FIRST TWO DAYS OF THE WALK HAVE GONE FINE ONE BLISTER THOUGH ON TOE

22/7/2016

It was a very hectic day on Wednesday getting everything cleared out of the way including getting the latest truck films edited then packing for the walk and an early nights sleep ready for an early start on Thursday up in Cumbria where we arrived as the other who had stayed overnight were just having breakfast. The weather was fair enough, a few spots of rain - it wasn't too challenging day and we had both a coffee stop and lunch stop at a community pub where as well as fine Cumbrian ale they had the biggest sandwiches I've ever encountered. We passed through some amazing villages which if in say the Cotswolds or Lake District would have been heaving but we had the to ourselves and only passed two other walkers all day. The state of the footpaths was pretty rough in places as was some of the signage or lack of it. We seemed to keep to schedule with Mandy and Elspeth providing logistic support. We had a very nice country house stay and had a meal with the others at The George a pub in Orton. As we left this morning we'd seen a couple of woodpeckers then coming along the drive a red squirrel.

Today was a much tougher proposition, certainly no coffee shops or pubs as we were working our way across country including a stretch across the fells off any track save perhaps the odd sheep trail. It was a bit of a test for myself, walking were just the three of us and I was usually bringing up the rear. Our descent from the fells wasn't quite the spot we intended and we had to contend with a steep river gulley and I ended up with what turned out to be a blister as well as a few tumbles , lots of horse fly bites and thistle stings which thankfully last a far shorter time than stinging nettles. Roger and his dog made a good team with lots of opportunities for her training amidst sheep. We later followed the Dales Way footpath and we tracked alongside the M6 from the other side of the river Lune which of course we have driven past at speed on hundreds of journeys strange to be foot slogging it. With the blister halting progress I only just managed the last mile or so but did it all the same and am up and ready for the Monday start. Once again we were always welcomed by the other halves in support who managed to identify our 'landing' places even when they had changed. We saw some wonderful scenery and bellow is a selection of shots split between first Thursday and then Friday, I've sent the link to those most interested and put some on the Just Giving site ( allow an hour or two) and you are very welcome to sponsor me particularly as I've now put a lot of real effort into it.

The shots above all from Thursday the afternoon stretch and arrival at Orton is below (you are welcome to download as required)

Next the exhausting trip we undertook today, the first photo for some reason is the last when we met up with our support crew ( better halves throughout)