travel

Coast to Coast Day 5 Patterdale to Brampton

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That’s Day 5, Patterdale up and over the highest point on the Coast to Coast to Brampton (via Burnbanks) done. What a day!

We left our BnB (the Old View Inn ) at about 9am after an amazing breakfast with all the fancy things like tea cups and proper spoons and plates and such – in stark contrast to the stinky hikers we are by Day 6 with no laundry other than in a sink to this point!

A tiny bit of road walking to the trail head, and then we were in it right from the jump! Up and up and up on rocky obvious path with bracken (large ferns) to the left and right of us as we climbed. No crazy cliffs and no scrambling, just hard work up with great views back into Patterdale.

We had four milestones to hit today, the first being an include up to Angle Tarn – just keep walking, just keep walking. With my tummy still sore from yesterday for some reason I was not so much Scaredy Bear today but rather Slothy Bear. One step at a time made sure I kept up with my crew. We made it to the 1,500 feet were rewarded with the views of the Tarn!

We hit Angle Tarn, had a micro break – aka sunscreen and some candy – and then made our way to the next milestone, the peak of The Knott at 2,425 feet / 739 m. While still up and up this was a LOT less steep than our first push out of town but no less rewarding. Mostly obvious rocky path with a few soft (thank you!) grass sections.

The real reward was up next, Kidsty Pike at 2,559 feet / 780 m – the highest point on the Coast to Coast and it deserves all the praise it gets. The first photo in this post is all of us up there and in awe of the view and our accomplishments so far!

The walk up from The Knott has some good steep sections but nothing compared to what we have seen on other days, and all on pretty wide ridges and tracks making it my favourite climb so far.

After the last trudge up, we took our lunch break at the top of Kidsty Pike in amazing spirits, sunshine, comfy grass to sit on, and yummy snacks. This right here is why I do this – my happy place.

Ok sunscreen on and lunch on board, we started the long, long descent down to the next milestone Haweswater Reservoir. What started off as a nice stroll down on the grass, soon became a toe crushing descent. Just when the feeling of your feet sliding forward in your boots was too much, it became a rocky near-scramble which felt better … at first until it didn’t. Oh and then back to grassy toe crushing. Good times!

We made quick time of it – no lallygagging on descents for his crew – we had views of our Haweswater Reservoir. The actually loved a town, cemetery and use this spot as a Reservoir. When the water is low you can see some of the buildings from the old town!

We had another micro little break just at the bottom of the descent in the most amazing little spot beside the river. Shar dunked our buffs in the cool water for us to wear on our necks to cool down.

From there it was about a 6km hike along the Reservoir- a bit of up and down along the path, sometimes a little too close to the edge for my liking, but a great trail. The feet and heat were being felt by now so we made quick work of it as there was little to no shade.

On the other side of the water, we had a 2.4km stretch of quiet road to reach our much deserved home for the night, Mardale Inn. Which had manpower on arrival but made us yummy burgers on the generator power, and then were back up and running by 9pm for the WiFi and hot showers before bed!

For those reading on the run …

  • Date: Thursday June 19 2025
  • Trail: Coast to Coast Path, England
  • Day: 5 of 17
  • To/From: Patterdale / Burnbanks (onto Bampton)
  • Start/Finish time: 900am / 615pm
  • Distance: 20.48km (All Trails)
  • Steps: 35,093
  • Terrain: rocks up and rocks down and rocks rocks rocks
  • Weather: perhaps a little too hot at 25C
  • Breaky: scrambled eggs and yogurt
  • Lunch n Snacks: 11siesorange juice, banana, 2sies strawberries, cookies and sandwiches, 2sies strawberries, juice
  • Dinner: steak burger, chips (fries) and salad
  • Tonight’s home away from home: Mardale Inn (fantastic place to stay!)
  • Mood: good, fleeting blessed
  • Body: dogs are barking, hips tight but my tummy issues are gone
  • Highlight: the highest point of the Path and the trail was tough up up up but not Scaredy Bear tough – enjoyable!
  • Lowlight: the descent from the highest point was toe crushing
  • Deep thoughts: there us such thing as too much of a good thing

And we are off on Day 6, see ya on the flip side! (PS had to write this while walking – sorry about the grammar and spelling mistakes!)

Brande

Coast to Coast Day 2 Ennerdale Bridge to Roswaithe

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Day 2 on the Coast to Coast Path is in the books. Today we walked Ennerdale Bridge to Roswaithe which is said to be the toughest stage of the Path and we agree!

We started our day off with a fantastic full English breakfast (bacon, sausage, beans, tomato, toast, eggs) and a couple of extras depending on what you ordered (black pudding, porridge, yogurt, etc.) Ready to burn off those calories, we headed out the door for 9am and made our way to our first obstacle of the day’s walk, Ennerdale Water.

