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Friday 31 August 2012
30th Back at The Thrang on Pennine Bridle Way
The day started at 6.30.I had hoped to do bloggs but when Mon woke also we chatted again and relaxed until boys woke and Ranulph nuzzled into me for cuddles - a great feeling. Feel like I was topped up with cuddles from Mon and the boys.
We had a Yha breaky then I got my bags packed and gear now dry from the drying room.
Mon drove us back for a 9.50 start and kisses goodbye and a tearful Anton who could not understand why he could not go with us.
We gained the top and Hells Gill gate after a gradual climb. The next three miles were a reverse of a training walk I did in May and in sun and heat and a burnt bald head.
It was easy walking.
At where the Pen Bridle Way dropped away we left it and continued to Cotter End and onto Hardraw to join the Pennine Way and into Hawes. We had covered about 10 miles and would meet up at the Bridle way on route north in eight months time. We will be doing the Pennine Way and BridleWay trails in bits. It will all come clear!
We had more supplies from Mon and clean socks etc.
In Hawes J got Holly a post card while I got us chips from the same place we ate yesterdsy evening. It was strange to be back in Hawes. We sat on a bench and eating our chips in the main street.
After an hours lunch and getting J a supa doopa treking brollley we walked out of Hawes and via Gayle with a lovely mill on route.
It was a wet sloppy slog up Ten End.We watched kestrals and Wheatears. Gaining an excellent track on top and following a level contour looking down onthe Snaizeholme. Conifer forests shown on the map had been felled below leaving grey areas of wasteland.
We stopped long enough to have a drink and bics. I had to watch J as he has a tendancy to nibble mine.
After 4 miles from Ten End we had gained a Roman Road, more of a track. Views south opened up. Arkengill viaduct stood out with the fedcending sun behind it and Impressive Ingleborough stood high furter south, hard to believe it was not on route.
We were both pretty tired and due to the high trail and lack of water at Cam Fell we waited until we dropped to Ling Gill bridge and beck. The pitch was perfect on flat ground about 10 yards from the beck and my tent fix was perfect.
We ate well thanks to Monique , noodles mackeral and salad.
It was a still evening and chilly. Due to the near full moon the stars did not shine so bright but I still could make out the odd constellation. I had to stop J moving around so much as he keeps making the inner tent damp by touchig the wet outer. We listened to the radio before sleep took over at around 10.30. No phone signal again meant no blog.
We had walked 19.5 miles.
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30th Back at The Thrang on Pennine Bridle Way
The day started at 6.30.I had hoped to do bloggs but when Mon woke also we chatted again and relaxed until boys woke and Ranulph nuzzled into me for cuddles - a great feeling. Feel like I was topped up with cuddles from Mon and the boys.
We had a Yha breaky then I got my bags packed and gear now dry from the drying room.
Mon drove us back for a 9.50 start and kisses goodbye and a tearful Anton who could not understand why he could not go with us.
We gained the top and Hells Gill gate after a gradual climb. The next three miles were a reverse of a training walk I did in May and in sun and heat and a burnt bald head.
It was easy walking.
At where the Pen Bridle Way dropped away we left it and continued to Cotter End and onto Hardraw to join the Pennine Way and into Hawes. We had covered about 10 miles and would meet up at the Bridle way on route north in eight months time. We will be doing the Pennine Way and BridleWay trails in bits. It will all come clear!
We had more supplies from Mon and clean socks etc.
In Hawes J got Holly a post card while I got us chips from the same place we ate yesterdsy evening. It was strange to be back in Hawes. We sat on a bench and eating our chips in the main street.
After an hours lunch and getting J a supa doopa treking brollley we walked out of Hawes and via Gayle with a lovely mill on route.
It was a wet sloppy slog up Ten End.We watched kestrals and Wheatears. Gaining an excellent track on top and following a level contour looking down onthe Snaizeholme. Conifer forests shown on the map had been felled below leaving grey areas of wasteland.
We stopped long enough to have a drink and bics. I had to watch J as he has a tendancy to nibble mine.
After 4 miles from Ten End we had gained a Roman Road, more of a track. Views south opened up. Arkengill viaduct stood out with the fedcending sun behind it and Impressive Ingleborough stood high furter south, hard to believe it was not on route.
We were both pretty tired and due to the high trail and lack of water at Cam Fell we waited until we dropped to Ling Gill bridge and beck. The pitch was perfect on flat ground about 10 yards from the beck and my tent fix was perfect.
We ate well thanks to Monique , noodles mackeral and salad.
