Photographs so far - a sample

Judy's struggling to add photographs to the blog en route and I'm struggling to add pictures to her posts (sorry to any techies out there who can't believe that something so simple etc etc ...).

So I'm trying a new post that includes a few images from the Lake District leg of the C2C - starting with St Bees (on the beach with Wasdale MRT) then one of Cockermouth MRT members (at Ennerdale Bridge with dogs too) and one with Sir Chris Bonington (at Grasmere).

Shame that the gorgeous sunshine from these images is now a memory but hope that the blue skies return as the Twirlies head for Yorkshire.

Press Officer joins walk ... for about a mile or so

The Twirlies were due to pass Orton up on the limestone scar during Saturday morning so the Seed family timed their dog walk to meet them on the scar, walk to Scar Side (for a quick cup of tea/lemonade/coffee at Dave and Elaine's) and then walk around Street Lane before the Twirlies headed off towards Sunbiggin Tarn and their rendezvous with Kirkby Stephen MRT.

Gail and Judy seem in fine spirits and plenty of their fellow walkers have been really supportive of the fundraising side as well - thanks, Canadians - you know who you are!

Sylvia and Mavis make my day!

Well, the rain didn't stop, did it? So off we set from The White Lion (thanks Ali for a great evening meal and superb breakfast) kitted up in the waterproof overtrousers and Paramo - the first time we've actually used the latter in anger, other than sunny photo opportunities. And, no surprise to Paramo fans, it did the job admirably.

Must admit I'm still at the 'not sure I trust this do what it says it will' stage, especially with this lightweight Velez Adventure Smock (so lightweight it makes the 'normal' Paramo seem positively heavy. So I was wearing two thin layers underneath and, boy, was I warm! Perfectly dry underneath and, as soon as we walked down out of the rain, and the sun came out, it dried out very quickly.

Anyway... That's enough about our sponsors lol!

Despite the rain, another fantastic day's walk. 15 miles today but taking in the highest point of the Coast to Coast, Kidsty Pike. It says in the guide book that this particular point looks far more impressive from afar than it does once you reach it, and that about sums it up. It was a pretty steady climb out of Patterdale - the key to success, we're learning fast, is to slow down to a steady plod, and just keep going. Do it in fits and starts and you're stuffed!

Some concern that we might miss the sharp left turn from High Street up towards the Pike, but no problem at all. On we plodded and, just before reaching the Pike, looming out of the mist came three mountain rescue jackets - now I know how it feels! Big wave to Ian, Ian and Glen who joined us then for the last few feet to the top and an anti-climactic photo at the summit cairn. Sadly, no views today. We were told of the eagle often seen soaring beneath the Pike at Riggingdale. Left to our imaginations today.

The five of us then continued down towards Haweswater, where the clouds lifted and the sun reappeared. Hope it stays that way (although the lightning hitting the hills this evening was somewhat worrying!). Lunch stop overlooking the reservoir then slogging on along the water's edge for... Ooh.... ages. All good apart from an annoying little leg-burner just before Castle Crag - JUST when you think you've done with climbing for the day!

The lads had parked the team vehicle as close as they could to the path, and eventually we rejoined it. More photos! And then a dilemma: do we blag a lift down to Burnbanks or do we do the honourable thing and keep on walking? Well what do you think? Keep walking, of course. Although we will admit to throwing our packs in the back of the Land Rover for a short while! Ian followed us down to Burnbanks in the vehicle, as Ian C and Glenn walked alongside us (gloriously pack-free). And there we met Sylvia and Mavis...

As we bade our farewells to the lads, out from the houses emerged two wonderful, elderly ladies, asking whether we had a collecting tin. Seems they saw us on the TV last week, thought we'd be coming through some time today, and had been on the look out so as not to miss us! And, as they popped their own coins in the tin, out came an elderly gent from across the way, saying he'd heard me on the radio! Am still getting over it! And thank you SO much to them!

 

Mavis and Sylvia make our day!

Final slog across fields, past Shap Abbey, and on to Shap and The Hermitage, where we stay tonight. Amazing place!!