Ennerdale Water is over 4km long and has two ways around it. The Northern Shore which is a forest, gravel track. This is a multi use track, think bikes to hikes, and is recommended when the weather is offensive. The Southern Shore is the classic Coast to Coast Path route and recommended in fine weather but is a lot more work. It’s a path just on the water’s edge, made up of mostly large uneven rocks, steams to cross, some scrambling (think hands and feet), and takes much longer but is absolutely gorgeous. Sun was out, so Southern Shore it is!

That last one there of me (thanks Shar for the snap!) make me look like a boss. But … I am terrified of heights, and what you can’t see in the photo is how steep that trail is (to me), how close it is to a 30-40 foot drop into the lake (for real) and the lake is full of lava, flesh eating alligators, spiders and zombies that are hungry for Brande bits! Well at least that’s how scary in my brain it is and the scenario that was playing out in my mind as I precariously balanced on a ‘knife’s edge’. The mind is an interesting creature!

In just over a couple of hours we put the zombies behind us and were on the other side of Ennerdale Water. After such a long time stepping so carefully, we were ready for a break and had ourselves a little 11sies picnic trailside before kicking off our next obstacle.

With some cookies and fruit onboard, we headed for the forest road (gravel logging road) which would take us to the place where we leave the trail and start heading up and up over the mountain range to our home on the other side, Roswaithe.

There are two options here, the classic is via the Black Sail Youth Hostel (most remote in England which is odd to me as you can technically drive to it) OR the alternative up to Red Pike and across the wide mountain range ridge via Hay Stacks where the routes meet up for the decent into Honister. On a fine day, which we were definitely having, the high route via Red Pike is not to be missed.

So we split the uprights to experience it all! The decision point is at a fence / gate and Dad and Shar headed up to Red Pike and Hai and me carried onto the Black Sail Youth Hostel approach. The plan was to meet in Honister (there is a little cafe at the Slate Mine tourist shop) unless we happened to see each other at the path junction on the ridge – pretty slim chance there but would have been exciting

So off Hailey and I went for few more kms along the forest road ..

We made great time to the Black Sail Youth Hostel. The gravel track was mostly a gentle incline but with little shade for this 6.5km section. Our 15C day while mild was feeling a little less so pretty quick. Think mini donuts on one of those little deep fryer conveyor belts. A little breeze kicked up about half way and we were loving that until that little breeze changed the day pretty quick!

Not too long after our refreshing breeze started, Hailey and I both noticed a change in the temp and speed of that wind all of a sudden. Colder and stronger, and it was bringing in some cloud and fog cover. Wonder how Dad and Shar around doing up top? By the time we made it to Black Sail Youth Hostel, the breeze was gusts and they were strong – slow you down or push you forward while walking strong.

The Hostel was open so we tucked inside for 30mins for a fantastic break – we left a 5er in the honest box collection and had a tea and shared a chocolate. After a quick stop at their toilets, we added a layer of clothing and headed back out into the gust storm!

I have met Wind but never Gust and he is a spicy, blowy chap! We had to laugh and pause a few times when it kicked up particularly well then carry on quickly in the quiet breaks. The path took us onward from the Black Sail Youth Hostel now on a thin grassy or rocky path towards my nemesis of the day – Loft Beck!

Once we had traversed these skinny little trails, we arrived at Loft Beck and Scaredy Bear Brande was in full force. This is a 1000 foot / 300m stone staircase beside a rushing river up a steep ravine from bottom of the valley to top of the mountain. And obviously more zombies in the water waiting for Brande bits to chomp on!

I was in awe of how beautiful it was, how thankful I was for whoever built said stone staircase, and completely terrified. The upside? It was not going to rain, and the wind gusts were pushing us into the mountain like a little temperamental safety harness (yes that’s what I told myself!) The pictures first looking up at the bottom, then down about 75% of the way up do not do it justice. Except maybe that last one, the nice flat green grass waaaay down at the bottom is where we started!

I gave Hailey the warning that if I stop I will never start again, and I took off up and up. Speaking out loud to myself that the wind is my friend and helping me stay on the mountain, that these are just stairs and I do those all the time, I can do anything for 100 steps and again and again, and to not crawl. For the Lord of the Rings fans in the crowd, I have resorted to Gollum like hiking in the past! Not a good look!

When I got to a little safe spot I could look back and check on baby sis.. she was just happily stepping up and up the steps not a concern in the world. Damn gazelle was made for this! Love that!

