Jen - A Typical Day On The Coast To Coast Walk

Usually sometime around 4am I wake up. It's a mystery as to why, you would think that after trudging for anywhere from 8-11 hours over hill, dale, beck and moor one would be dead to the world until the alarm wakes you with a start. 

So you lie there for what seems like hours when in fact it's probably more like 8 minutes then drift back into dreamland.  Sometime between 5am and 7am the eerie glow of Linda's computer filters thru my eyelids. I immediately grab my earplugs and eye mask, roll over and pray I get back to sleep. She's at the blog and I am certainly not ready to get up! 

Depending upon where we are headed our day starts anytime between 7- 8:30am. Breakfasts have been terrific, there is always lots of choice and plenty of food accompanied by hot tea or coffee! Prior to heading for breakfast we must pack our lunch, rearrange our day packs and once again cram everything back in the suitcase, which seems to get heavier every day, then drag it down to be picked up by Pack Horse( love them). Oh yes, also change the batteries in the GPS and make sure the new maps are ready to go in the water proof case. 

Pack ready to go!

And we are off......sometimes it takes us couple of minutes to get our bearings and sort out which way we are headed. The first hour is always interesting and usually up hill. Our legs can be compared to concrete telephone poles complete with calf muscles that feel as though someone has trapped them in a vice!  

I think I'm stuck

After 3-5 hours of walking it's time for a bite. Time to look for something to sit on, or at least a flat spot to throw your pack which can also double as a seat. An orange, a few pieces of salami, some cheese, chocolate and a sip of hot tea. ( recently discovered the water bottle Siobhan (work mate) gave me a few years back is a fab thermos and will keep tea hot for hours) and that's lunch. It usually lasts 15-20 minutes, changing of the socks and we are off again!

Ok, so lunch is over, a quick peruse of the map and we are off. I could wax poetic about the unbelievably stunning scenery and the stimulating conversation but that wouldn't be fair. I think it's up to you the reader of this blog to someday follow in our footsteps and see for yourself. 

It's now anywhere from 7-11 hours since our morning start. Where do I start-  hungry, probably a little cold, most likely past cocktail hour so looking for a drink. Oh, did I mention the feet. Sore, uncomfortable,aching, tired, squashed, hot or cold ,soggy ( mine),worn out, blistered, pins and needles, and crying to be released from the captivity of those *^%?<~    @&<%*#{ boots. Oh the relief! 

Yes, I'd like a taxi please.

So now we are in the hands of our B&B hosts. Actually it's usually the hostess, on rare occasions the host will be seen. The owners have all been very pleasant, helpful and concerned about our well being. I am sure they have seen it all. 

So it's up to our room to settle in and clean up before the long awaited (drink) oops I mean hot meal. So once in the room it's time to clean out the day pack which you meticulously packed this morning that now resembles a bag of dirty laundry haphazardly shoved into a bag that is far too small.

Then shower or bath! No need to comment on this......it's indescribable how good even a trickle of water in a closet sized shower can feel!

Gorgeous Bathtub Old Croft House

Now it's time for a bite to eat. Sometimes at the B&B, sometimes a pub or restaurant. Then back to the room to organize the maps and food for the next day. Perhaps a glass or two of wine strictly for medicinal purposes. Nine thirty or ten and its lights out with the ever optimistic hope of sleeping through the night! The routine continues with new and fantastic sights, sounds and conversations! Each day a wonderful and exciting adventure!