Coast2coast Walk

[Mark Roberts]

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Hi all,

as you know The Northwest lure coursing club have held several events to help some lads raise a few quid for a very good cause (Macmillan cancer research)

the lads started their walk in St Bee's on Friday and have been walking through terrible conditions (weather wise)

below is a piece taken for the Coast2Coast web site i'll update with info as and when they update their site.

The day started with breakfast at St Bees, where we all touched the water and picked up a pebble to carry with us before setting off with reasonable revelry. By lunchtime we’d reached Cleator where refreshments were taken at The Three Tuns. After lunch we carried on, through Denfell, and put our waterproofs to the test in driving rain and heavy mist - not all stood up to the weather.

We followed the valley down into Ennerdale Bridge, past Ennerdale Water and Lower Gillisthwaite and on to Ennerdale Youth Hostel.

On arrival, one of our member's missed the building and the largest YHA sign in the area and ended up doing half of tomorrow’s walk before returning back. Ralphi, we salute you.

Had a lovely meal at the Youth Hostel and everyone was very friendly and helpful. Big thanks to everyone at Ennerdale YHA for their hospitality. Now it’s time to nurse our battered bodies for tomorrow’s walk. We are on our way and it’s been a good start.

 

[posh totty]

thanks for updating mark , such a worthy cause, good luck to them :thumbsup:

 

[heather]

good luck everyone :thumbsup:

hope the weather improves for you

 

[haycroft]

Good luck to you all...my dad died 11years ago at the age of 58 with cancer and the macmillan nurses were fantastic....such a worthy course for this ugly disease

Good on you for doing this :thumbsup: :luck:

 

[Mark Roberts]

[SIZE=14pt]UPDATE[/SIZE]

the lads are still walking, the weather been terrible for them, below is a piece from their blog.

Day Two

We started off early in order to be able to watch Manchester United live, but arrived late, and in the end, even missed Match of the Day.

 

We broke into two groups, one on the hard route and one on the low route. The low route went through Black Sail Hut in Ennerdale and over to Honister Pass, then down through Seatoller and on to Longthwaite and Borrowdale Youth Hostel. The more insane members of the group took the high route by Red Pike across to High Stiles and through the valley to Haystacks. Down three circuits of the summit then back finding a tarn and disused slate mine and followed the tram line to Honister Pass. Due to our late arrival, panic had struck and Arron once again got the blame. No harm done and Peter managed to enjoy his bottle of fine Rioja at the top of Haystacks. The weather was diabolical with visibility down to 5ft, together with high winds and driving rain.

 

Day Three

The group set off early from the youth hostel and headed through the valley to Borrowdale up to Cat Crag over to Greenburn and Grasmere Common. Skimming Grasmere to have lunch at the Traveller’s Rest e continued up Tong Gill to Grisedale Tarm. There, we saw “Brothers Parting” where Wordsworth said a final goodbye to his brother. From there we went down through Grisedale Valley and into Patterdale, arriving later after a long hard day. The rain and fog were awful in the morning but cleared up in the afternoon although cloud cover meant we were unable to see the views of Helvellyn or Striding Edge. The climb seemed to be getting harder but the views, when available, were breathtaking, although the aches and pains were bordering on unbearable. Our thanks to everyone at Patterdale Youth Hostel for staying late to make sure we were fed. We have been overwhelmed by the support we have been receiving from people on the walk; not just donations, but also the pats on the back and the encouraging words.

 

Day 4

We left Patterdale early and walked past Dove Cottage where Wordswoth once lived. After a long pull we upwards we got over Angle Tarn Crag and to see the beautiful Angle Tarn which was a great relief to all. Luckily the sun came out and shone down upon us, allowing one member of the group to take a dip in the freezing water – Stick to the pool at Billingham Peter, it’s safer! We then set off from Kidsty Point and went down to Hawes Water. Leaving the Fells with a sad heart we moved onto the Dales with glee as we no longer had to climb so far. A night at the Greyhound Tavern in Shap where once again, we must thank our hosts for their exceptional hospitality, especially Derek Newsome’s very generous donation of money and the free lunches. This had been another long and extremely hard day for all the walkers and their athletic status of some is being called into question, not least our young Australian who is now walking like Douglas Bader, whilst young Giovanni’s feet have also taken a severe bashing and he has lost yet another toenail - They breed them strange in Wingate!

 

[jinx and rubys mum]

Well done lads keep going :cheers:

 

[Mark Roberts]

UPDATE FROM THE LADS BLOGG

Battling On ......

 

Day Five

We set off late after almost having to cancel the day’s walk due to the size of the cooked breakfast and Ralph’s visit to the doctor. Luckily he was fine and didn’t need to stop walking. We set off over the M6, past the quarries and across Hazel Moor, Robin Hood Grave and then into Orton for a drink and a snack at George’s Hotel. Out of Orton through Raze Beck across Grine’s Moor and round Sun Biggin Tarn. The changing geology making the route completely different to that encountered in the Lakes. We continued past Brown Bar, Bent, Friars Bottom and into Smardale Bridge. From there we went past Giant’s Grave, the lime kilns and various settlements and earthworks coming down Smardale into Kirkby Steven.

 

At Kirkby Steven we discovered what can happen to a youth hostel which has been sold. A lovely Victorian Methodist church had been converted into a youth hostel in 1981, but then sold at auction in 2006. It had clearly declined and we arrived to discover Denise tidying up after industrial cleaners had done their best. She had bought it only four days earlier and was busily preparing for our arrival. Denise is determined to bring the hostel back to a high standard and we are certain she will succeed. We then went off to the Black Bull to watch Man U destroy some lesser known Spanish team. The Mancunians among us were happy to say the least. Finally, we would like to thank everyone for leaving their messages of support.

 

The blisters are building up and the pain keeps getting worse but Sam is keeping spirits high by using his skills as an actor to do “emotion”. His speciality is conviction.

 

Day Six

The day again started off with a trip to the doctor for John Crammen as his feet were covered in blisters. The news wasn’t too good as he has cellulitis and advised not to walk but, armed with his antibiotics, he decided to carry on walking anyway. We left Kirkby Stephen over the River Eden and then over the tops of the moors by Nine Standard Brig. Due to erosion and weather there are various routes available and this meant we were mainly on tarmac roads. This added to the wear and tear of all the walkers as unforgiving tarmac brought out further aches, pain and blisters.

 

As we descended into Keld, Steve’s internal measuring device played havoc as he declared we had only two miles to go at the five mile, four mile and three mile marks and then told us we had three miles to go when only two miles out. We arrived in Keld to good weather, at last.

 

In Keld, Beverley and Ted had bought a youth hostel in 2006. Now known as Keld Lodge it has very well apportioned rooms, a fine restaurant, cask ales, a comfy drawing room with an open fire. It has been a pleasure to stay and a real contrast to the previous night. Ted’s new mission is to start up his own micro brewery.

 

Our weary footsore band of walkers comprises two camps – those that snore and those that do not. Needless to say the snorers deny having done so, despite the testimony of their dormitory chums. Consequently, there has been some strategic bed grabbing in hotels by the aurally sensitive.

 

[Pennymeadow Whippets]

Well done to all concerned you are doing a great job :cheers: