We just walked a MARATHON

Keswick – Latrigg. Latrigg – Skiddaw House. Skiddaw House – Great Lingy Hut. Great Lingy Hut – High Pike. High Pike – Wood Hall. Wood Hall – Hesket Newmarket. Hesket Newmarket – Sebergham. Sebergham – Rose Bridge. Rose Bridge – Dalston. 26 miles in 12 hours.

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We’ve been building up to this long walk for weeks and now we’ve done it. An early morning start was a good idea because we saw two young deer on our way down to Keswick, as well as scores of rabbits. As we drove over the fell road round Caldbeck we had to slow down and go round a new calf feeding from its mother in the middle of the road. A lovely start to the day.

Keswick to Latrigg was a steep climb and we’d barely had time to warm up before we the ascent began, but we quickly gained height and beautiful views out over the peaceful waters of Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater. Once at the top we skirted round Lonscale Fell, heading towards Skiddaw House where we had a good rest and feed.

From Skiddaw House it was a pleasant 3.5 mile trek over moorland and peat bogs to a tarmac road before the arduous pull up to Great Lingy Hut. The path was hard to follow and although we didn’t lose our way there were times when we weren’t sure we were going the right way. Lee had enough energy to go on ahead and check that we were going the right way. Eventually we saw Great Lingy Hut, which looked like a glorified garden shed from the outside. Inside it was very cool with a wooden sleeping platform and a visitor’s book. We were feeling quite chuffed by now, at having done most of our climbing, when we saw a retired teacher from Caldew who put us firmly in our places by telling us he once ran the whole of the Cumbria Way in just two and a half days. We covered the 26 miles to Dalston in 12 hours; he did the 31 miles to Carlisle in about 4 hours!

High Pike was not far from Great Lingy Hut and we reached the top easily. Then we got lost. Not badly but we ended up going back to the Cumbria Way in Hesket Newmarket instead of Caldbeck. It gave us an excuse to get some much needed liquid refreshment at The Old Crown. From Hesket we covered the remaining 10 miles back to Dalston with increasingly sore feet and a bit of help from Abba, Michael Hutchens and Scissor Sisters. Now, where did I leave that foot spa?

Caldbeck to Dalston, 10 miles

We have had such a good walk tonight that I have to sit down now and write about it. A glorious May evening, blustery but sunny and it stayed dry. Thank you so much to Steve for driving us to Caldbeck and dropping us off and all your encouragement. And to Martin for popping up from behind the car seat and surprising us all!

We set off at 5.15 from Caldbeck and quickly got covered in mud almost as soon as we left the road and followed signs for the Cumbria Way. But within what seemed like no time (okay it was 90 minutes) we were at Sebergham Bridge, just about the halfway point. After Sebergham Bridge we passed the squat tower at Sebergham Church and then hit a long stretch of the Caldew and walked along its western bank for about 3 or 4 miles to Lime House School. We spotted 2 red squirrels, a heron, dozens of frisky young cattle, frolicking lambs and countless bluebells and primroses. And the time flew by. We were at the Bridge End by 9 pm and sitting in the Blue Bell by 9.30, having a well earned refreshment break!

We have improved in our fitness and I don't think we could have done this walk so comfortably 3 weeks ago. We are pushing ourselves on every time we gou out and really gelling as a team. Fantastic work, guys and see you at Brisco Car Boot Sale on Sunday morning. And thank you to everyone who has sponsored us and to Judith for all the car boot donations.