

This is why I love traveling. This was just the second day of my stay and we already met these lovely people with their fabulous story. It made our day. So many stories I have from this trip! It seemed that every day there was a little incident that defined the day-made it good. The sun shone the whole day, everything was beautiful, and the cream tea was sublime. Neither Pam nor I are timid eaters. :-) This set the tone for my encounters along the way...interesting people with interesting stories. Wait till I tell you about P. G. Wodehouse!.

We toured, then went back to Keswick(silent w)..ate dinner, made our lunches for the next day, watched tv and settled in for the 16 mile first day of The Cumbrian Way.

Pam and I travel well together.

Days One and Two

I flew Aer Lingus because I got the flight for $800.00.  I use Kayak and Booking Buddy to find flights and this was a tough one!  The prices were stuck at $1400.00 for the longest time, but one Tuesday I found the $800.00 flight and jumped on it!  That was a few weeks before the trip.  I guess the lesson is to be patient!

I found a very lightweight wheeled duffel at ebags for $30.00...quite large but without the center supports for the handle, so I can roll it up when I'm done with it. I packed rather light, but did take two pairs of hiking shoes.  My list included: 6 pairs of undies, 3 bras, long underwear, two pairs of: cropped pants, shorts, pants.  I wore jeans to travel in.  4 pairs of socks, sandals, one pair nice cropped pants.  2 wool t-shirts, fleece, wooly hat, gloves, neck gaiter, wool vest, rain pants and jacket, rain hat, umbrella.  In my carryon I took food, books, knitting.  Yes, you can take the needles, but the should be bamboo.

I also packed my backpack while I carried the lighter one.  I always have a penknife, food, flashlight, sink stopper, conversion plugs.  I just got myself a new netbook.

I would buy shampoo over there.  I also found a tiny hairdryer!  I will post about these things tomorrow.  I have onions to clean tonight.

My friend picked me up at 2:00 and dropped me off at the Pittsburgh Airport at 3.  Security, baggage...all that and I was at the Jet Blue gate.  Pittsburgh is pretty fast.  Took off, landed at JFK, collected my wheeled duffel and found Aer Lingus check-in.  Pain in the ass!  Oh! it was terrible!  I did get a cart for the duffel because it was too heavy to pull well, and I had a long way to go,  I made sure I had an aisle seat because I get up every hour.  If you ask for the middle of the last row in the Airbus 330 you may well be alone.  Check Baggage, go through security again.  Evidently an Air India flight leaves around the same time as the Aer Lingus, so about 300 Indian nationals were at security to wave good bye.  WTF?  Most people drop you off in front!  .  I fought my way through the crowd, found my gate for AL and settled in.  It was very confusing.

Flight was choppy and some man talked the whole way...6 hours.  I popped in the earphones, turned Tony Bennet up and slept.  Landed in Dublin the next morning...you guessed it...customs and more security.  I hate security.  Then I waited for five hours.  They have a nice pub in the Dublin airport!  It was a long trip but I saved over $400.00.

Took off, landed in Birmingham, collected the baggage....and went out to see..another 300 Indians waiting to greet a plane coming in from India.  Fought my way through that crowd, made it to the sidewalk and called Pam-who had just parked and was looking at me!  Big hugs, in the car, off to Kidderminster!  We had a lovely dinner, talked a bit and I went to bed.  I was beat.

Next morning we set off for Keswick!  We stopped at this wonderful Tudor house on the way, and had a picnic lunch there.  Their coat of arms has a greyhound!  We spent a long time there-wonderful place.  Free with a National Trust card.

Evidently they were Royalist during the civil War, had farmers take over till the land and house were donated to the Trust.

Then off again to Keswick!   We found our cottage in Keswick, unpacked, had dinner...watched a little TV and crashed.

