A Sense of Deja Vu?

We like to keep our readers entertained, so today we've got a little competition for you (the prize is a pint of Wherry to anyone who comes to visit us with the right answers).

We'd like you to spot the difference between the following 2 pictures ...


and ...


... although now we look at them they're quite as similar as they are supposed to be!We thought we were staging the same shot, but the memory fades over 9 months.

Hopefully all our readers are regular readers, which means you should have seen the first picture before, and 9 months gives you a bit of a clue.

Yes, Woolly, Yorkie and myself were at this lovely Tarn Hows viewpoint last year, when we passed through on the Cumbria Way. We told you how Woolly thought Tarn Hows grass the finest tasting in the Lake District. We therefore couldn't have a trip to the Southern Lakes without a Tarn Hows visit to allow Woolly to eat his fill of his favourite grass. The fact that Patrick had never been there before provided an excellent excuse for the visit and a repeat photo opportunity, not that we needed an excuse, as it is a very fine walk there and back from Torver.

Lots of love, Woolly, George, Yorkie & Patrick xxx

Fond Farewells

Our arrival in Carlisle might have signified the end of our walk but it wasn't quite the end of our holiday.

We all piled into a taxi and returned to our favourite B & B in Keswick where we had left our cars and already spent 2 nights. This was Seven Oaks B & B which we would happily recommend to anyone.

We had a great night out on the town celebrating the completion of the Cumbria Way and the fact that we were all glowing with good health having spent so long walking in the fresh air.


The next morning there was time to linger over our last cooked breakfast, and Linda at Seven Oaks does cook a particularly fine one. Then it was time to perform an important and enjoyable mission. This was a shopping trip. We all love outdoor shops and think Keswick has the finest selection of outdoor shops anywhere in the U.K.

After replenishing our supplies, it was time for me (George), Yorkie & Wooly to say goodbye to Isaiah and Dale, as they were staying on in Keswick until the next day, but we had to return back to Norfolk that afternoon.

Not only did we have to say fond farewells to our Suffolk branch brothers, we also had to say goodbye to a new friend.


This was Bruno, the Derwent Bay Bear who lives outside Seven Oaks. He has become such a good friend that we will be keeping in touch, and we definitely hope to stay at Seven Oaks again and spend more time with him.

Then it was into the bear mobile for the long drive home. We hope you've enjoyed reading about our Cumbria Way walk. Sadly there aren't any more holidays in the pipeline but there will lots of home news to share with you, so keep reading.

Lots of love George, Yorkie, Wooly, Isaiah & Dale xxx

Wooly makes History

We were a bit depressed when we woke up on day 5 of our walk as we woke up to rain. It wasn't heavy, but it looked as if it might persist.

However, 2 things happened to lighten the mood. A flock of sheep came strolling down the road completely unattended. We think they had heard that Wooly was in town and were looking for him. They'd got the address wrong though, and before they'd spotted Wooly through the window, they'd gone up next door's drive and started tucking into the garden flowers. Needless to say the owners weren't too happy, but it did give all of us a really good laugh.


After the sheep came the ducks who arrived during our breakfast. As the gates were shut (presumably as a precaution against marauding sheep) the ducks either limbo danced under, or flew over the gates, then made themselves completely at home in the garden. It all made for a very entertaining start to the day.

As the final day's walk got underway, the rain continued and the going for the first few miles was extremely muddy. It was so hard trying to stay upright that we gave up and decided our time could be more usefully spent road testing the waterproof bear porter which had been acquired earlier in the week.

This did the trick, and no sooner had we taken cover, than the rain stopped. We didn't realise for a while as we were all talking so loud, but then Isaiah asked us to be quiet and listen, and we realised we couldn't hear raindrops. He volunteered to pop his head out to see what was happening, then gave us the go ahead to emerge.


It stayed dry for the rest of the day. By now we had left the Lake District behind so the walking wasn't too exciting, but there were compensations e.g. a conveniently placed hostelry for a pub lunch.