At the top we hit the junction where Dad and Shar might have been spotted – no dice – so we had a sip of water, almost fell over about a dozen times as the wind was WAY worse up here and then made our way across the top of the wide ridge.

This was gorgeous walking up here, mostly on grass or small stone trail and cairns (piles of rock) all along the route to guide the way. Stunning! I took some videos and popped those up on Running for the Gate Instagram.

The trail book says from the top to the Honister Cafe it was about 60mins walking – we needed double that. You had to stop walking sometimes to let the gust go by and then get some steps in before the next one for quite a bit of our time up there. We definitely kept wondering how Dad and Shar were fairing coming across the whole thing!

We arrived down in Honister after the Cafe closed but I was able to pop in to use the wifi and let our BnB place now we would be later than planned thanks to Gusty McGusterton. We found a nice bench sheltered from the wind and a view of the final descent down into Honister so we could see when Shar and Dad were coming down. They should be about 2 hours behind us according to the guidebook.

Meanwhile Dad and Shar were not traversing the ridge top. They made it up to Red Pike at 755ft in good time but the gusts of wind were treacherous up there – so they snapped a couple pics and then backtracked to take the route Hailey and I did but a couple hours behind us.

By the time we reunited down in Honister – it was pretty cool to see them come up and over the edge there on top and watch their descent – the day was hitting 7pm so we sent a quick note to our BnB lady (I had to jog up the street until I found a signal) and she came and grabbed us.

We arrived to our new home for the night, Yew Craggs in Roswaithe a few mins later, and not 15mins after that we were sitting down for a cold pint, hot homemade pasta and an amazing dessert we had pre arranged with Ann Marie at the BnB.

We were all wind burnt, dog tired, full up from a delish supper when we made our way to bed around 930. Got to give the body a little lay flat sleepy time so we are spry for another tough day though the Lake District tomorrow (in pouring rain I might add!)

For the speedy ..

  • Date: Monday June 16 2025
  • Trail: Coast to Coast Path, England
  • Day: 2 of 17
  • To/From: Ennerdale Bridge / Roswaithe
  • Start/Finish time: 9am / 7pm
  • Distance: 23 (25.4km Hiiker)
  • Steps: 31,180
  • Terrain: Rocky scramble, gravel forest road, grassy trail, steep stone steps of hell, gusty rocky trails, stoney decline
  • Breaky: full English / cooked breakfast
  • Lunch n Snacks: cookies, apple, sandwich packed from last nights accommodations, gummy snacks, tea, chocolate
  • Dinner: local sourced pasta, berries and cream and a local pint Tractor Shed Brewing called Kessin (blonde ale)
  • Tonight’s home away from home: Yew Craggs of amazingness
  • Mood: happy with terrified and proud moments
  • Body: feeling great!
  • Highlight: tea at the Black Sail Youth Hostel with my sister
  • Lowlight: gusty, grumpy winds
  • Deep thoughts: trail magic is really and truly a thing, the people and the path can be the most amazing example of how blessed we really are!

Well Day 3 won’t start itself – off we go!

Brande

Coast to Coast Day 4 Grasmere to Patterdale

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Day 4 done like dinner! What a beautiful day – from trail to views to weather, wow.

We kicked the day off with another great breakfast at The Swan Hotel – scrambled eggs, porridge, tea, coffee, the works. Then grabbed our kit and made our way the short way back through Grasmere to the Co-Op. A convenience store meets grocery store for small towns and one of my favourite shops for trail side provisions. I found my Prawn Cocktail crisps (potato chips) and was already excited to crack into them on our lunch break. Yummy!

About a kilometer of quiet road walking to kick off the day and then we were back on rocky paths.

Before heading up, we did a quick chat with Ankles. A very nice chap also doing the Coast to Coast that we had seen for the last couple days. Nicknamed (by us) for his two reconstructed ankles and our amazement that he is doing, albeit it looks painful, the Coast to Coast Path. I will officially complain less about my annoying knee brace!

Up and up and up along a rocky path between the trees and bracken, led us to a gorgeous river crossing and our first route decision on our way up to Grisdale Tarn (538m or 1,765 feet), our lunch spot for the day.

To get to Grisdale Tarn you had to go around Little Tongue – a baby ‘mountain’ – and there was the left side that has steeper sections and more exposed path or the right side Little Tongue that is a sustained climb but a way from the edge. Both at about 1.8km before the paths rejoined and all leading to Grisdale Tarn our lunch spot.

Surprise! I went right and my trusty partner in crime, Hailey, came with me. Also, surprise! Dad and Shar went left for a bit more adrenaline. With a wave and smile we set off.

