Coast to Coast with 4 fearless Petersfield Ramblers
Day 1: 21 June 2021
Tea before departure
The intrepid walkers setting off on the first part of the C2C path are Jenny, Val, Christine and Lynne, ably supported by Alan, Bob and Rob without whom the expedition would flounder.
The walk started with a stop to collect sandwiches and talk to a group who were aiming to walk all the way to Ennerdale Bridge today, a total of around 18 miles. Then a detour to dip our toes into the sea, choose a pebble to carry across to the East coast and have a chat with three brave ladies preparing to go for a swim. Then off up the coastal path, enjoying the good weather and the sea views. A further dalliance viewing of baby seagulls and guillemots enhanced greatly by sightings of a school of porpoise swimming along below the cliffs.
The walk wended its way past a lighthouse and a quarry that produces stone to repair cathedrals and provide local stone. Then it was inland across fields full of sheep, verges full of flowers and the sun shining on us. A wonderful cycle track built along a disused railway was spotted forming part of the C2C cycle path. A few more fields, tracks, roads and we were in Cleator ready to finish for the day.
Well, not quite the end of the day. A car ride to a local hotel/restaurant provided a welcome cup of tea and piece of cake.
Now we are all prepared for tomorrow.
Day 2: 22 June 2021
Today started back in Cleator heading for Ennerdale Water. After a gentle start yesterday, our route now took us straight up to Dent at 352 metres high. It was a steep but steady climb up to the main cairn which then afforded us fantastic views for 360 degrees.
A quick stop for refreshments then saw us losing the height we had worked so hard to gain. Then came the most stunning part of our day’s walk along a valley below Flat Fell. The hedgerows were abundant, the sheep wary and the views stunning as we followed a small beck towards Ennerdale Bridge. Seeing the route on the map did not give us any indication of how beautiful the valley would be. Well worth a visit and a trek along.
We then walked down Ennerdale Bridge, resisting the temptation to stop for a cup of tea and ice cream, and made our way down towards the waters. Making our way along roads and paths we came to the edge of the lake which afforded us sweeping views of the mountains and fells of the Lake District. The blue water looked very inviting but we continued on for the last couple of miles to reach our destination of Bowness Car Park. This is a slight deviation from the official C2C route but suited our purpose for getting our lifts back to base.
A refreshing cup of tea in a local cafe rejuvenated us all before driving back to our hotel to prepare for the first big trek tomorrow.
Lynne