SHAP HAPPENS! And it was quite a surprise for both us! Obviously we need a geography lesson - both not considering the highest climb of the run would come before Kendal (where we lie exhausted tonight). Still we made it and have the pic to prove it. For those still debating Land's End to John O'Groats or vice versa I think this little hill should be taken into consideration (discuss). We were very lucky with the weather today. It was cold and a little windy but rain was forecast for our final leg of the day which included the Big Un. The rain fell on our second break whilst we refuelled in the van - and as we walked up Shap the sun even came out. I must quickly add that it didn't make it any warmer - JT got brain freeze nearing the summit (1400ft) and had to hold onto his nose to prevent frostbite setting in. Being a few strides ahead I hadn't realised and was enjoying what I thought was a rousing rendition of St Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band engineered to keep our spirits up. He agreed to let his defences down for just enough time to take a photo of us at the top by the memorial stone then whizzed off down the hill leaving me in his wake.
We met lots of end to end cyclists today and also had the pleasure of a brief chat with a chap walking the opposite way to us - Chris Hatton. He has lived in Porthcurnow for two years and his wife said when they moved in - one day you'll walk Lands End to John O'Groats. When he finally announced he was going to do it, she said - 'about bloody time!'
So where are we? Stats time.... 420 miles down. Tomorrow as we pass through Kendal, the end of our first section - we are Half Way - I think we can allow ourselves a small woohoo.
Hoping for kind weather tomorrow but rain forecast.