8: What the hell was I thinking

Misty when we got up this morning, and a crap weather forecast, so we all donned the full wet weather gear – perhaps this is a good time to elaborate on clothing – so from the top down:

• Hand knitted head band (I like this better than a beanie as it’s not quite as hot and easy to pull down as a scarf when your head gets hot)
• Two layers of fine merino wool tops
• Long gym leggings
• thick socks
• boots
• goretex jacket
• waterproof overpants (not goretex – we got the cheaper versions)
• homemade goretex gaiters over the pants and the tops of the boots to keep the water out

Yes, getting dressed is not quick!

So off we set about 9.30 (getting 6 people organized is not easy), and a nice walk through some back lanes till we hit Ennerdale Waters – a huge lake leading up into the hills – because there has been so much rain lately, all of the creeks feeding the lake are rushing with water and the lake was lapping at the banks – we chose the higher northern bank, a bit further but drier. A lovely walk! 

Had morning tea at the Ennerdale Youth Hostel, then walked on through a forest track to the Black Sail Youth Hostel – raining on and off during the morning but not too bad till we stopped for lunch – then it was cold, wet and windy.  Broke out the brand new 'sit-mat' thinking this would be a great time to try it out, but decided very quickly that huddling in the shelter of the hut was a better idea as the rain really started to belt down.  Not so pleasant lunch stop saved by my Coronation Chicken sandwich from the pub we stayed at last night - it was very good!  Oh - wish I knew beforehand that you couldn't use the loo at the Black Sail YH - I might have gone somewhere earlier with more cover...

After lunch it all got nasty – a very steep long climb over really wet rocky ground – water rushing down everywhere – the nastiness of the climb moderated slightly (for me – others loved this climb!!) by the amazing views.   Tried singing to occupy myself but couldn’t remember any of the words, so resorted to muttering every swear word I could think of – at this point I am not having fun!!  Also, finding Coronation Chicken hard to digest while climbing and swearing - possibly not such a wise choice!

Finally reached the top, then we had a bit of flat marshy country, then a long downhill overlooking a slate mine on a slate path – as usual wet, steep and slippery – still wasn’t having fun - but the scenery is absolutely amazing, and possibly more dramatic in such extreme weather.

At the bottom you could do a tour of the slate mine, have tea etc, but we headed on – another hour and a half to go and already almost 5pm.   Joe and I decided to take the road option instead of the path – the road is shorter but really steep (25 degree angle) and by this time, my feet are burning – no blisters but really tired and sore.  We arrived at the B&B Knotts View  about 6, and the others struggled in about 6.45 – I had certainly had a ‘loss of morale’ moment with a few tears of exhaustion, and it sounds like so did Phoebe who arrived with a big blister on the ball of her foot.  Mandy also has new blisters! 

A quick shower then over the road to the pub for a fantastic dinner- back in bed by 9pm - this is exhausting business (see tired and emotional photo below for proof!)

Day 2 is done – only 15 more to go – goodnight!

PS: can someone at AITD pass the blog link to Kevin Lohan – he was part of my inspiration for this walk.