The last mile or so were into the heart of Carlisle, and we felt a bit out of place with with our rucksacks and muddy walking boots. The end of the Cumbria Way is a bit strange as there's no clear end point. Some people say it ends at the station, but we walked on past the station to the town square. There we found a market cross and the former town hall, now a tourist informartion office. At neither was there an acknowledgment that the end of the Cumbria Way had been reached. This is a bit of a shame after all the effort that goes into the walk.


We treated the Tourist office as the end point, and did a celebratory conga round the building. Wooly is looking very proud in his 'I've made it picture' and rightly so, as he had just gone into the record books as the first sheep to walk the whole of the Cumbria Way in one go. Well done Wooly, and well done all of us for that matter. To walk the Cumbria Way in 5 days is no mean feet, but there are few challenges we have enjoyed as much.

Lots of love, George, Isaiah, Yorkie, Dale & Wooly xxx

What's in Your Lunchbox Cumbrian Style

The right diet is very important when you're tackling a long distance footpath. It was especially important on the Cumbria Way as we had some long walking days and needed a slow release of energy for up to 9 hours at a time.

Every morning we made sure we took full advantage of the cooked breakfasts that were on offer (this was not difficult!) These kept us going until lunchtime, but then we needed to refuel.


Our most satisfying lunch stop was after leaving Keswick, when we were en route for Caldbeck. Before leaving Keswick we'd popped into town and called in to the Keswick Pasty shop. This shops sells an amazing selection of traditional and more exotic pasties and, despite having only just finished a fine cooked breakfast, our mouths watered as we read down the list of delicious fillings. It was very hard deciding what we all wanted to try, but in the end we settled for a selection, so we could have a taste of each at lunchtime. In our photo you see us settling down on a comfortable cushion of heather to enjoy spicy vegetable, beef & stilton, and cheese, broccoli and sweetcorn pasties. Note that the smaller the bear, the more eager they are to get at the food. Just look at Yorkie & Dale!

Serious walking also merits a substantial pudding. Here you see us enjoying our favourite one of the walk. This was the tiffin we bought in Coniston (theory about the smaller bears definitely now proven!)


It tasted good and what a spiffing name we thought.

We'll be back with news of the final day's walking soon. Sorry to leave you in suspense!

Lots of love, walking bears with a hearty appetite xxx

Suffering from an Attack of Wind!

It's amazing what a Chinese meal, some fine ale in the Keswick Dog & Gun and a good night's sleep can do. We set out the next day, not quite with a spring in our step, but with renewed enthusiasm for stage 4 of our walk which was to take us from Keswick over to Caldbeck.

The first few miles were pleasant walking on a gently undulating path above the Glenderaterra Beck with craggy fells rising above us. Wooly told us this was excellent sheep grazing territory and proved that sheep had been in these parts for more years than anyone could possibly remember by pointing out to us some old stone sheepfolds.


The one on which he was standing was very large. We all admired the craftsmanship of the construction and the perfect round shape. As the wind was beginning to get up we could also appreciate the shelter that such sheepfolds could provide.

After lunch the good path disappeared as we climbed up to an old shooting hut, Lingy hut, which we could see on the skyline as we set off, but disappeared out of sight just when we needed it for navigation. Our guide book said the climb up Gainsgill beck is a lovely climb even though the path is indistinct and boggy in places. We have to disagree, it was boggy and indistinct all the way and it certainly wasn't lovely!

After Lingy hut we climbed to the top of High Pike. By now the wind had got so strong we couldn't stay upright and had to rope and carabiner ourselves to our minders who had a bit more bulk to keep them on the ground.

Unfortunately our picture of us at the top of high Pike is a little bear (sorry bare) as we couldn't stay on top of the trig point long enough for a picture to be taken.


Unfortunately the buffeting winds meant we couldn't get a good look at the map and we went a bit astray on the descent. Fortunately our GPS's put us right but we had to walk an extra mile or so to get back on course for Caldbeck which we weren't too chuffed about. We must find out who is responsible for waymarking the Cumbria Way, and write to them, as there was a distinct lack of waymarks when they were desperately needed. When the path was obvious there were plenty about. It definitely seemed that they only appeared in places easily accessible by car!