The Little Tongue route Hailey and I took was absolutely breathtaking! We continued to walk on the very obvious rocky path, with a beautiful stone fence to our left most of the way (in my mind some farmer from way long ago out built it as a safety fence for me, thanks Ned!). We walked up and up and up on a gentle but thoroughly thigh burning incline – the little river or stream crossing every 100 or so feet helped break up the plod.

We left all trees behind pretty quick after the split (and would not see any again along the trail until almost into Patterdale our destination) and wow was it heating up. While still only 15C, we were feeling the sunshine!

A little micro break before the path turned up the incline for the final push over the pass to the Tarn was perfect for some more sunscreen. (You can tell the incline of the path by how we are seating in this photo.) Ankles joined us for this break and we got a bit of the back story on his injuries – soccer – me too!

Nothing to be done but up and over – we were now into Scaredy Bear climb territory – Hailey and I started the hot climb up to the Tarn. Which included lots of those stone steps into the side of the hill for our path and way too many sections that had my heart racing but we made great, steady progress. We were soon in a pretty spot without risk of falling and picking our way through an old rock slide with a smile. (For those from Alberta reading this, it reminded me of climbing through Frank Slide area)

One more final, hot push and we came over the pass at the side of Grisdale Tarn – our meeting spot with Dad and Shar and this side of the hill offered a nice breeze too! We hunkered down for our lunch break. Shoes and socks and knee brace off – felt amazing!

Reunited with Dad and Shar, we had another decision point on the trail today. There are 3 routes to get from here to Patterdale.

  • Striding Edge which is basically a long, exposed path up to a knife’s edge ridge walk then down to town – no thank you from all of us!
  • St Sunday Crag which is a little shorter but still long, exposed path up to a safe, wide ridge for the views then down into town – that was a yes for Shar and Dad.
  • The Valley which is the official route which is a long, decline down through the valley into Patterdale – that was a yes for the Valley Girls, aka Hailey and Brande.

A little photo montage from the Valley! (Highlight was that we could see Shar and Dad make their way up, up and up the climb to St Sunday Crag until there just a little mint and red specs on the hillside!)

A little photo montage from St Sunday Crag!

After a few hours all of us had had our Valley or Ridge thrills, then started to make our way down the long decent (no matter what route you took the toes were feeling it) into Patterdale. We celebrated the end of an amazing day with a cold pint on the patio of The White Lion before making our way to our accommodation.

For this with only a min to spare …

  • Date: Saturday June 18 2025
  • Trail: Coast to Coast Path, England
  • Day: 4 of 17
  • To/From: Grasmere / Patterdale
  • Start/Finish time: 940am / 500pm
  • Distance: 13.8km (Hiiker)
  • Steps: 27,934
  • Terrain: rocks, rocks and more rocks (from boulders to pebbles, we had rocks!)
  • Weather: gorgeous 17c with a few wispy clouds mid afternoon for a short time
  • Breaky: full English / cooked breakfast
  • Lunch n Snacks: 11sies cookie, 2sies half sandwich, Harry Potter candies, 5sies a pint
  • Dinner: baked potato
  • Tonight’s home away from home: Old Water View (wow what an absolute gem!)
  • Mood: feeling good, tired!
  • Body: feet are good, the calves are tight thanks to all this incline
  • Highlight: feet are good, the calves are tight thanks to all this incline
  • Lowlight: terribly sore tummy this afternoon and evening
  • Deep thoughts: it’s really is the little things

Our accommodation is the Old Water View Inn and wow wow wow. This place is an ode to Wainwright himself and stunning. They have a fantastic back garden with picnic tables over looking the river, full bar, baked potato inspired dinner menu, and a resident Red Squirrel (which is quite the treat to spot!)

That’s off on Day 5 up and over the highest point in the trail today in 25C heat! Yahoo?

Brande

Coast to Coast Day 3 Roswaithe to Grasmere

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Day 3 done like dinner. It will be a simple 14.5km jaunt up and over the Lining Crag pass and through the valley to Grasmere, they said! Not so much my bloggy blog friends!

The day kicked off with an amazing breakfast at Yew Craggs BnB and then we donned the full waterproofs – from shoes to pants to jackets in anticipation of the 95% rain all day we were expecting … and nature delivered.

We started with just a short road walk and then were on a beautiful rocky path following a river, with a rock wall and some sheep (of course) beside us through the trees. It was raining but not too hard – so far the path was still a path and not a small river.

In about a couple kilometers the path turned into a mix of grass and rock and we were treated with views of the beautiful Lining Cragg pass we were heading up to find our way to Grasmere valley on the other side.

Lining Cragg was our challenge of the day. Sitting at 1,778 feet (542) metres we knew it would be a bit of an uphill slog to the top but with the temp sitting at a nice 7C, the rain still quite light and little wind we were up for it (pun intended!).