It was a still evening and chilly. Due to the near full moon the stars did not shine so bright but I still could make out the odd constellation. I had to stop J moving around so much as he keeps making the inner tent damp by touchig the wet outer. We listened to the radio before sleep took over at around 10.30. No phone signal again meant no blog.
We had walked 19.5 miles.
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30th Back at The Thrang on Pennine Bridle Way
The day started at 6.30.I had hoped to do bloggs but when Mon woke also we chatted again and relaxed until boys woke and Ranulph nuzzled into me for cuddles - a great feeling. Feel like I was topped up with cuddles from Mon and the boys.
We had a Yha breaky then I got my bags packed and gear now dry from the drying room.
Mon drove us back for a 9.50 start and kisses goodbye and a tearful Anton who could not understand why he could not go with us.
We gained the top and Hells Gill gate after a gradual climb. The next three miles were a reverse of a training walk I did in May and in sun and heat and a burnt bald head.
It was easy walking.
At where the Pen Bridle Way dropped away we left it and continued to Cotter End and onto Hardraw to join the Pennine Way and into Hawes. We had covered about 10 miles and would meet up at the Bridle way on route north in eight months time. We will be doing the Pennine Way and BridleWay trails in bits. It will all come clear!
We had more supplies from Mon and clean socks etc.
In Hawes J got Holly a post card while I got us chips from the same place we ate yesterdsy evening. It was strange to be back in Hawes. We sat on a bench and eating our chips in the main street.
After an hours lunch and getting J a supa doopa treking brollley we walked out of Hawes and via Gayle with a lovely mill on route.
It was a wet sloppy slog up Ten End.We watched kestrals and Wheatears. Gaining an excellent track on top and following a level contour looking down onthe Snaizeholme. Conifer forests shown on the map had been felled below leaving grey areas of wasteland.
We stopped long enough to have a drink and bics. I had to watch J as he has a tendancy to nibble mine.
After 4 miles from Ten End we had gained a Roman Road, more of a track. Views south opened up. Arkengill viaduct stood out with the fedcending sun behind it and Impressive Ingleborough stood high furter south, hard to believe it was not on route.
We were both pretty tired and due to the high trail and lack of water at Cam Fell we waited until we dropped to Ling Gill bridge and beck. The pitch was perfect on flat ground about 10 yards from the beck and my tent fix was perfect.
We ate well thanks to Monique , noodles mackeral and salad.
It was a still evening and chilly. Due to the near full moon the stars did not shine so bright but I still could make out the odd constellation. I had to stop J moving around so much as he keeps making the inner tent damp by touchig the wet outer. We listened to the radio before sleep took over at around 10.30. No phone signal again meant no blog.
We had walked 19.5 miles.
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29th August Leaving the Lakes and Into the Yorkshire Dales
We walked alot of road track and footpath path trying to avoid the A685.
The day was started with a race agsinst the weather. We knew it was going to be a wet day so we were moving fairly early to get the tent packed before the rain really started. All was going well and we would be on target to leave Tebay Inn around 7.30. A slight problem was Josh over flexed the tent pole and broke two lengths. In affect we had no pitchable tent. This was a particular pain because this tent is fairly light quick to pitch and generally good piece of kit. Luckily I was able to contact Monique who we were meeting today as we woll be less than an hour from home. She could bring the spare tent and I could adapt a flex hoop pole with hack saw and pliers....I hope!
I was not happy with J . His slap dash ways have to change or I will send him packing within the week.
We were picking up another National Trail today, the PENNINE BRIDLE WAY,at Ravenstonedale.
The walk was a wet one with some heavy rain and some trudging along narrow lanes. After about 9 miles we reached Ravenstone Dale but could find little info about the walk itself. We popped into a small shop and then into a pub and I downloaded some info about it via wifi. It started at Street about 3 miles further on, no more than a farm. After a cuppa we ambled via lanes to Street. Because signals for the mobile was poor we had trouble keeping in contact with our support team - Monique.
We sat a while then I walked up to phone got a signal but they obviously could not receive a call for the same reason as us. I sent a text stating we were starting the Bridle Way and was going up a___nd over to the next valley - the Kirkby Stephen / Hawes road.
The track was a bridle way was steady up. We could see black clouds brewing to the south of us in and rain falling to the west but so far we only had the odd spot.