Anyway, rant of the day now over, we reached Caldbeck without any further problems and enjoyed a very pleasant evening in the Oddfellows Arms. We thoroughly recommed its food and excellent Jennings beer.

Lots of love Wooly, Yorkie, Dale, George & Isaiah xxx

The Fittest Survive (that's all of us!)

As we told you yesterday, we were able to bound down the descent into the Langstrath Valley a lot faster than our minders. We therefore had plenty of time to stand beside some of those rain swollen becks, becoming mesmerised by the power of all that water. This was nature at its most awesome and some of these spontaneous waterfalls seemed a lot more impressive than some of the waterfalls that have become tourist sites e.g. Colwith force that we'd seen on the previous day.


The downside of the rain swollen streams and all that white water, was that on the occasions when we needed to cross them, what might normally be a simple crossing, became very tricky and several times we had to spend several minutes looking for a safe place to cross.

At the bottom of the descent, we were pleased to find that there was a substantial bridge across a real torrent of foaming water. While we waited for our minders to join us, we took advantage of the bridge to enjoy the world's fastest game of pooh sticks.


Wooly was acting as our line judge, but even with his sharp eyes, that water was moving just too fast for him to be able to tell whose pooh stick was through first.

It was a beautiful walk out to the head of Borrowdale, and when we reached Rosthwaite, a mile further on, shortly before 4.00 p.m. we thought we must be close to journey's end (for that day). We gave a collective gulp when the holder of the map and guide told us we had only covered half that day's distance and we still had 8 miles to go! We therefore took on energy boosting refreshment of sugary drinks and chocolate bars.

Fortunately the remaining miles were rather easier walking, much of it being along the shore of Derwentwater. The miles seemed long, but the going was faster. In the Manesty woods we found a lovely sculpture of a pair of hands.


It provided a very comfortable place for a few minutes rest before the final push into Keswick. We all had very sore paws/hooves as we hobbled into Keswick after a very long day. But what a walk we'd had: there's a lot of truth in that saying 'no pain. no gain' and when you've got a very comfortable B & B awaiting you, and a comfortable pair of Crocs to slip in to, the pain is soon forgotten.

Lots of love George, Yorkie, Isaiah, Dale & Wooly xxx

Day 3 is not a Doddle

It had rained all night, and was still raining when we set out for stage 3 of our epic walk. We weren't as depressed as we might have been, as we had all enjoyed fantastic breakfasts: ours at Millbeck farm was the biggest one of the trip and we were able to put together our own breakfast, choosing our favouritist ingredients, which were then cooked for us. We thought it was great.

Although it was heavy drizzle rather than rain, the fact that it had rained throughout the night and all the previous evening, meant the becks, rushing down from the hillside, were really swollen and there was water eveywhere. It was a good job we had waterproof boots, as the Cumbria Way had become a stream and we couldn't help but splash our way along the path.

Within a short while the path seemed to become a dead end with no way out - except up! We were surrounded by proper Lake District hills, so high we had to crane our necks to see to the top.


We had 2 choices, Esk Hause or Stake Pass. Fortunately there was a conveniently placed Cumbria Way sign, which not only provided a nice backrest for a rest, but also told us that Stake Pass was the way for us. This seemed to be the steeper of the 2 routes, but at least the rain had stopped and the sun was trying to emerge as we started to climb.

It was all uphill for about 45 minutes, and there wasn't a lot of conversation as we were directing all our energy to our legs. As always happens on these walks, no sooner do you get the top then it's time to come down. We were glad we were walking south to north since, as we surveyed our descent into the Langstrath Valley, we couldn't help feeling that the descent looked longer than our ascent on the other side.


We are all quite nimble and fast on downhills, especially Wooly. We try to give some helpful hints to our minders who seem to find it hard work for some reason, but we think it has something to do with them being so upright.