Met by Sally (press officer extraordinaire!) for a run up to the pub and dinner, and a chat about press stuff. Joined by Kaz for a quick drink too. Good to catch up, although much of the news today has not been good. I know it's all out there in the news now so safe to post here, but tragic news today of David Watt, long standing member of the Kirkby Stephen team, who we're due to meet tomorrow. David sadly died in a light aircraft crash yesterday evening. He was an accomplished pilot, active rescue team member and SARDA handler. We feel sure he'll be greatly missed and we're thinking of his family and friends at such a sad time.

Anyway, it's been (made up word alert) a fantacular day. We look forward to tomorrow, although not sure out feet feel the same way.

Early start in the morning

Patterdale, and it's raining. There's a surprise.

Arrived in Patterdale - only a short hop today so indulged in a rather late start. In fact, later than we'd planned really, delayed in no small part by my bladder crisis. No, not THAT sort of bladder crisis! Behave yourself!

No, half way down the stairs for the off and I suddenly became aware of a distinct wetness down my left side - the one the rucksack was slung over. Stopped mid-stair to feel underneath the sack and realised it wasn't just damp: there appeared to be water streaming through it. Hot foot back up to the room to investigate, thinking the thing had burst and it turns out it's user-error (Hah! No. Surprise there then!). I've screwed the top back on to the water bladder in rather hasty fashion, and water is now being forced out the top of it with every move I make.

Only a slight delay though - thanks to the super-absorbent towels of the Grasmere Hotel - and we're off. Bit of a climb out from Grasmere, but we have the hills to ourselves. Wonder where our Canadian friends have got to but assume they must be way ahead - feel sure their guide will have drummed them out of bed for an early start. Maybe, maybe not. Later, as we continue to climb slowly up Little Tongue Gill, we see them far below us, strolling along the lower path of Tongue Gill. They wave up to us.

When we meet them later, there's much teasing comment about us being happy to talk to them today, now we no longer have our 'celebrity friend' with us. Glad to hear, though, it made their holiday too, to see a famous face on their way across England.

Our only other encounter that side of the hill was a poor unsuspecting chap, a lone walker taking the weight off his boots and enjoying the view across to Great Rigg, who engaged Gail in conversation. Let you into a secret: we've almost perfected this double act now. In she went with the chatter then, just when he's least expecting it: 'Any loose change on you today?' as I lean towards him with the collecting box, helpfully nestling in a side pocket of the rucksack.

Speaking of which, brilliant news today from our friend at Tricketts insurance, Stephen Darwen. The thumb screws must have worked because Liverpool Victoria have kindly now pledged a further £100 towards our funds. The cheque is winging it's way to us as I type. So, once again Stephen, thank you for your efforts, and thank you (of course) to Liverpool Victoria.

Back on the path we run into our young friends from the Ennerdale Bridge B&B. Really glad to see them still going, despite our concerns. 'We're tortoises,' they say. 'But we get there in the end.' Now feel sure they will. But will be keeping an eye out for them along the way. When we met, they'd been rattled by a passing couple who, completely unsolicited, had taken them to task for walking without poles, wearing inappropriate footwear... you name it. Now that's fine but, at that point in time, their footwear was perfectly adequate for the conditions and er... I wasn't using my pole for the descent either.

Personally, I use them on the uphill, not on the down where I know from experience I'm perfectly capable of tripping myself up with them. Gail, on the other hand, uses hers on the way down, not on the climb up. Personal preference. And, as I understand it, the jury is still out whether poles are a good or a bad thing. Debate at your leisure.

And it WAS quite funny when, not long afterwards, I heard a cry from Gail (hysterical laughter as it happened), who was crossing the wooden bridge behind me. Her pole had jammed in the slats, as she carried on going. Okay and funny on this occasion but a classic scenario for accident-in-the-making.

Anyway, we'll look out for our young friends now. As I say, hope they stay the course, and I have a sneaky suspicion they will.

Photoshoot with our friends at Patterdale this evening then we'll be back down to the White Lion for a nightcap. Long day tomorrow with the climb to the highest point on the Coast to Coast, to Kidsty Pike. Penrith team members are meeting us there to walk back down to their vehicle a Haweswater. It's started to rain this evening, but hopefully it won't dampen our spirits too much. At least we have the Paramo to keep us dry!

