Day one

We started our walk at St Bees and eight and a half hours later we arrived at Ennerdale Bridge wet, tired and asking our inn keeper where we could catch the nearest bus. To say that today was hard would be a gross understatement but the lovely lady we are staying with assures us that we will be fine by morning! We started our day walking up and along the cliffs that looked out over the Irish Sea. The scenery was breath taking and even though the terrain took us up some major hills that walking was not horrible. The next third of the day was spent wandering through fields of sheep. I think we must have seen a thousand sheep. Imagine how much sheep poop we saw! These paths were very poorly marked and if it had not been for the nice young German couple we met we might still be out there lost forever! We made it to the Pop in Cafe for lunch about two. It was a very interesting place, the lady cooks in her house and you have to sit outside on picnic tables with little roofs. She talked to us the whole time we ate but we did not understand a word she said. After lunch the day went all downhill. It rained and the fog on the dent meant we had to walk seven miles on a narrow road with no shoulders. The British are maniac drivers who of course drive on the wrong side of the road. We could not figure out which lane was safer to walk in. We finally made it to the Stork Hotel and the nicest inn keepers in the world, Joan and Paul. When we arrived Joan handed us an envelop that was a lovely note from my daughter Mary Beth congratulating us on finishing day one.  She also gave us two bottles of wine. We were so overcome we both started to cry! After a warm shower and a good meal we are feeling a little better about tomorrow. Our new best friend Paul has shown Sue some shortcuts and has assured us that tomorrow's walk is flat and better marked. Joan and Paul are angels who have come into our lives at just the right time. Our course the weather report for tomorrow calls for rain but we are well prepared and praying for an easier walk.