As our title suggests, day 3 was a bit of a marathon and there's lots to tell you about and more pictures, so we're dividing it into 2 parts and saving part 2 for tomorrow.

Lots of love, the Cumbria Way walking bears & Wooly xxx

Paws Up at the End of the Day

Good, comfortable accommodation with easy access to food and fine beer, is at the top of a bear's priority list after a good day's walking. Bearing this in mind, we thoroughly recommend Dungeon Ghyll as a place to stay. We managed to test out 2 lots of accommodation for the Friendly Planet Guide as we couldn't all get into the local B & B.

Yorkie, Wooly & I (George) stayed at Millbeck Farm where we had the great pleasure of making the acquaintance of Mrs Taylforth. We thought her B & B was top notch and it ticked all our boxes of what we think a good B & B should be. We had a friendly welcome, were shown to a cosy room and then served as much tea as we could drink, accompanied by home made cakes in a comfortable lounge with a real fire. From the front door it was only a short stroll down to the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel where Isaiah and Dale were staying.


We enjoyed some hearty pub food in the bar, with the most important ingredient, lots of chips! Despite his earlier large helping of grass Wooly tucked in heartily, and proved that not all sheep are vegetarian.

Good food has to be washed down with a pint or two and the tipple of the evening was a local Thwaite's brew, rather appropriately named Wainwright, after the famous Lakeland author and walker, Alfred Wainwright. As we were being long distance path walker bears it was only right that we give it our full attention. Here we are doing just that!


This beer is described on the pump clip as an 'exquisitely lovely ale' and we can only agree.

We all slept very well that night in our respective accommodation. Dale and Isaiah showed us round there room before we headed back to the farm and it was very fine.

Lots of love George and fellow walkers xxx

Day 2 is a Doddle

On leaving the memorial we rejoined the Cumbria Way which took us to Tarn Hows via a very scenic route. The view got even better when we got to Tarn Hows which really is a most delightful spot as you can see.


It was a real treat for us to be there and we could think of few places we'd rather be. We found it hard to believe that what we were looking at was man made. As we had a shorter and easier day's walk than day 1, we had time to linger in the sunshine. Wooly swears that Lake District grass tastes better than grass elsewhere, and, within the Lake District, Tarn Hows grass tastes best of all. We, therefore, left him getting his fill while we went off for something more to our taste - an ice cream from the van in the car park.


Our female minders spurned both grass and ice cream, and got out their exotically flavoured fruit lollies they had purchased in Coniston. Peace reigned as they were too busy licking to talk. We found it very amusing seeing their tongues turn the colour of their lollies, including stripes.

After stuffing himself with grass Wooly said he felt quite bloated. He didn't feel quite agile enough to leap over the next stile or two, so tried out the ground level animal passageway, although it took all 4 of us to lift the closing plank clear. Naturally, we were very careful not to decapitate Wooly!


The rest of the day's walk was very pleasant and we even had time for a pub stop in Elterwater. We arrived at our overnight accommodation feeling that we coul easily have walked a bit further. A bit different to yesterday!

Lots of love, Wooly, Yorkie, Dale, Isaiah & George xxx

Are We There Yet?

Having had a hearty cooked breakfast, we can't really claim to have been too hungry at lunch time, but it was good to have an excuse to rest and to admire the rural landscape. Yorkie also took the opportunity to do a bit of ear cleaning with his banana stalk (we can't take him anywhere!!)


After lunch we left farmland behind and the terrain became more rugged and typical of the Lakeland fells. This was the scenery we had set out to see and we began to feel very satisfied although a little worried about the long way we still had to go that day.

Fortunately the sun kept shining and we passed some lovely bubbling becks. Some had some really good bridges, as in our next picture. These are great for bears as when there are no bridges we often find we have to pole vault across streams that our minders simply step across.


The last 5 or so miles were along the shore of Lake Coniston. This is our favourite Lake District lake and holds a lot of happy memories for us. Unfortunately there wasn't time to linger as the Bluebird bitter in the Coniston Black Bull was beckoning. The shoreline path enabled us to speed up our progress but we all took some time out to admire the double rainbow which appeared over the lake.