As we walked out of Borrowdale Valley (we’re Roswaithe and a number of other hamlets sit) the path started to introduce our incline. A fantastic gradual incline that was just enough to burn the thighs but not so much that you needed to stop for breaks.

The further into and up the valley we got, the path started to get serious – much more incline, stone steps built in. The slog had arrived but wow what scenery… what you could see anyway. We were pretty socked into the cloud and mists by now making it so quiet except our boots, poles and river below. Ok and a touch of Darth Vader breathing. The down side of your rain coat hood up is how amplified your own breath is – so I really sound like that!?

A couple of false summits later, we were ready to say goodbye to this pass. Nothing like coming around a bend on a high climb thinking you are done just to see another, harder section above. Again and again! Keep on swimming, keep on swimming as Dori would say.

By this time a few of the sections were a little sketchy for Scaredy Bear Brande with some thin paths on the mountain shoulder with drops to the side but I was powering through. That was about to change.

As we came up and around the last false summit, we saw the real one and could not believe it. We watched tiny little people ahead of us climb and scramble up what looked like a stone and grass wall. We checked the guidebook and my digital maps to make sure we were even on the right path. We were.

The lot of us were all a little intimidated. So we took a minute to focus our good thoughts and will power (aka the Strachan family stubbornness and competitiveness) to conquer this thing and watch where climbers before were finding the path. It was not clear at all from our vantage point if there was a path at all. There was … ish. Path-curious at best.

Nothing to do but carry on, so we did!

In a boost of path magic, a spry couple of gents went up just before us and confirmed that after a no path section, then a short section of scrambling (hands required) there were in fact a few stone steps to the left of the river we were following. Yahoo! That was confirmation we were going in the ‘right’ direction (debatable in my opinion) and there would be a few less sketchy spots to look forward too.

Dad out front, we headed up and up. Dad was wholly unimpressed by how dangerous this was for his daughters but I think secretly loved the challenge and tackled it like a boss! I was second last and did have to do a good amount with my poles strapped to my wrists and my hands on the rocks ahead it was well outside this gal’s comfort zone! The trail magic continue in our favour – the wind died down, the rain turned to very light mist and we made it. No mishaps or mistakes. Phew!

Looking back we all agreed it was a tough sketchy but not as sketchy as it first looked if they had just marked the actual path with some blazes so folks weren’t struggling to find the next spot to step.

Up and over it was my newest most favourite valley walk for 9 kilometers! Thanks to the recent heavy rains the river and streams were out in full glory showing off waterfalls!

We were even treated to the most amazing stone slab sidewalk where the water soggy grass / peat would have been an absolute nightmare to cross. The sun was trying to peek out and it looked like shiny sidewalk into the unknown! Loved it.

A little, short break for lunch on a few boulders when the rain let up and we carried on. We were making great time, everyone feeling good (despite Hailey’s absolutely water logged shoes poor thing). I loved loved loved this section. The high mountains to each side, green everywhere, amazing path underfoot that gave you just enough rock and rubble to keep you entertained.

At about a km from our destination we had slowly declined to farm level and started to weave on a stone path between farms and fields.

Once we hit the sweet little town of Grasmere at about km 15, it was about 330 and we were ready for a little look about. This town is like a small Banff or Whistler with lots of outdoor shops, tea rooms and little Inns.

I beelined to the Grasmere Gingerbread shop (gingerbread recipe that has not changed in over 150s of years originating right from Grasmere!) to queue for a few pieces for our crew to try. Glad I tried it, but it was too spicy for me with large chewy chunks of ginger.

I am more into a nice afternoon team with a scone, jam and clotted cream! When in England surely a cream tea is a requirement!

We headed to our home for the night, The Swan Hotel, after visiting a few outdoor shops (we needed new rubber bottoms for our hiking poles that have taken a beating on the rocks) and the most amazing puzzle store ever! Thank goodness I only have a backpack or I would have been bringing home at least a dozen puzzles. For real.

For those who love Cole’s Notes:

  • Date: Tuesday June 17 2025
  • Trail: Coast to Coast Path, England
  • Day: 4 of 17
  • To/From: Roswaithe to Grasmere
  • Start/Finish time: 9am / 336pm
  • Distance: 14.5km (15.5km Strava)
  • Steps: 27,386
  • Terrain: rocky (and wet) flat track, stone and rock paths up and up, stones on the steep climb, and a little road walking into Grasmere
  • Weather: cloud and rain to mist all day about 13 degrees at valley level
  • Breaky: full English / cooked breakfast
  • Lunch n Snacks: 11sies cookie, baby food tube. 2sies half a sandwich, gummy Harry Potter candies
  • Dinner: ham and fried eggs with chips
  • Tonight’s home away from home: The Swan Hotel, cute little hotel chain with an amazing beer garden out back
  • Mood: feeling proud our crew conquered the pass, wasn’t sure I could do it – scary!
  • Body: good, feet need some love
  • Highlight: the valley between the pass and Grasmere, absolutely amazing!
  • Lowlight: the terrifying scramble section to get up through the pass
  • Deep thoughts: you can do anything for 10 steps, and 10 steps more, and 10 steps more, and …

A nice dinner, a good sleep and we are just heading off for Day 4 now. I will check in again from Patterdale!

