And so it begins

Our Coast to Coast experience began this morning - or, rather, mine did, doing all the pre-preparation stuff to ensure it was even possible to go. This included dropping the dog off at a really super kennels just outside Melmerby http://www.furrytailscj.co.uk/ - Thank you Carol!

Hang on.  'You're walking 192 miles and you're putting your dog in kennels?'  I can hear your judgement from here.

'Why would you leave me behind? Oh, and where's the tennis ball?'

Let me explain.  Jasmine is a nine year old Border Collie (it's her birthday today - Happy Birthday, Jasmine!) and has an obsession with being at the front of any walk, and a secondary obsession with 'rounding up the crew'.  Her primary obsession is with anything remotely 'ball-shaped';  when she was a puppy she literally ran into a tree, almost head on - while chasing a ball.  Therefore, the biggest reason for sending her to FurryTales Kennels instead of walking the Coast to Coast was that if she walks or runs too much, she starts to limp on her front leg.  Even if we could accommodate her in B&Bs en route, she might not be able to keep going. Like me, she's a bit of an old lady now.

So I did that.  Then we had to drop a car at Richmond, North Yorkshire. The Coast to Coast is a bit of a bugger to get back from if you rely on public transport. The best option we found was to drop a car in Richmond now, and at the end of the walk Sherpa Vans will collect us from Robin Hoods Bay and drop us all back at the car.  The alternatives would take HOURS.

We got a taxi to Penrith Station (thank you Cloverleaf Taxis) and set off on our journey to the start of the walk.

I sat in the car for over 4 hours this morning, and then on trains for another hour or two from Penrith to Carlisle, and Carlisle to St Bees this afternoon.

OK - logistics sorted, we arrived in St Bees and it was raining (after a glorious day mostly sat on the A66) but it's fine. We found Lulu's Bistro and rooms just off the station platform, which is where we are staying and where we had dinner. Fabulous - the food was excellent, the rooms are basic but clean and the staff very friendly and helpful.

Railway theme at Lulu's- we wanted to sharpie '3/4' on their sign 

We had a drink in the Coast to Coast bar at The Manor (sounds posher than it was, but they were pleasant enough) and now we're steeling ourselves for the first day of the Coast to Coast tomorrow.

They inadvertently stood in descending order.

Weather forecast looks OK for the next couple of days - if you are interested, here's what they are saying about tomorrow:

Wish us luck!