The first night testing our new kit went well, the sleeping bags were warm, the sleep mats comfortable and, luckily, the tent waterproof. We were awoken by showers during the night, despite the good forecast, but luckily the day started dry and cool, perfect walking conditions. We also found we had some new neighbours in form of a group of sheep.

We had a brief wash in the river, cooked up some porridge for breakfast and packed up the kit for day 2.

The walk headed straight to Ennerdale Water and around it's southern perimeter, the view was misty but what we could see was lovely. The lake lapping against the shore, the high crags and the thick forests. We refilled a water bottle from a lakeside spring and rested to take on a fruit bar before heading into Ennerdale Forest itself.

The walk through the forest seemed to last forever, it was a long forestry track that went onwards and upwards for hours through the valley. Our views of Ling Mell, Great Gable, Pillar and Haystacks obscured by the mist.

As we approached Black Sail YHA, we caught up with other coast to coast couples we had met the previous day. We had a chat and put on an extra layer before heading upwards into the cloud. After a few wrong turns we rejoined the group and stuck together for the climb out of the valley and the walk down from the fell to Honister Pass and the Honister Slate Mine cafe where a much needed lunch was sourced.

The rain started while we were having lunch and continued as we descended to Seatoller and out destination of Rosthwaite. We managed to make it to a farm shop as it was closing to stock up on lunch for the following day (a cheese sandwich with home made chutney for Ruth, a Herdwick lamb pasty for me, more on which later...)

On route to the campsite we discovered the Scafell Hotel and Riverside Bar which we were delighted to note was in the Good Beer Guide.

As we arrived at the campsite the rain stopped and we erected our home for the night before returning to the pub for dinner and a couple of pints of Thirst Blossom and Skiddaw Bitter.

Mum (Rosemary) Oooh?!! What about the pasty? What's the story? I take it Ruth's cheese sandwich was a safe bet?

Apr 26, 2011

Mom (Sue) Another very interesting blog. I too am curious about the pasty cannot wait to hear the story.

Apr 26, 2011