Brande

Coast to Coast Day 1 St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge

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Day 1 of the Coast to Coast Path is in the books! The 24 kilometers (which ended up being 25km if you count the steps from our BnB) was a mix of sun and mist, ohhh and ahs, hills and flats, paths and roads. Perfect kick off!

At about 9am (after a delicious full English breakfast) we left the Stonehouse Cottage B&B in St Bees – lovely place. A quick detour to the Post Office Store for our lunch goodies (buns, ham and cheese) and we were on our way.

We took our starting line photo in front of the Coast to Coast sign, christened our boots in the Irish Sea (well actually a small tide pool, the tide was quite a ways out by 9am) and grabbed our pebble to carry on the journey and drop in sea at Robin’s Hood Bay to celebrate our finish!

Then it was up up up a beautiful path to the coast cliffs for the first 7km. Between the sunshine (which we knew was only a treat for us this morning) and the amazing views, we were feeling blessed! Until Dad kicked our butts up the climb and then we had to get serious – Strachan’s can be rather competitive!

(That’s Dad way ahead! Get em!)

The views from the top of the cliff were amazing. The waves were showing off small white caps and the nesting sea birds were everyone tucked into the cliffs. They had a few fenced areas where you could stand from the shelter of the winds and bird watch. Shar and Hai struck up a conversation with a couple and got to borrow binoculars to see Puffins!

At about kilometer 7 (after the St Bees Lighthouse), we took a hard right and started the Eastward 300 kilometer journey to England’s other coast. In a small hamlet called Sandwith (which we of course pronounced sandwich) we took our little 11sies break on some picnic tables outside a closed cafe.

The clouds were now above us and we could feel the change in the weather approaching but didn’t expect anything torrential. To be prepared though, before departing from our break spot we put the waterproof pack covers on, pulled the waterproofs (pants and jackets) out of their compression sacks and put them on top in our backpacks for quick access.

After a bit of quiet road walking, we were onto paths with a mix of fields and track, between farms and sometimes right through people’s farm buildings. The public access rights always amaze me in the UK – wonder how that would work in Canada for us. I would love it!

During our mid day stroll, we passed the ‘Wainright Passage’ sign. He is the guy who created the Coast to Coast Path so of course a quick pic was required. I sent that one off via What’s App as mid-day proof of joy to the family following along back home.

At about 130pm we were ready for a proper lunch stop and were so excited that the timing was perfect to visit St Leonard’s Church in Cleator.

The church often has a Honesty Box of tea, coffee, and chocolate inside. A simple make a donation and enjoy system! Sadly it was not one of those days at the Church but they had a welcome Coast to Coast walkers sign so we took that as a signal that we could respectfully use their covered benches for our lunch break out of the misty rain that had stayed about an hour before.

Gaiters, boots and socks off (so important to give your feet some breathing room after hours in gortex!) and we enjoyed a great lunch. Nothing like ripping open a fresh bun, and tearing off a chuck of cheese when you are hungry, followed by some sweet snacks.

After lunch, we headed for what should have been the big challenge of the day – the 350m climb through the forest up and over Dent Hill. However, it looks like the last couple weeks of thunderstorms wreaked havoc on the forest though and the path was covered in dozens of felled trees. The diversion said there were ‘dangerous trees’ – we had visions of the scary trees that chase Mickey and Donald out of the forest in the Halloween Disney Special but I am sure that is not what they meant.

The Coast to Coast Path team (not actually sure who that is) had a very well marked diversion in place for us – thank you!

Following fluorescent yellow dipped sticks we instead made that climb on a very quiet country lane. It was a climb to a bend in the road, to discover another climb to a bend in the road, and another and another. The long, sustained incline is always extra fun in waterproofs but we made good, sweaty progress. After a couple kilometers, the diversion took us onto a rocky path in the valley between the hills – I LOVED this part! The mist made it feel so quiet and isolated, the sheep dotting the hills and path were adorable and the walking very easy under foot.

