3 3/4 miles later. the footpath signs told us to leave the coast and start heading east. Psychologically this felt better, as walking north for well over an hour, pleasant though it was, wasn't exactly taking us any further towards our easterly goal.
Shortly after midday, the rain started and it continued, more on than off, for the rest of the day. Sadly this meant there weren't too many photos. We ate lunch in a bus shelter then, after Cleator Moor, at 8.5 miles, we entered the Lakes proper. I began to feel really alive and, being a Lakeland sheep I was completely at home. I raced up Dent Fell, our first summit, and was surprised to see George, Yorkie and Gio quite a long way behind - they seemed to think the climb was hard work and they didn't seem too keen on the rain - it didn't bother me though, but my wool does contain lots of lanolin.
It was a scenic walk to our first night's accommodation at Ennerdale Bridge, although very wet under hoof and it didn't take us long to realise that Wainwright miles are surprisingly long.
Good accommodation at the of a day's walk soon revives you, and the Shepherds Arms Hotel met all our needs in full, especially when we found out they had fine Herdy mugs to drink our tea from, and also that we could take beer up to our room.
We were raring to go the next morning to spend our first full day in the Lakes. However, you can't hurry a full cooked breakfast so we decided to spend some time in the hotel anticipating the day ahead.
As we set out for Ennerdale Water we were pleased to see some good way marking with special AW (Alfred Wainright) logos. We wondered whether the weather would stay fine enough for a swim (well George and Yorkie wondered, as sheep aren't keen swimmers).
More about our crossing of the Lake District next time.
Lots of love Wooly, Gio, George and Yorkie xxx
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