The route took us to High Dolphinsty a saddle or dip between the higher tops of Wild Boar Fell.We stopped and at the top for a breif spell and as dark cloud gather and the wind picked up we started down the other side at speed. Sadly the weather caught up and wlth a vengence. Wind and rain hit.We put full waterproofs on and brollies up. With torrents of rain driven by the wind we stuggled to stay up right and I had to use my rliggt arm to prevent the brolley from collapsing. Josh was not so fortunate and his cheap one was about crushed in the bedlam. As the initial force of rain and wind decreased we stood under a railway bridge about quarter of a mile from the road below. It was still rain when we ventured out .I could see Moniques car driving from our meet point toward Hawes direction and I flashed the brolley to get their attention to no avail.
We gained the road and walked the short distance to The Thrang. On arriving there the sun came out and started to steam our wet gear. We sat in the sun. It was 3.10.
At 4.10 I could not believe that Monique had not returned so walked a wee while up hill on tomorrows route to get a signal. I eventually got through only to discover she had driven 12 miles to Hawes to let the children play, Maria a friend and her son was also with her. I was annoyed that they had left our meet point without a decent wait leaving us sat like lemons on the side of the road. About half hour passed before Monique returned. Luckily the sun shone.
We were taken back to Hawes where she had legt Maria and the boys to play in a park.
I straight away got to fixing the pole with took about the half an hour. I needed to lengthen the spare tent pole by about three inches. It all went ok and soon I was sat in the park having a Monique prepared picnic. YUM!
I had planned to camp on route that evening but when Monique suggested all staying at the Youth hostel here and run us back in the morning where she picked us up. This we did and the evening was a time of chat food beer and kids. We had a seven bed room but did not sleep until gone midnight. The boys slow to sleep with excitement.
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Tuesday 28 August 2012
Monday 27 August 2012
25 /26/27th August
25th . I cannot say I slept well. One of the chaps who was sharing the room must of got up half a dozen times through the night and made no effort to be quiet, letting the doors bang shut etc. I woke up for good and made myself a cup of tea leaving J to sleep. This will be a major change for him, no sleeping until gone midday, no on his phone 24/7,and not food and snacks on tap. When I did get him up about 7.30 we had breaky then made ip a parcel to get rid of the surplus noodles and things we have no need of. I had to explain about keeping weight down.
We walked into Keswick in the rain and it would not ease until the evening. We had a heavy parcel to post and had to purchase all to get it posted. By the time we had faffed around and the huddled under a tea shop awning trying to stay dry with all other tourists drinking tea.
It was almost 11 when we finally got going saying goodbye to a large chap who said his bike was specially imported from USA to take his weight.
We were still following the Cumbria Way and we trudged carrying the brolley between us.What can I say it rained was miserable. We sort the refuge at the posh Borrowdale Gale Hotel. Dripping as we walked to a plush lounge for tea and coffee.
Walking on Js boots were not waterproof and it was a wet slog. We now had veared off to take in one of the goals of the venture, to take in the highest peak of England - SCAFELL PIKE. We walked to Seathwaite campsite and got pitched having talked to two twenty year olds smoking roll ups in their Landrover who were overlooking the site.You pay later they said. We would of liked the camping barn but not surprising it was taken by a group of women for the entire weekend.
The rain eased as we pitched then drizzled. Noodles then route planning then bed.
26th.
We packed up after a few showers. In the lull the tent had dried a fair bit.
Getting going with full packs to walk up Scarfel is no mean feat. We had been talking about tacking just a pack with weather gear and basics but decided on full kit because we wanted to walk off on route further east.
We could see the tops were in cloud but the steady climb kept is more than warm and as wet dripped off my nose I missed my cap. Josh climbed well and stopping briefly for chocolate. He still had to adjust to the fitness and routine.I had to tell him to pace himself ad opposed to sudden frustrated bursts.
It is amazing the diversity coming up here. From folk who look as if going shopping to fully equipt winter mountaineering.
We gain Esk House and made our way around via the well trodden path below Great End.A few showers folk were returning from the top. The terrain was awkward with ankle twisting boulders.At times the damp cloud air with drizzle made it fairly slippy.
I made a mistake of an up which I thought was the final climb to Scafell Pike which demoralised J and on the final scramble he stopped for a break and me being annoyed at him being so close. We got there eventually and on top with multitudes brewed noodles a tea i one of the many shelter walls. On setting off for down I discovered our rat hole had been used as a latrine and I covet ip it eith many stones. View were non exsistant.
The descent was easier. We made for Langdale coming out of the cloud what soon became a sun and we stopped and for another brew. Feeling content. Walking via road track and footpath to ChapelStiles to camp for the night.
