The Winners and Losers

Right then the most important part of the trip. The accommodation ratings.

After some bitter arguments over the breakfast table this morning we all agreed (except John who we now believe has a secret liking for miniatures, rocking horses and teddy bear tea parties) that the best accommodation was Easedale House in Keswick.

All accommodation was rated on quality and value for money and whichever way we averaged it out The Walkers Hostel came bottom. Don't go its rubbish.

Other winners of note..

Me - only person to eat a full English breakfast EVERY day.

John and Dad - for fluking the pool tournament last night against Dave and I (poor table to blame)

Day 5 Caldbeck to Carlisle (15 miles)

Finished today in Carlisle!! 15 miles which took just over 5 hours of walking - thats a good pace. The first half was really good along the Caldew valley floor the final half was a hard slog along a tarmac path.

We eventually arrived in Carlisle which if you haven't been is OK......but its not Robin Hoods Bay!!

Thanks to Cathleen for picking is up at the end - very kind.

Overall a great experience and as always a good crack along the way. A nice way to spend 5 days with family that are also great friends (John will no doubt call me soft for saying that!!)

Roll on next year........

Day 4 - Keswick To Caldbeck (15 miles)

One of the best days walking yet with everything being offered by Lakeland. We walked out of Keswick and had great views down the Derwent and patterdale and followed the path behind skiddaw to skiddaw house youth hostel.

A long walk along another valley and up onto High Pike treated us to the last panoramic views of Lakeland, he soleway firth and the pennines in the distance.

The only downside was getting caught in a shower on our way out of Caldbeck to our very nice (but weird) b&b just down the road.

After we had got over the first shock of he interior with teddys bears around the breakfast table and creepy dolls in rocking chairs the owners turned out to be a one in a million.

Our accommodation is about a mile from the local pub and we were concerned that a 2 mile walk was required to get us there and back for something to eat. Not so.

The owners immediately suggested that we take their car!!! 'Don't worry - we just leave the keys in the ignition but we might have had some sheep / hens in it' was the immediate response!! This place is unique and the 20th century is yet to arrive never mind the 21st (hence why this is being sent tomorrow as I have no signal!!)

Anyway off to bed to read another half page of my book - this walking is quite tiring!!

Dog and Gun

If you go to Keswick this summer get yourself to Dog and Gun. Specialise in goulash (with potatoes, dumplings AND a garlic baguette) - it comes in different sizes. '4 large goulash please barman!!'

Dave Clearing The Path Ahead!!

More Day 3 Photos

Day 3 - Langdale to Keswick (15 miles)

After much debate cajoling and arm twisting we decided upon the high route today. So after the usual full English it was on with boots turn left and straight up and over!!

Up to stickle tarn and over high raise down on the coast to coast route down into borrowdale and then up Derwent water to Keswick. At 2500 ft High Raise was by far the biggest hill climbed so far but the views were amazing - well worth it.

I am pleased to report that daves navigation was spot on today - however whenever asked how far a certain point on the route was Dave always seemed to know that it was 'just round the corner' or only 'one and a half miles away' !!!

Arrived safely at Easedale House in Keswick. Nice place with good beds and a hot shower. Pint anyone..:)

Flight of the navigators

They were better today.....!!!

Day 2 - more photos

Day 2 - Coniston to Great Langdale (12 miles)

Great day today walking from the southern lakes into the heart of Lakeland up Langdale valley. The team seem to have shaken off the tired limbs from yesterday's long walk and were soon into their stride.

Johns second prediction of an easy flat walk turned to out to be bang on the money again today as we toiled up our first hill outside of Coniston however daves map reading has improved markedly as we did not get lost once today!!

We stopped at the 'tat' shop at skelwith bridge but beat a hasty retreat as it was too busy (sorry girls no more junk for our houses) so John sat on his own and eat his 3 day old cheese sandwich whilst Dave, dad and I had a sausage sandwich in the hotel next door.

Dinner tonight in the dungeon ghyll hotel - nice. I hope they have steak.

Loweswater Gold

Is excellent at the Sun Inn at Coniston.... :)

Day 1 Ulverston to Coniston (17 miles)

Great start to the Cumbrian way today. After some biblical rain showers we set off from the coast towards lakeland in the distance.

Not as many people do the Cumbrian way so we only had ourselves for company and a couple of frenchies. We soon settled into the pace and thoughts turned to the first pint at Coniston.

The walk felt longer than the 17 miles but the walk along the lake into the southern lakes was worth every step. We dived into the sun inn (well worth a visit) for a pint and then found our accommodation at Lakeland house (also very good).

Now off to the Sun Inn again to have a steak. Walking doesnt get better than this :)

Dave at the Walkers Hostel

Dave it's £17.50 a night - where's the beef!!

Day 0 - Arrived at hostel (Dave reckons from hell but he's never been to Kirkby Stephen!!!

Well we finally made it to the starting point at Ulveston. Dave is not impressed by the first nights accommodation however after our exploits last year on the coast to coast it seems a palatial two bed studio...: )

Apparently Ulveston is an "unassuming market town" on the edge of the lakes......hmmmmm seems a one horse town to me. Anyway - nice beer in the local boozer with a plate of chips.

Checklist

Accommodation booked - check
Travel booked - check
Packing done - check

Everything is ready to rock and roll. We just need to keep the fingers crossed for fair weather.....

Invites Out

Right then Ted, Dave, Tony & John......are you coming along??

New Years Resolution

So after too much turkey at Christmas and much reminiscing about the coast to coast the question is what to do in 2011...??   The Cumbrian Way - excellent idea.  70 miles (so not too much time away) and straight through England's Lake District.  Our route will take from Ulverston in the south to Carlisle in the North via Coniston, Keswick and Caldbeck.