So an idea followed by a rough plan resulted in KA tackling the Cumbria Way over 3 days. Little prep or training had gone into this, but it was close to home and should weather or fitness dictate plenty of options to cut short.
This epic adventure started the way all should, breakfast.....toasted crumpets and tea in Booths, Ulverston, just a short way from the official start. A small monument marks the start and we are soon heading across very wet and muddy farmland, as was the case for the first few hours. The terrain then improved but the weather deteriated. Very wet and windy at Beacon Tarn but we are soon down to Coniston Water and some relevant some relative shelter, even a few patches of blue sky and sunshine.
Once in Coniston lunch was required, we headed to Meadowdore for beans on toast, this would either provide protein fuelled energy to get us through to Elterwater or, perhaps, some other form of propulsion ! So having had breakfast, then lunch a mid afternoon drink stop seemed to be in order. Dry now but still the refuge of a cosy wee barn was very welcome. Only a couple of miles from here to the end of day one and some comfort at the Britannia Inn.
Day 2 started bright and after a filling breakfast we made a steady start down the Langdale Valley and then over Stake Pass. The weather turns here, wet and windy and it stays that way for the remainder of the day. Once down in the Langstrath Valley we pass Blackmoss Pot, but are not in the mood to jump in !, then out to Rosthwaite, lunch stop.
A short afternoon's run from there, familiar paths to Grange, then along the lake to Portinscale. BG route into Keswick and a quick zip into Booths to resupply; we are wet and cold so head straight to the guest house, a mile or so out of town, we only stop to wash the mud off our shoes and legs.....not sure we would have been let in otherwise !
Tea, shower, was and dry kit and then taxi into town for some great food and drink in the Square Orange, a favourite.
Day 3 is the long one,we had covered about 22 miles on the first, 18 on the second and we now had a 30 miler ! But it's dry and that helps. We pick up the old railway line which leads us back towards town, then it's the BG route to behind Latrigg. From there we break off East to Skiddaw House Hostel and then follow the Caldew East. Once we hit the Tarmac, it's a sharp right turn and a climb to Lingy Hut. It's cold up here and the very boggy ground is freezing. We seek refuge in the hut and are offered some coffee by a friend Wainwright bagged and his friend, very welcome....thank you.
We are then back out into the cold and push on to High Pike, the highest point of the trail. It's all downhill from there to Caldbeck and some very welcome soup and scone in a cafe. Less excitement from here to Carlisle, we follow the river, miss the diversion, follows lanes and back onto the trail. Plenty of muddy fields again and from Dalston it's a pen unpleasant Tarmac cycle way to the centre of Carlisle; the last 10 miles or so were not that inspiring but so be it.
Once in Carlisle we look out of place, the path finishes at the Visitor Centre, in the main pedestrian shopping area. We dive into Costa for tea and use their facilities to get changed. Then it's off to find food, a celebratory, and very delicious, burger and beer :-).
Then train home to Oxenholme and sadly back to reality......but a great trip.
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