Day 1 Walking
St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge
Low Cock Farm
14 miles 7.5 hours
Plus an additional 3 miles to get dinner.
After breakfast said good bye to Carole the hostess, confirmed my flight bag was snug in a drawer until my return. Set off in bright SUNSHINE for the beach and the official start of the Coast to Coast. Had my photo taken by a couple who were from Oregon. Dipped the boots in the water. Collected pebbles to travel across England with me.
Carole the hostess with the mostest
War memorial
Dipping the boots
The door to my room was very short. Gary might have had to duck.
The climb up the bluff from St Bees was not as difficult as it was the first time. Possibly in a bit better condition even with the tendonitis slowing me down.
Looking down at Fledwick Bay inlet
Made the curve around the lighthouse on the path which was quite close to the edge of land. Stopped. Took boots off. Aired feet. Put little protectors on a couple toes that were being squeezed. No blisters needed.
A guy from Arizona (Kent) came quickly up behind me. Quick exchange of quick words before he strode off into the bright sun. Must be nice to have long legs as they seemed to make for quick walking.
Met two white haired men as they were just getting started. They had camped in a field behind the local caravan (trailer) park.
A man missing two front teeth rode up on his bike and wanted to offer advice about how I should hike Hadrian's Wall on my return. Then he wanted to know the exchange rate for British pounds to US dollars. Said he is a horse breeder and one of his mares had a baby this morning. The newborn was only 4 hours old and he had already sold it to a buyer in the US for $8,000. I asked how the purchase would travel to America - by plane.
This was the location for the first "getting lost" experience 4 years ago. The little sign post in the center was not there and my entire group went straight ahead and ended up at a dead end in a farmyard. There two other lost souls were standing and looking confused. No problem today with the new direction indicator.
Statue of Alfred Wainwright
In Cleator stopped at a very tiny store, think so small I could hardly turn around with the backpack on. Chose lunch supplies. Chicken tikka sandwich and icy cold coke. Sat on a curb with the legs stretched out in front of this hiker. It felt good.
This was obviously not the chicken that was eaten.
Struggled up Dent Hill. Fantastic views in all directions. Irish Sea. North to Welsh mountains dimly visible. Eastward were the Lake District mountains to be started tomorrow.
On the summit of Dent two men were sitting out of the wind and eating their lunch. Recognized them from breakfast when they were telling a story about a camel purchase in Australia from an Aboriginal man.
Descent of Dent Hill was extremely steep. I went down slowly planting the trekking poles with care. The feet were placed sideways. Tough on knees, hips and ankles.
This photo shows the two men coming down the steep slope.
The men eventually passed by this slow person. The older man was walking with a cane, and wore the fancy black hat, and...was wearing a suit coat jacket.
Once down to the Nannycatch valley the stream was occasionally flowing over the path.
Tonight's home is Low Cock Farm. It is also a riding stable. When I arrived Dorethy, the proprietor, asked if where I lived was close to Colorado. No. I asked why. Apparently she had just sent one of her horses to a farm located about 9,000 feet above sea level. How did the horse get there? It was driven to France and from there flew to JFK. From there driven overland to the Rocky Mountains.
Horses apparently travel off this island.
Low Cock Farm is located 1.5 miles from Ennerdale Bridge so after a quick shower this hiker had to walk downhill to get food, and then back UP that hill, and tomorrow morning will have to repeat that downhill to meet up with where the hike begins.
Lentil soup with a side of veggies.
A man and woman sat next to me and as the tables were close together it was impossible not to listen to their conversation. They too had started the C2C today. I asked where they were from - Ontario. They asked me - Wisconsin. I began to tell the story of two years ago while on Offa's Dyke Path I met a couple who had stayed with me one night on the C2C two years before that. Then the couple (Erica and Kent) I was telling that story to got all excited. They had met me on Offa's Dyke as they were beginning and I was nearing completion. SMALL WORLD. Most likely will see them many times over the next two weeks.
This funny pipe surrounded by a grate goes up the middle of my bedroom. I think it must be the flue for the fireplace located downstairs This place used to be for the cattle and has been remodeled. No cows allowed now. There are two bedrooms but the single bathroom is downstairs and out through a door, but thankfully not but into the backyard. And, there is no sink in the room so a trip down is necessary for water. And, there is no tea or coffee making tray available. Already I have become spoiled.
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