Day one
St bees to Ennerdale bridge
13.8 miles
6h20

Day one started early with the train from Coventry at 0630. McDonalds breakfast and 6 hours later I was on the beach at st bees head. Beautiful weather and the first order of business was to dip the feet and pick the stone I was going to carry to robin hoods bay.

That done, after a bit too much scouting around for the smallest and lightest stone, I headed up the coastal path. Fantastic weather and only the possibility of cow rampage in some of the fields could ruin my day.

As I started so late it was quick march to make sure I got to Ennerdale before dusk, so no cream teas and lazy rest stops for me, with the exception of my lovely bus shelter stop for a quick scotch egg and lucozade.

Only one climb today, but it was made interesting by the meeting of Alan and his dog jake. Alan was a Proper old man of the mountain, who had already walked 8 miles that day as his after lunch stroll, decided to walk with me the rest of the way. Great to walk with, though he must have told me about 15 times the best place to eat was the pub in Ennerdale and I suspect he might have been on commission. He got me up the top in double time though, as he moved bloody quickly and nimbly as I laboured behind trying to pretend I wasn't out of breath.

I said goodbye to Alan, who I imagined to go back to his home among the trees where he lived with the wild animals of the forest, and headed off. The last leg to the campsite stretched on a bit as the feet started to complain and I was really starting to notice how heavy the rucksack was. Another 11 days seemed like a long time.

I arrived at the campsite and pitched my little tent in glorious sunshine, followed by a very poorly done session of yoga before food at the best pub in the lakes apparently.