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.