It was a long first day's walk but a good one. We were very glad to put our feet up in the B & B and have a hot shower and a snooze before strolling to the Black Bull for a well earned pint (or two!)

Lots of love, George, Isaiah, Wooly & team xxx

Those Paws are Made for Walking

We all love the great outdoors, so our high spirits continued as we completed the first mile and the walk got properly underway.

Wooly showed a clean pair of heels over the stiles with us following, a bit slower, but with no less enthusiasm.


Wooly pointed out that his legs were actually shorter than Isaiah's and mine but there must be something genetic in his sheep make up which sped him along faster than us.

Our progress was slower than it might have been, not because of short legs, but because of the weather which couldn't make up it's mind what it was doing. One minute it was hot and sunny, the next cool and cloudy and there were a few brief showers.

This wasn't a problem for us bears and Wooly as we all have all purpose all weather fur/wool, but it was a problem for our minders who were forever changing their clothes - waterproofs on then off, zip off touser legs zipped off then on, and so on.


We made the most of the waiting time to look behind us and admire the views across Morecombe Bay. Please believe us, the weather wasn't as dismal as it looks in this picture; it was nice day - we just hadn't got the right light for our picture.

All too soon it was time for lunch. Keep reading for the afternoon's progress.

Lots of love, the Cumbria Way walkers xxx

On Your Marks ...

Our walk started on a fine Monday morning. We were all raring to go but we had to wait for, not one, but two sets of minders to fiddle with equipment, adjust rucksack straps, extend trekking poles and so on. It's much simpler being a bear, or sheep, as we travel very light and take just ourselves.

Our secret weapon was Wooly who is a genuine Lakeland sheep. He came to Bears Unlimited from his previous home in Ambleside on a previous B.U. trip to the Lake District. He was therefore the perfect guide for us and with him as our leader we hardly ever needed to refer to a map.

We waited for our minders at the official start. It was rather unglamorous, being at the exit of Ulverston's central car park, but we had the pleasant sound of tinkling water behind us and we had sunny spot to linger in.


While we were waiting we chatted to a man who lived in the house in the top right corner of our photo. He told us that he'd walked the Cumbria Way twice, once with his wife, which he said took forever, and once with some army friends when they completed the 75 mile route in 2 days!!! We were stunned to learn that anyone could travel that fast and we knew that we'd need every minute of the 5 days allocated to complete the trail.

Eventually our minders joined us and we set off with a spring in our step and lots of enthusiasm. Did it last? Keep reading to find out.

Lots of love, George, Isaiah, Yorkie, Dale and Wooly xxx

Who Can Lend Us a Foot Spa?

Hello again to our loyal readers. We're all safely back from our latest adventure and happily re-united with the rest of our Bears Unlimited friends.

If the title hasn't given you a clue as to what we got up to last week our next picture should!


Yes, we've been walking and we've covered around 85 miles in 5 days. Not bad you say, but it has taken it's toll on Yorkie and myself, which is why we're soaking our aching and blistered paws and trying to find someone who can lend us a foot spa. Wooly who walked with us is absolutely fine as his hooves are built to withstand walking over some rough terrain.

Hopefully we're whetting your appetite and you're all eager to know where we went walking. In case the fact that Wooly joined us as a walking companion, is not enough of a clue, the following picture will leave you in no doubt.


We've done a mammoth walk in the Lake District, completing the Cumbria Way, which runs from Ulverston in the south of Cumbria, to Carlisle in the north. Rather optimistically the guide books claim it is a 75 mile walk but our GPS's tell us we've walked several miles further and we think the guides forget that land in the Lake District is not flat!

We're looking forward to sharing our pictures and tales with you over the next few days. In case you're wondering where the Suffolk Branch, who were sharing this adventure with us are, they're only travelling back from Keswick today, but you'll be seeing them as the story of our adventure unfolds.

We can't wait to share it with you.

Lots of love, George, Yorkie & Wooly