Pam is great for taking me to interesting places.  I was astounded by the beauty of the Lake District, and was glad we were in Keswick and not one of the more touristy towns.  Pam has done quite a bit of walking and climbing in the Lake District, and I watched all of the Wainright Walks on TV, so it was wonderful to be there!

Here is the slide show for day one and two:  http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/Cumbrian%20Way/?action=view&current=283311d3.pbw

Iona

I am at the Iona Hostel for four days.  It is wonderful.

Day Two of The Cumbria Way. Caldbeck to Keswick

Hi all.

On the second day of the Cumbria Way we walked 16 miles from Caldbeck to Keswick.  Very hard 16 miles.  We first walked up the 2600 feet of High Pike, a boggish, treeless, trackless hill.  We had lunch in an old bothy(shepherd's cabin)on the way down, then walked through bogs for another 12 miles.  Not a good day for me.  This is where I hurt my toe with the repeated slamming of the toe into the inside of the shoe on the steep descent.  Yes, it hurt like bloody hell.  It rained most of the day, but we ended in sunshine. 

When I got back to the cottage and took my shoes and socks off my right big toe was a lovely deep purple and very sore, so I decided not to chance the third day.

It is a lovely walk through one of the most desolate valleys in England.  Yes, that is a very narrow path along a steep valley.  We were about 300 feet up from the valley floor. 

I was very glad to get home that evening.

This is not a section to attempt if you are not in good shape.  I walk 6 to 9 miles every day at home and add in training on my bike, and I found it hard.  Much of the way is trackless, and once you start in there is no way out other than to finish or retrace your steps.  There may not be phone service along this part.  Take someone with you.  Take lots of water and food because it is difficult.

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/Cumbrian%20Way/?action=view&current=591529bd.pbw

Walking on Mull

Woke up at 7:30 today and ate a huge breakfast.  Full whatever.  yes, I ate it all.  I'm paying for this, I'm eating it.  Rested a bit then we went for a walk down to the campsite and the ocean.  5 miles.  Little walk.    It is wild but they have showers and toilets.  You camp on the edge of the world.  Hmmmm...single track road after the ferry.....  But the campsites overlook Iona and the sea!

Came back, I posted pics finally, and napped a bit, then we had dinner on the bench in front of the B&B ...a gull stole our bread.  We had enough.

I mentioned the boys we met in the pub-the ones from the Torbermory Hostel, well they were out in front of our B&B trying to find a place closer to town, but...no luck.  We told then we might see them in the pub later.

We did.  My friend was off using the phone and I had my pint there...and they walked in.  Had a lovely hour with them.  My friend came back...they went off to dinner, we walked to the ocean and came home.

I remarked that there was a fire on the far hillside, and there was a very large fire.  My friend had noticed a small boat on the hill earlier, and I remembered that I had seen a sign in the store for "Remember Helga"  A wake for a local person who had died.  Well, it wasn't just a wake, it was a frikkin viking funeral.  Too far to walk, but I have pics.  No, there was no body...just a party to remember.

So, every day we seem to have a new and different experience.

Tomorrow we are going to Staffa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

day one of the Cumbrian Way

Well, you start in Carlisle and walk 16 miles over gently rolling countryside.  A great deal of the first part is around the city, and there are precious places to wee, but then you get into the countryside.  No hard climbs, very easy day.  We ended in a pouring rain in Caldbeck at a warm tea house.  Bathrooms are around back.

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/Cumbrian%20Way/?action=view&current=cb6d4175.pbw

Torbormory to Fionnphort

Well, we had quite a day.  I thought I'd booked us private rooms at the Torbormory hostel, but we were in a 5 bed dorm.  But then no one came, so we thought we would have it to ourselves.  No.  At midnight three Canadian women in their 40's rolled in from Oban.  They'd missed the ferry and had to take the one at ten.  They were lovely, but it was midnight.  OK, the sun hadn't really set.

They flew over to catch the Paul McCartney concert and were then off for three weeks around Scotland.  The one had been born in Oban.