Until tomorrow, then...

Eccles cakes and iPads with Sir Chris

And so to Grasmere...

Left Gillercombe and the parrot (which, incidentally, entertained us during our magnificent breakfast with a full and extensive repertoire of songs old and new: a parrot-style 'Name that tune') and headed down the road towards Rosthwaite village where we were due to meet Sir Chris.

The three of us set off alongside Stonethwaite Beck, climbing steadily upwards towards Grasmere Common, passing underneath a stunning Eagle Crag (which Chris was clearly VERY tempted to clamber up!). Great conversation and a good giggle throughout as we chatted about any number of topics. What struck me most was how life brings those things to you which are for you. Five or six years ago, when Bob Sharp and I launched our book, 'Mountain Rescue' at the Kendal Mountain Book Festival (part of the Film Festival), we were sandwiched between a line up of mountaineering greats: George Band, Doug Scott... and Sir Chris Bonington, on after us in the book signing stakes. Feeling I should say hello, not least as a fellow author, I chickened out, not knowing what to say by way of a starter! And here I was, six years later, sharing a day on the hill with him and chatting away like old friends. Turns out we even know people in common. Small world.

The day was entertainingly punctuated by a series of encounters with fellow walkers, their faces a picture... Er isn't that?.... One couple we met, came towards me after Chris had passed. 'My wife thinks that looks like Chris Bonington,' said the chap. 'It is,' I said, 'why don't you go and chat to him.' And off they shot down the hill to catch him up. And as they said their goodbyes, out came the tin!

The big group of Canadians who are walking the same route to Robin Hood's Bay, in the company of a guide, were equally as awed. When we'd mentioned, yesterday, the celebrity companion we had today, they were unsure who we meant. In the flesh, the realisation dawned. And the expression on their guide's face was a picture! 'Did you just bump into him?' he asked. 'No, we arranged to meet him,' I said, barely suppressing the urge to punch the air in glee. Tee hee!

Arrived in Grasmere at 1.30 (so a short day), where we expected to be met by Langdale Ambleside team members. Just tucking into our beers when in comes a text from Nick explaining they'll be a bit late due to a call out. Beginning to wonder whether I should email ahead to Patterdale and warn them of imminent job - we do seem to be bringing them with us.

Anyway, it gave Chris and I a chance to catch up with our iPhone and iPad, read a few emails, download an app or two, tweet and make friends on Facebook. He was very impressed - as everyone has been thus far - by the ViewRanger software, including the fact it continues to work despite not having a phone signal. GPS goes on tracking you regardless. So does the Buddy Beacon if you remember to switch it back on! Do they cover the Himalaya, he wondered. Over to you Craig - sounds like a development opportunity!

Langdale arrived, complete with team photographer Paul Burke - check out some great pix (not least we two Apple-ites, heads buried in cyberspace!) - on the Langdale Ambleside Facebook page. In fact, why not become a fan while you're at it?

Photo shoot done, we bade a fond farewell to Sir Chris and he was whisked away to rejoin his car in Rosthwaite, leaving us to catch up on blogging.

Which brings me back to where I came in... blogs now dutifully up to date. Please keep spreading the word and get those donations coming in. Another short hop to Patterdale today then the hard work really starts as we trog through the bogs and over the Pennines into bandit country.

Speak to you later, signals permitting.

Would you like parrots with that?

Anyway... Where was I?

Am now on the hotel's wifi which is intermittently much better than the o2 connection and no good at all. I'll try to catch it on the good bits.

Tuesday morning: another day, another radio interview. BBC Radio Cumbria and Mike Parr on the landline to the B&B before breakfast to see how we've got on. Of course it's only been a one-day walk so far so it's not exactly a true picture - the test, as I said on air (get me!) will be seven days, or two weeks from now. But, so far so good. Unlike the couple we met en route who were already aching and noticeably limping. They expressed surprise that we're not in the same condition. Turns out they live somewhere very flat, not a hill in sight and were inspired to try the walk after seeing Julia on TV. Mmm... We're concerned for their welfare, wondering whether they'll make it beyond today and the steepish climb up Loft Beck, at the end of the valley. But they prove us wrong and turn up for dinner at the Scafell Hotel. Hope they stay the course.

