On the last legs we truly were on our last legs - my fault really as the whole concept of "rest days" completely eluded me. Thankfully our many lovely walking companions consistently revived our flagging spirits.
So who were the heoroes & heroines who helped drag our weary carcasses over the finish line?
From Workington to Whitehaven my big sis Ruth & bruv-in-law Ken (and lunatic dog Maya) journeyed with us, chatting about growing up as city kids & how we learned about nature despite being miles from the nearest cow...
It was also the only time on the entire hike that we got lost - in the middle of a trading estate...
The following day the fabulous folks from the equally fabulous Ennerdale Brewery spent the day with us walking from Whitehaven to St Bees. They then whisked us away to their brewery and forced us to eat the finest steak pie I have ever wolfed down. Fine beer, fine food & great company.
From St Bees we were on our own (after enjoying an ice cream with our lovely friend Kate!) and it was a long old slog down to Seascale. Sellafield dominated the landscape - and our conversation - as we tried piece together what we knew about the site before meeting with one of their media team who filled in the colossal gaps in our knowledge.
We knew the Seascale to Ravenglass stretch was going to be a little bit different/wacky/ nuts because we were walking with the effervescent Sally from Sally's Cottages. There was a LOT of laughter and the miles raced by as she donned a spot of war paint to take on the world. It also turns out she knows just about everyone in the Eskdale Valley...
From Fisherground to Seathwaite (the Duddon one!) it was just me, him, and the rain. As we trudged through the mizzle and midges I thought I was hallucinating when I spied a cake cupboard, thankfully I wasn't and we timed it perfectly as it had just been stocked up with muffins fresh from the oven. Rarrr!
All of a sudden we were looking at our final day! We headed off alone but soon bumped into a local hiking group who were all keen to donate to our Mountain Rescue cause.
The last few miles to the Prince of Wales (Foxfield) flew by and it was wonderful to see Diane Hannah from The Herdy Co waiting for us with a nice cold beer & a giant Herdy.
She very kimdly offered us a lift home so we shamelessy took advantage of her generosity, rounded up some old friends, and took a short detour to our starting point 18 days earlier.
It's been an amazing journey. We have learned a lot and made loads of new friends along the way, and we have so many wonderful stories & experiences to share in our book (out spring 2020).
In the meantime Steve is already cooking up new adventures & has his sights set on Scafell Pike. I'm not ruling it out, I just need some sleep first...
Please don't forget that in amongst all the beer, fun and shennanigans we're raising funds for Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue - you can see more & donate here:
Thank you!
(I'll do a proper thank you to all our supportes over the weekend. Right now I can barely keep my eyes open...)
Snooze away guys, snooze away. Well done, great photo's. Great adventure.
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