We talked and laughed till one then all was quiet.

Had a great day looking at the shops, had fish and chips from a stall on the dock and caught the 4:00 bus to Fiannphort.  It is two hours from one wing of Mull to the other.

Well, our bus driver for the first leg was fabulous!  He gave a running commentary all the way down to the ferry port(forget the name).  I of course did not understand half of it because of his thick Scottish accent, but Carol translated. 

We made it just in time to catch the bus to FPt, and were reaqdy to leave when a teacher hopped on with her 28 high school kids who were staying at a converted abbey on the way to Fpt.

They sang all the way out.  Now, on Mull the roads are single lane..yes...narrow, one lane roads witth pullouts, and we were on a large bus.  Fantastic volcanic scenery.  Reminded me of the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico.  Fabulous!  We saw Highland cattle and!!!!!!! a stag!  Yes!  Horns and all.  Cool.

We are in our B&B, ate our dinners we brought from Torb.  Oh!  We walked to the pub(about 100 people live in Fiannphort)for a pint and ran into 3 bike riders we'd met in the hostel the night before.  So.......we were there for more than one pint...in front of a coal fire, overlooking the Atlantic, at the end of the earth.

I will try to post pics tomorrow.

It is past 10 and the sun has not set.

This place is amazing.  Pictures do not do it justice.

Mull

We are here in Torbormory, on the Isle of Mull.  Lovely hostel here.  Very helpful.  You can put your pack in reception until 5, just don't leave anything of value...you know the rules.  Had tea in a little shop and will spend tomorrow here.  We plan to cook dinner soon.  Lovely bus ride from Fort Augustus to Fort William, then down to Oba.  Took the ferry and bus(one lane roads)to here.

Sunny skies, all is well

Fort Augustus

Hi all!  We are in Fort Augustus, Scotland, looking for Nessie.  Have not seen her yet.

Lovely hostel-Stravaigers.  You ask the bus driver to let you off at the health center on the way in, and it is around the corner on your right at the bottom of the road-about a block's walk.  Very clean, very quiet, very nice.  Great kitchen.  The grocery store is about three blocks away, so no need to pack in food.  The store is open during the week till 8.

Off to the Isle of Mull tomorrow for 4 days, then Iona for 4 more.  If you don't hear from me, I will be unable to get wifi.

In Edinburgh

Hi!  I'm at the Starbucks on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.  You can get free wifi here.  Having a lovely, relaxed day walking around.  Edinbugh is nice, but there are big city problems...homelessness and poverty right alongside the wealth, tourist spots and such.  It is very touristy, and crowded, but the history is great.

Off to Scotland tomorrow!

We have been staying at the Holm Head Camping Barn the last two days, and it is absolutely wonderful for 12 pounds 50.  We have a roof over our heads, shower, toilet and a kitchen.  The beds are in a loft with steep stairs, but they are fine.  The Barn is over a bridge and down a lovely country lane.
Today we toured Hadrian's Wall, had lunch, had tea, had local cheese at the cheesehouse and are now sat in the warm sun in front of the Place.  It is an old stone house, B&B with barn attached.  Pics when I can.

Tomorrow I will take the train to Edinburgh.

Better

My toe is greatly improved so I will be walking again tomorrow.  I am very disappointed at missing two days, but I thought the descent down Stake Pass today would have been difficult, and I did not want to hold the group back.  I don't think one should go out into the wilds of Cumbria if there is some doubt as to getting back...I think that would be irresponsible, so I rested.  I also bought new shoes...Keen.  They have a very wide toe area.

So...on to Coniston tomorrow.  I will have pictures because Pam took some wonderful ones!

Not looking good, mate.....

My toe and my knees.  Ouch!  http://www.flickr.com/photos/50931730@N02/?saved=1

Yesterday's Walk

Here are pics from a great website about the Cumbria Way.  This is Caldbeck to Keswick.  Do not start this if you can't do 16 hard miles.
http://www.thecumbriaway.info/gallery_4.htm

You walk sixteen miles and what do you get?