Speaking of mist .. don’t actually think we were being rained on all afternoon but rather walking in the clouds or at least thick fog. It was a gentle falling / swirling mist really. Light enough to not want a rain coat but misty enough to need one. We were Care Bears making our way through the clouds – obviously the Care Bears theme song came up often and out loud!

The volume of rain though over the last few days was still very obvious. The path was pretty muddy and many little baby stream crossing were more like impromptu small river crossings. A mix of large leaps across, quick steps on water logged stones or a full on step right in the water (that was me by accident, oops) got us across all of them.

About half way through this valley path, we were reunited with the actual Coast to Coast Path at a place called Nannycatch (which is basically a gate as far as I could make out).

A group of 2 English couples who we had been just behind all day could be seen doing the same river hopping dance as us about 100 yards ahead on the path. I suspect we will be seeing this group a lot the next days on path, we seem to have the same schedule and even accommodations. We had a good chat with them at supper and they are sweet and very seasoned long distance walkers.

After a few more official and less than official Coast to Coast Path markers we found our way to the final stretch of quiet road into Ennerdale Bridge. I cannot believe how many homemade C2C signs we found – from spray paint on rocks, to sharpie markers on red lids nailed to posts, to laminated home printed signs. I love that. Nothing better than knowing you are going the right way!

We made it to Shepherds Arm Hotel in Ennerdale Bridge for about 530pm, checked in, got the wet gear and boots off to the drying room and then feet up with a tea for a bit!

We enjoyed a fantastic meal right at the hotel – roast beef and roast turkey was on special served piping hot. The perfect contrast to my ice cold Lager. Yummy! While at super, we order packed lunches for day 2 and arranged our breakfast time too.

All of us tired and happy we made our way back to the rooms and hit the hay pretty quick around 9/930. Felt good to get flat. What a great day 1 and fantastic start to this epic journey!

A quick Coles Notes for the speed readers:

  • Date: Sunday June 15 2025
  • Trail: Coast to Coast Path, England
  • Day: 1 of 17
  • To/From: St. Bees / Ennerdale Bridge
  • Start/Finish time:
  • Distance: 24km (25.01km Hiiker)
  • Steps: 37,074
  • Terrain: mix of cliff side path, quiet road and rocky (wet) track
  • Breaky: full English cooked breakfast
  • Lunch n Snacks: 11sies cookies, lunch ham and cheese sandwich and cookies, 2sies gummy worms
  • Dinner: crispy pork belly stack with black pudding and bacon and mashed potatoes, a couple of Lakeland Lagers
  • Tonight’s home away from home: Shepherds Arm Hotel (good vibe, great food, amazing shower, soft towels, hard squeaky beds)
  • Mood: feeling blessed with sunshine for any part of today, good company and a healthy family that can do this together
  • Body: feeling good, no blisters yet!
  • Highlight: the path in the valley and confirmation that I am, in fact, a Care Bear
  • Lowlight: the big ole step I took right into the ‘stream’ filling my boot with water
  • Deep thoughts: keep you eyes ahead of your but not so far that you don’t see and enjoy today! Aka don’t worry that tomorrow is a pretty sketchy and remote section of the trail, that’s tomorrow!

That’s a wrap on Day 1, wow! Now off to make my morning tea and pick off Day 2. Roswaithe we are coming for ya.

Brande

6 Sleeps and 6 Must-Haves

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Our departure for England to walk the Coast to Coast Path is fast approaching. Just 6 sleeps left – well, I am probably too excited to actually call them sleeps. This time next week, we’ll be on our adventure!

As we put the final touches on what we will be packing for this trip, I started thinking about some of the must-have items that I take with me every time. The little things that I realized over many trips are my must-haves. I thought I would share these must-haves with you to see if they might be helpful for any future trips you might be taking. They are not specific to my usual long-distance path adventures, even though those are mostly what I talk about here on Running for the Gate. For any travel, here we go ..

