Shap to Glenridding

2Jun2015 - What an adventure. The storm blew through overnight so we decided to give it a go.  Left at 9:15 and even had some Sun. After 11 miles of rolling hills we finally got to the 'real' mountains. Up and over with many ups and downs we actually climed 6,700 feet over the course of the walk. On the ridgelines we had difficulty standing upright. Couldn't have made it without the poles allowing us to walk upright. Must have had gusts of 50 to 60mph. The long downhill slog to Patterdale was as difficult as the slog up. Arrived at Patterdale and then another 1.5 miles trough Patterdale, where we stopped for dinner at 9PM, then on to the Mosscrag Guest House. The day ended at 10PM. Mark, the owner, was about ready to call Mountain Rescue.  Have to admit that the GPS saved us a couple of times. Without Garmin we would have need the Mountain Rescue. Anyhow, it was a long 19 mile day, but we made it. Today we're off to Grasmere, only about a ten mile day with only a moderate climb.

6/1/15 Robyn

After we left or lovely guesthouse (on the right in the first picture below) and had a delicious breakfast at The George, it took us awhile to find the trail out of Orton. I wish there were better Coast to Coast markings in the towns where you stay. 

The walk was a day of good news/ bad news. The good news is that we did have the wind at our back for a fair share of the trek, which was a first, AND it was a short day. The bad news was that the temperature dropped and it began raining after our halfway point. We were headed to Shap which was a bit more industrial with a quarry and having to cross a highway luckily on a footpath. 

We arrived at our B and B too early so we went to the Greyhound Hotel to have some Lunch/dinner so we wouldn't have to venture out in the rain again after getting changed. The food was wonderful and they had a lovely coal fire. Cheers!

Orton to Shap

1 June 2015 - A short day, only 9.5 miles. The predicted 3PM rain hit us at 1PM. Rained until we reached Shap at 2:45PM. Temperature dropped to about 45°, even a  few snow flakes.

5/31/15 Robyn

Lovely omelette breakfast at the B and B this morning. Nice change from the full English Breakfast. Spent lots of time in fields and had to find a spot for lunch among the dung. Luckily we had our rain gear on again although it was another off and on day of sprinkles and wind. 

Here is the lunch spot. 

Made it to Orton and The George Hotel and after refreshments they took us to a guest cottage they had arranged for us. FUN! Had a lovely dinner at the George. I got the LAST lamb shank and it was superb. Although reminded me of the lamb that escaped from the rest today. 

Kirkby-Stephen to Orton

31May2015 - Before getting to today's walk what a surprise we had last night. Came back to the Jolly Farmer B&B and there was Ray Bentley in the sitting room. Sara and I met Ray last October while waiting to catch the ferry from Cherbourg, France to Portsmouth, U.K. He advised us the ferry went to Poole. Long story short, he invited us to stay at his place at Weymouth. Saved us a 90 mile ride, in the dark, on the wrong side of the road, in pouring rain. Anyhow, I gave Ray our itinerary for the C2C and he surprised us and rode up on his GS (a Beemer). Great seeing him again, now we have to get him over to Reno to ride.

We left this morning at 8:45, hiked the 13 miles to Kirkby-Stephen, arriving at 15:30. About 2,300 feet of elevation gain but no rain to speak of. Tomorrow is an 'easy' day because the day after tomorrow is a 17 mile killer with an eight mile steep climb.

5/30/15 Robyn

Squelchy and UP UP UP were the themes today. After we left Thwaite we had some beautiful views of the countryside. 

We were still following the river which gave some beautiful views. 

Then we got to the boggy areas. That's where the squelchy came from and I was thankful for waterproof gaiters. Since we are heading east to west instead of the normal west to east, we had the added challenge of a lot more uphill besides the usual west wind. We had a wonderful farm along the way that offered scones and tea as we made our way up to the Nine Standards. The chickens there really seemed to like Jeff. 

 The Nine Standards are cairns that are from the 17th century and it was very cool once we arrived at the summit. The boggy moors was like I imagine walking on the moon. 

When we arrived at Kirkby Stephen at our B and B, I loved the flower boots. 

5/29/15 Robyn

Here we are all set for our first rain day. It actually was on and off all day. Of course when the guys took their rain gear off, it started again! It was a wonderful day in Yorkshire Dales National Park and following the Swale River. 

Still love all the walls and sheep. 

 Stopped at a wonderful tearoom again for lunch. 

Then on Muker and to the Swaledale Woolen shop before ending up at our destination in Thwaite where we had a wonderful dinner.