Interesting too, this couple's experience of sleeping in the country... Unnerved by the silence at night, they were intensely irritated by the magnificent chorus of birdsong on waking. Far more comfortable were they with the gentle sounds of their home ground, of aircraft coming into land and taking off over their heads from Standsted airport.

So, interview and breakfast over, we set off up the Ennerdale valley in the company of Rick, Search Dog Alf and Rick's butter-wouldn't-melt terrier who's name I can't remember (apologies to Rick). Another cracking day out. Rick and dogs departed our company around Gillerthwaite and we pressed on up the track to Black Sail for a cup, and an opportunity to rattle the tin. Well they wanted to sit on our bench, and that comes at a price!

Onwards up Loft Beck and over to Honister Slate Mines for ice cream. Then down to Rosthwaite, where we managed to add a half mile onto our day by overshooting the turning to the B&B. Now, about the B&B...

We'd been warned along the way about Rachel, our eccentric, but extremely hospitable host at Gillercombe. Serves breakfast with a parrot on her shoulder they said, sending fellow Twirlie Gail into a flat spin. News of Gail's flat spin clearly went on ahead of us as, by the time we arrive, the bird is tucked up in the garden aviary. Which doesn't stop Rachel luring us into the garden for a photo shoot, doing our best Captain Hook impression. For some reason, parrot was reluctant to climb onto Gail's shoulder. We put it down to the purple hair.

So parrot pix out of the way, we headed to the Scafell Hotel to meet with Roy, Jan, Mark and Fiona from Keswick MRT. More pix with them and a handy team vehicle. Handy because, no sooner have we tucked into steak pudding and chips, than three faces drop in unison as something starts vibrating in their pockets. Yep, such is the life of a mountain rescuer. Half drunk pints of beer, half eaten dinner, abandoned. And in a blur they were off... to Whinlatter and a fallen mountain biker.

Early night for us. And boy, were we ready for it!

Photos, footpaths and flapjack

Finally, an internet connection! Three days worth of walking and stuff and no means of getting it up there in the ether is a tiny bit frustrating... But trying to copy and paste from the Pages log I've been diligently keeping is BLUMMIN ANNOYIN'! Started having problems on Sunday evening whilst attempting to load some stunning shots and it's basically gone down hill since. Think it might be to do with the strength of signal I'm getting. Never again will I complain about the speed of my home wifi!

Anyway, I WILL attempt another pic upload, but in the meantime just want to get something on here. Oh and before I forget... Apologies to anyone trying to track our whereabouts via the Buddy Beacon on the Viewranger site yesterday or, indeed, today up until I remembered I'd turned it off at Ennerdale and hadn't turned it back on!

So... In a nutshell... Arrived Sunday evening at the Fairladies Barn, St Bees, dumped the bags then wandered down to the beach to suss out the distance and time required to get there. In the event, it was academic as the Wasdale vehicle picked us up at the door after breakfast and gave us a lift down. Not cheating, honest, as the C2C technically starts at the beach.

'Drive down onto the sand,' Richard W instructed our driver, Chris. And off we went down the ramp, somewhat hesitantly, to a prime photo op position, the headlands and C2C start looking stunning in the background against the clear blue sky. Photos duly posed and snapped, including the traditional pebble, and then it was a live chat to BBC Radio Cumbria, during which I realised with horror that the sea had fast approached, turning my small spot of sand into an island, surrounded by a fast-widening moat! Time to go!

Great day's walk, during which we were joined by Michelle and James Martin, who we first met two years ago at the Lakes event with Prince William, when James was marching his way along the C2C with his Mum in aid of Buxton MRT, at the tender age of 11. Good to walk a way with them.

Cockermouth team members walked along the route from Ennerdale Bridge to meet us - the forward party being Laura with Search Dog Jake. Does that count as a find? Several photos taken - now on the Lake District SAMRA website - then onwards to the Fox & Hounds and a well-earned drink. Not before Laura magicked up a tray of freshly baked flapjack, still warm. Yum. We were hoping she might turn up at each stop with fresh supplies... Or at least forward the recipe to each team...

Right, am now going to post this bit, or at least that's the plan. The iPad, of course, might have other ideas... More later.