Patterdale to Shap Day 4 - 16 miles

Eary start today. Had a big day ahead. The last climb of the Lakes. The walk around Patterdale was quite nice and pleasant and perhaps gave me false ideas, cos boy was I in for a shock. The climb, after meandering along a nice lane, came and looked ok, sort of. But boy, once starting, you realise how much you are climbing. And did my legs hurt - they screamed at me for the first half hour! They are only little after all and I have put them through their paces this week. Well I carried on, and on and on and eventually came to Angle Tarn. Was very impressive, the sun was nice and warm and off came the outer clothes. Shorts and T-shirt. Can't be bad. Got overtaken by a couple I have seen every day.
Climbed on after the Tarn, slowly and steadily. Then came the main climb, and boy was it some climb - right up to Kidsty Pike. 750m. Doesn't sound much does it? Well you try it and let me know.
Was well worth it though once to the top. The views are spectacular. (photos will have to be added later I think) But boy did the weather change. How quick could I get dressed? And after all the climb, well I had to come down. The descent was just as steep and quite precarious! Loose shale which slipped from under your feet. So took me quite a while to come down. My legs where screaming again too,cos you use different muscles on the way down.
I eventually made it down just after one, and the sun had come out again. At the bottom of the descent is Haweswater, so it was a nice place to take off the outer gear - boots too, and relax and have lunch. I did indulge in half an hour in the sun.
The walk alongside Haweswater took two hours, but was quite pleasant and brought me out at a little village called Burnbanks. About ten houses, one phone box and no pub! could have murdered a lager! Then came the rain! very heavy, so the waterproofs had to come out. Rain! I hadn't ordered any. Think my gear just wanted an outing. well it had been carried round for four days without seeing daylight!
Another five miles to go across farmland before I could stop for the day.
The rain lasted about twenty mins, and once it stopped I stripped back off. Wish it would decide what it was doing.
I eventually came to my last mark on the map. Shap Abbey. This point marks the change The guide book says only 20 min walk to Shap village from the Abbey. It lies. It took me 45 mins. Well I was tired and did I mention that I only have little legs?
Then I found out my hotel was at the other end of the village! Will forgive them that tho, cos the path for tomorrow is actually across the road! 21 miles tomorrow to Kirby Stephen, across the M6 - by bridge obviously. Early night now. At least tomorrow is flat - no climb till the pennines!
Is it worth it so far? Yes. I feel proud of what I have covered - 62 miles completed!

Just in case I don't manage to get at you and put your arm up you back, here is an alternative to sponsoring me on the walk.

Any monies raised will be gratefully used to the best we can.

http:/www.justgiving.com/christine-cole

January 2010

Countdown

It's actually only 17 weeks to the big start date!
Gosh, better step (sorry about the pun) up the training.

Got the itinerary of what dates I will be walking and for how many miles, so here goes:

Sunday 9th May - St Bees too Ennerdale - 14 miles
Monday 10th May - Ennerdale to Rosthwaite - 14 miles
Tuesday 11th May - Rosthwaite to Patterdale - 18 miles
Weds 12th May - Patterdale to Shap - 16 miles
Thurs 13th May - Shap to Kirby Stephen - 21 miles
Friday 14th May - Kirby Stephen to Keld - 13 miles
Saturday 15th May - Keld to Reeth - 11 miles
Sunday 16th May - Reeth to Richmond - 11 miles
Monday 17th May - Richmond to Ingleby Cross - 22 miles
Tuesday 18th May - Ingleby Cross to Great Broughton - 13 miles
Weds 19th May - Great Broughton to Glaisdale - 19 miles
Thurs 20th May - Glaisdale to Robin Hoods Bay - 19 miles