Another day older and deeper in debt.......
No, you get very sore feet and a black big right toe.  It rubbed against the shoe.
We started in Caldbeck and walked up the 2200 foot High Pike, not too bad......if it hadn't been pouring rain.
We couldn't see any other fells at the summit because of the mist(read...dense, soaking fog)  The way down was steep, boggy, wet and treacherous, so we stopped at Linky Hut(an old shepherd's hut) for lunch...then walked twelve more miles through some desolate valleys to Keswick.  Beautiful after the rain stopped,but by that time I had injured my big right toe, stepped in mud up to my ankle and a stream up to my other ankle.  I was very glad to get back to Keswick.  If you aren't sure about walking 16 hard, hard miles, do not attempt this.  There is no way out once you start down the other side of High Pike...other than helicopter.
Pam and I invited Steven for dinner tonight because there are only six of us, and the mother and daughter from the US are nice, but shy.  Pam made her poached eggs, bacon, beans, mushrooms and tomatoes tonight!  Delicious!  I'll make it when I get home.
Rough, rough day, but a lovely evening!

first day of the walk

We started in Carkiske today, walking the Cumbria Way North to South.  The beginning of the walk wasn't too scenic, too much city, and we walked on a concrete bike path for the first four or so miles.  Watch out for bikes, dogs and dog doo. Too many irresponsible dog owners.  There is a little part that is confusing, so consult your guide book carefully.  Our guide, Graham is going to write a guide book for North to South.

Once you're out in the countryside the way is clear, because it is the path.  You follow the river Caldew...keeping it on your left!  There are some lovely buildings, Rose Castle and the Lime School.  There is a church that has coffee and tea making facilities, but no loo.  No matter, plenty of bushes on the Way.!

The last four miles are a bit rough, especially if you messed up your right heel two weeks before you started your walk!  There is a bit uphill and down, but it isn't too bad.  When you get into Caldbeck(Day one is 15.51 miles)there is a lovely little teahouse, and there are some pubs.  All in all, a nice day.


As for today, I hurt the whole way because of my heel.  But have taken aspirin and will walk tomorrow regardless!!!!!  Oh!  I fell this morning...before we even got to the meeting place!  Pam told me to look at this sign for Borrowdale, which I did, and...I fell..on my knees.  My left knee bled quite a bit, my right knee is just scraped.  They are fine.  It's my heel.   Oh, There is a hole in my left pant leg...from the fall.

So, I am a clutz.

Sightseeing

We had a lovely day!  We started the day with an early morning visit to the Castlerigg Standing stones.  Fabulous view of the surrounding hills.  I love how the standing stones are right there in the middle of a sheep field!

We went to Stagshaw Gardens..a lovely old home with rhododendrons and azaleas on this hillside, then we went to Townend-a house that was in the same family for 400 years.  The last member died in 1940 and the house went to the National Trust.  Um, they never updated the kitchen.  I think that the poor housekeeper had to cook the food over the fire!  Then we went off to see Beatrix Potter's house.  But!  For lunch we had the best scones with butter, jam and cream at Chesters at Skelwith Bridge.  You have to try it!

We met a very nice couple who told us some funny stories.  I will post the pics later because Photobucket is not being helpful right now.

For dinner we are meeting Hillary at the Pub in Keswick!  More on that tomorrow.

We start our walk in Carlisle tomorrow.  15 miles, and it might rain.  :-(

I slept very well last night-this is a very nice cottage.  Keswick is a nice, busy town.

More of Moreton Hall

More pics!!!!!  http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/knitting/?action=view&current=8f6caab5.pbw

Keswick

We are here in Keswick at the :George Cottage".  I will post the link tomorrow.

Here are pics, can't get the slideshow to work.  http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/multreda/knitting/?action=view&current=4917d15f.pbw

Lovely drive.  We stopped at Little Moreton Hall...lovely Tudor house.  Mostly original.

