Distance: 25.9 Kms [50.9 Kms]
Walking time: 6h 28m [12h 8m]
Avg walking speed: 4.0 Kms/hr [4.2 Kms/hr]
Elevation G/L meters: 606:(634) [1,441:(1,372)]
Total Daily Steps: 40,725 [75,300]
What a day! Let me see…fairly heavy rain for first two hours and last hour…some sunshine…incredible scenery…very tricky and tough walking around the lake…two scary moments…holy!
Last evening we had an excellent and enjoyable meal at the Fox and Hounds.
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| Beef and mushroom pie…delicious! |
Delightful chat about various and sundry which eventually turned to US politics…I did not go there! However Diane did mention that when the 45th President was inaugurated they were in Mexico and she considered asking for political asylum 😂. So Democratic leaning…it was a funny moment!
This morning we sat beside a couple from Austria…again likely in our age range. Similarly enjoyable talking with them…nice to find common ground ie they have been to Nepal as well. Clearly they are seasoned walkers…nice start to the day.
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| Cumberland English Breakfast!!! |
Ok must get this out of the way…rip the bandage off time 😪 The Packa and I had a major disagreement and we have temporarily parted ways. Was trying to place cover on…somehow resulting in water bottle spilling everywhere. My fault but I simply said « I need a break! » May have said other not so nice things as well.
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| Suited up for the rain |
We met up with Craig shortly after leaving and spent the morning…into the afternoon…walking with him. An interesting fellow resulting in time passing quickly.
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| Craig |
The final people encounter came on the trail meeting Frances and Richard from New Zealand. Again likely similar ages…they have walked all over New Zealand and in Europe…I think it’s safe to say Kiwi’s have the adventurous spirit!
Of course I had to relay the crazy stuff that my daughter Jeanne did in New Zealand years ago…bungee jumping, skydiving, white water river rafting and zorbing (in a plastic ball with some water rolling down a hill until you hit a fence). I don’t think they thought any of this was out of the ordinary 😂
We took the low route however it was far far far from easy! The walking along the lake was incredibly rocky, water everywhere on the trail. This type of walking…couple of hours worth… takes significant concentration…twisting an ankle is not on the program!!! Always looking a few feet ahead…trying to find that walking line over rocks and using stepping stones to cross mountain streams. Once through I was exhausted…a few pictures may help…
Two scary moments
The first happened just after lunch…picture below shows a large black shape in the bushes…who would have thought it was possible in the Lakeland District 😰 Never even in my dangerous animal nightmares! I walked very quickly away.
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| YES IT’S a Black Bear I am sure!!! |
The second came in the last half hour of the day when Greg wanted to follow the official route rather than walk along the road.
Ok fair enough until we came to a major river and had to scamper delicately along huge rocks…lest we slip we are in the drink! BUT at some point we actually had to use chains drilled into the rock to move along the shoreline. Geez…sorry I did not get a picture however this will give you a good idea of what we faced. Not kidding!!!
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| Close Enough!!! |
In the afternoon we had another major climb up to a mountain pass…man that was tiring!!! However the looong climb down was fairly gradual!
Injury report - so far so good for both of us. Sore muscles of course as expected early. Little bruise at end of toe which is odd…suspect the wicked descent and jamming against end of shoe day 1 caused that.
That’s about it for quite an unforgettable day! On to tomorrow where the forecast is dreadful…heavy rain. Short day at 15 kms however we understand a number of stream crossings with rock hopping are required. Hope to stay out of the drink…had a few booters today!😪
Also wanted to mention that yesterday I sent an email to the Smidge Company outlining that the Smidge order…while supposedly delivered…was never received at the Stonehouse B&B. I simply indicated that given the circumstances I thought I was entitled to a full refund! Can’t hurt to try…$40 is $40! Today nice email received…a full refund has been processed! 😊
Again the only way to try to show the spectacular scenery is through pictures…
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| Great lunch! |
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