27th .What can I say about it but it rained and rained. Wr packed up in the rain walked in the rain and got wet in the rain and arrived in the rain at Windermere. What misery.
I was chilled and all cafes had tourists sheltering. We found a place called Munch which enthusiastically served us baked potatoes and beans and hot drinks. Still raining we got a place in Lakeland Backpackers Hostel.
This place offered all we needed ability to dry our gear and a cosy friendly place to regroup. We slept well
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Feeling out of place but enjoying the coffee and break from rain. Borrowdale Gates Hotel
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Friday 24 August 2012
24th August Josh joins me.
I had intended to get up about 6 but did not wake until 6.45.I got up straight away and got kettle on and packed up my dry gear.
On setting off around 8.10 I headed to join the Cumbria Way. I felt good and inspired with the drudgery of last to days behind me.
The scenary was changing completely more dramatic and heath and heather and steeply going up.
I passed a disused mine and as the route leveled of the vires ahead of classic Lakeland Hills opened up.
It was drier up here than down below which made walking easier and the track easy to navigate.
I passed a mountain sheltet which if the erather had been course I may of stopped at but all I did was peek in at its basic accomadation but at times a welcome sight.If I known it was there I may have walked on to it yesterday but at least my gear was dry.
It eas strange to descend via Grainsgill Beck ad I felt I should stay high and after six miles I saw my first walker sitting at a route junction having a snack.We exchsnged route details and moved on in opposite directions.
As I turned toward Skiddaw House I got a glimpse of it about 3.5 miles ahead.The stream I was following babbled next to me and calls of a Dipper and a small darting shape stopped me in my tracks. I watched three Dippers plunge and dive for aquatic insect prey nefore walking on. I would not stop until Skiddaw House.
The track became a narrow but well trodden path as I negotiated boggy peaty bits.It was well used by mountain bikers by the amount of tracks.
The reason I was walking with such zest was because I was meet Josh my son today and was looking forward to seeing him. Ihad tried to book hostels but because of the bank holiday I was unable to as all so far were full.
I met a group of ladies snacking in the lee of a stone wall and on saying good there is no rain I was shouted down as if tempting fate. I apologised as if I had said Macbeth.
I now was walking the path below Lonscale Fell ,a high level path with rocky face above and view of the valley below.
As I rounded the fell Derwent Water came into view. A couple up ahead with the woman trailing the man by a good ten paces came into view and in no time I had passed them with a cheery good morning, a reluctant nod from the man and a cheery hello from the woman. Half a mile on I stopped to remove my sweaty fleece and sat down to enjoy the view with a sup of water. The couple now a united band gave cheery hellos as they galloped by. I sat abit longer then got up and continued. This time I had a harder time closing the gap but ended up 10 yards behind them and they speeded up. It eas as if they had said he won't Bloody pass us again. I didn't. At the Latrigg car park they strode to their car. I instead went up Latrigg, a hill above Keswick which gives great views over the town and south over the Derwent Lake and beyond. I was a fairly sweaty individual having made the climb for the view but soon cooled as I took in the vista sitting on the pack.
I made my way down to Keswick via eye adjusting dark and somewhat Lion the witch and the wardrobe type of setting of a conifer plantation with path of pine needles.
On entering the the town I sort the tourist info to find out if a camping barn was about, they sent me to Sally's cottages who in their pulsh office where i felt out of place were finding me places 10 miles. The comment that a nearby place was full and wouldn't that be handy did not help. I left empty handed. I tried a number I had tried earlier and got through this time. Success Denton House and was walking beside the river out on the Penrith Road. Ten mins later I booked in and paid the extortionate price of £22 per head. No wonder it was not full.
It was a cold functional place ex army and used mainly as an outdoor pursuits base. I got our bunks sorted then showered.
A phone call from Josh had me stood by the road to to meet his transport.
It was great to see all the, Josh not dressed in his usual trendy clothes but looking awkward in his walking attire. Kiss hello to Hol and her mum and a manly handshake for Dad.
We got J's kit out plus a 2kg box of noodles. Then as they wanted a look around the town we drove in.I felt alittle out of place as I tagged along.
A brief tour of Keswick then tearful goodbyes. It was great that Hollys parents had helped keep J and also to deposit him here. They left J with the knowledge that at anytime he felt he needed to back out of the walk there was always them to go to. Maybe that phone call will be sooner than expected.!
The evening was spent going over gear and getting sorted.We did go for a pizza to return to bed.
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