Lovely drive, great weather.

I'm Here

I am here in Kidderminster!!!!  Ok, next year I am driving to Breezy Point to visit the cousins, and get a direct flight to Dublin, or London.  Christ!  I went through three different securities!  New York?  Since when does half the population of whatever borough it was come to the airport and stand outside security to wave goodbye?  have they not heard of dropping the person off at the entrance?

No, next year-drive to NY and direct flight.  Oh, and the English are so well behaved!  We were stuck in the exit tunnel in Birmingham and no one even spoke!

So, tomorrow we head to Keswick.  Lovely dinner.  Thanks Pam!

I am tired

One more Day!!!

Well, I went through the trauma of having my email account hacked, locked, then setting up a new one.  So, I am ready to go.

Stake Pass

Here is a view of part of my walk: http://www.go4awalk.com/userpics/panoramic-walk-photos.php?first=Wayne&last=Hill&pan=68

Travel

I just finished booking the last of my train travel in the UK.  You can use the National Rail site to book most of your dealings with trains.  http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/  I buy the advance ticket(or an all day ticket if it is cheap enough)then pick up the ticket at the self serve machine.  You need to print out your confirmation so you have your confirmation number, and you need the credit card you booked the trip on.  Easy as can be. 

We also bought an Explorer pass on Scottish Citylink buses. http://www.citylink.co.uk/explorerpass.php

I sent them an email to see if the pass either covers the ferry to Mull or if we get a discount. http://www.calmac.co.uk/

I also downloaded the schedule for the ferry to Iona. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/iona/ionaferry/index.html

So, I'm packed, but will repack tomorrow just to check off everything.  I have: sleeping bag, two backpacks, walking poles, two pairs of hiking shoes, four pairs of socks, assorted necessities, two pairs of hiking  pants, two pairs of hiking shorts, sandals, hiking tops, regular tops, fleece, rain gear, electronics, snacks, umbrella...all in a very lightweight wheeled duffel.  I will carry my netbook with me in my carry on back pack.

I got a new backpack from Osprey http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/ExosSeriesSuperlight/Exos34/   
because it has a way to store my walking pole. 

I will weaar one pair of hiking shoes because I find them to be the most comfortable walking around airports.

I leave on the 2nd.  JetBlue to JFK and Aer Lingus to Dublin, Aer Lingus to Birmingham.  Great deal...kept checking Kayak and Booking Buddy and found RT for $800.00 about a month ago.

The trip is paid for except four nights in Hostels and food/drink.  Oh!  and pressies from St. Andrews!

I am spending these next few days relaxing with Maggie.  More tomorrow!

Stuff to eat

Well, I've been looking into Scottish food and found this website: http://www.scottishrecipes.co.uk/cullenskink.htm

Hmmmmm?????

New Trip

I will be flying to the UK on June 2nd, so this blog will be active again!

June 2nd-fly to Birmingham
June 4th-drive to Keswick  
June 6-11-walk Cumbria Way 
June 12-see parts of Hadrian's Wall 
June 13th-take train to Edinburgh
June 14-15th Edinburgh and St. Andrews
June 16th-17th- Ft. Augustus
June 18th- Tobormory on Mull (check my spelling)
June 19th-21st- Fionnfort on Mull (check my spelling)
June 22-25th- Iona
June 26th- Ballachulish
June 27th-28th- Glencoe
June 29th-30th- Glasgow
July 1st-2nd- Sheffield
July 3rd-6th- Kidderminster

So, this is the schedule.  I will post the names of where I'll be staying.  I got a great deal on Aer Lingus...saved $300. 

2110 Trip

Well, I'm planning this year's trip!  Cumbrian Way, Birmingham, Iona, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Western Isles.

This trip will happen in June.  I will begin to post soon, but I know we will be going to the youth hostel in Iona.