The Lake District Weatherline is very well written - they have 74 different ways to say it's going to piss it down all day.
Each time we check the forecasts it prompts an 'Oh, that doesn't look too bad' from my English husband. Meanwhile I'm looking at it going, 'It's just saying the rain will stop and will be followed by showers. That's still rain, they just think it sounds friendlier.'
After yesterdays 'rain and showers', our boots are still soaked and we've got 8 miles to walk, to Orton. We are encouraged by the prospect of a chocolate shop called Kennedy's that allegedly awaits us there. They'd better be open, if they know what's good for them, that's all I'm saying.
Day 6 seemed like a bit of a cheat. In splitting the 'stage' between Shap and Kirby Stephen into two days, meant that we only had to walk 8 miles today. Of course, it means 12 miles tomorrow, but it's still better than 20 in one day. We've got that distance and longer to come.
We had plenty of time (between us) to visit the chocolate 'factory' and café, drink a delicious Mocha, fall asleep in the beer garden and attend an interview via Skype (a first for me).
So - the walk. We crossed the railway line, and the M6 motorway (not exactly picturesque, but some friendly motorists waved at us, which was fun). The horses were beautiful.
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| Limestone |
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| Lapwing |
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| Kiln |
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| Orton |
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| If you can't find a Ryder, where will you look first? |
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| Ahh, there's mine. |
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| And there's the other one. (No beer had been consumed!) |
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| I love these bridges! |
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| Mocha at Kennedy's |
We crossed fields and limestone plateaus in the rain - sorry, not rain - it 'showered' all day. It was that fine rain that soaks you through (Peter Kay). Our boots were still wet from yesterday, as I said before, so now I am starting to worry about Trench Foot.
We saw beautiful horses and Lapwings (also known as Peewit or Green Plover).
Kennedys were advertising at several points along the way, on gates and stiles - trying to entice walkers who were planning to go to Kirby Stephen to take a detour for a sugar fix. The Coast to Coast walkers who passed us and went marching off into the distance weren't going to be tempted. They probably had nothing but granola and fruit in their lunch. Tofu salad or something. We had mars bars but I bet we were more joyful.
Happily, Kennedy's were open. Lucky for them, or we would have been forced to execute a covert operation once night fell to break in and consume our body weight in confectionary.
We were too early to get in our room, hence the beer garden nap. The George has provided us with very attractive rooms, wifi code (but only downstairs because of the 'thick walls'). So far so good for our 'short day'. As the kids keep pointing out, it's still 8 miles! Not that bloody short.
Quotes of the day:
John: I want to get there before we lose the views.
Megan: Views? What views? It's all just grass.
Doobs: I’m not leaving here until I’ve drunk this hot chocolate. Yesterday I walked for 9 and a half hours and had 17 minutes rest!
Megan: You made him, Grandad, and now it’s come back to bite you on the arse.
(Anyone who has walked with Doobs in the last 25- 30 years will understand the reference to the 'frog-march' that awaits anyone who joins a Ryder-led walk. The only difference is that 2nd Generation is now leading, and 1st Generation is on the receiving end of the 'Right, we're off' method of encouragement.) Saying all that, I'm still here so it can't be all that bad.
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