  1. Carabiner! A large carabiner is a must-have. You do not need the super-expensive, official carabiner used by actual rock climbers. Rather, I am talking about a large carabiner that you can often find in your Canadian Tire, outdoor store, department store, etc. They are fantastic for hooking onto the seat back on a plane or train to keep your bag or hat off the ground, for clipping on to your backpack so you can hang your shoes instead of jamming them inside or to hang wet socks to dry or your hat when you do not need to be wearing it. They are also fantastic for clipping your bags together when sitting in airports and train stations to make them harder to swipe (swiper no swiping!).
  2. Ziplocks! A combination of a couple of large and a few sandwich-sized sized ziplocks are a must-have. Roll them up into a tiny little tube, and they can be tucked in any small spot in your backpack. These little beauties are fantastic for your sunscreen that exploded, the snacks you opened like a wild beast and now the package cannot be closed again, the cheese and bread you grabbed in the morning to eat on the train or on the path for lunch, as a small trail time garbage to pack out what you packed in, etc. So small and light to carry, and so mighty in what they can do for you.
  3. Stuff sack for laundry! A stuff sack that you can use for your dirty laundry is a must-have. No matter what kind of travelling you’re doing – hiking or tourist, or a combo – dirty clothes are exactly that, dirty (and often stinky too). You do not need them tucked in next to your clean clothes. That just makes more dirty clothes. I use a stuff sack for my dirty laundry so it is separated, and so I can squish it down so it does not take up as much room. For some reason, dirty clothes feel like they take up more space. Not sure if that is just me or science. A stuff sack keeps them separate, small, and gives you a cute little bag to carry them to the laundromat with too. I toss my stuff sack into the wash with the dirty clothes and then pull it out before the dryer so it gets clean too.
  4. Book! A book is a must-have. I do not mean a book on my phone. I mean an actual physical book. I love reading, so there is that, but I mostly love that a book is a big ole, global signal for do not talk to me. I travel alone quite a bit, and that means I want to be alone, not talk to strangers, and am here for the peace and quiet. Not a stranger’s chatter. I find that once I have my nose in a book, no one approaches me. I have my book, my pint in a pub, or a coffee in a shop, and I am free to enjoy my me time. Bonus: from behind a book, you can also secretly people watch and for sure people listen while it looks like you are just quietly reading, not being a Nosey Nellie.
  5. White noise app! A white noise app or some sort of sleeping sound is a must-have. I find that every hotel, B&B, and campsite has its own sounds at night, and I find it really distracting. The elevator in the hotel hallway or the crunchy sound at the campsite that you are convinced is either a bear or a creepy vampire can ruin your sleep. A white noise app is an easy way to set a quiet and constant noise in any place you sleep. It signals to your body it’s sleepy time and helps you ignore some of those new sounds that may interrupt your sleep.
  6. Copy of your passport! A copy of your passport is a must-have. Take this with you just in case your real passport is stolen or missing, but I suggest you take a digital copy (password protected). This way, you have a copy to show the Embassy to get yourself a new one if yours is lost. I also leave a digital or hard copy behind with my husband. That way, should something happen to me, he has the info needed for the authorities to check borders and other passport checks to find me. (Bonus: also leave behind a very detailed itinerary, including the phone numbers of places you stay, just in case your loved ones need to reach you and you have no cell coverage.

Those are my must-haves, and it will probably not surprise you to hear that they are already packed for my departure in 6 sleeps. Did I mention 6 sleeps?

Brandé

8 Sleeps and 8 Tips for the Footsies and Tootsies

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With just 8 sleeps to departure, my mind goes to the final prep and packing – this includes ensuring I have what I need for my feet (socks and shoes) and to treat my feet (blister care).

Walking Long Distance Paths (LDP) can be about the views, the experience, the people you meet, the culture you discover, the health benefits, the goal, etc. Everyone has a different reason or reasons for taking the first step on their LDP of choice, but one thing is true for all of us … our feet are stars of the show here, they are making the magic happen! Step by step.

When I think of our upcoming Coast to Coast Path walk and how many steps it might be, it’s a lot! At over 300km and assuming the average km is 1,400 steps, that’s a whopping 420,000 steps, at minimum. With how hard I will be making my tootsies and footsies work, I better take care of these little beauties.

With just over 2000 km of LDP steps under these feet, I thought I could share my footsie and tootsie care tips to see if one or some may also help you on your long or short distance journeys!

Before you go …

  1. Pick the right shoes! Don’t opt for a backpacking boot if you only need a trail runner, and vice versa. Consider a trainer instead of a boot if you are mostly walking on footpaths and quiet county roads, rather than up and over mountain passes. The bigger, the more robust, the more waterproof, the heavier (and expensive). That’s, of course, perfectly fine if you need that, though. Go into an outdoor store where outdoor people work and give details on your adventure for the best advice!
  2. Train, train, and train! This is incredibly important for your joints, strength, and stamina, as well as your footsies. They will get used to a lot more steps if you give them a little runway before you head out. And I don’t mean a couple of big hikes or a single weekend on the mountain either. I am talking sustained and regular hiking over weeks before you depart. You are NOT looking to jump-start your tootsies; rather, you are looking to build up their resilience. Check out my 20-Week Training Plan, which has never failed me for a 300km trip lead up.
  3. Discover your sock combo! The goal of your training is half getting your body ready, and the other half is finding your perfect gear! As you train, try out different sock types and combos. My sock combo has changed a few times over the years with different shoes and trails, and the ole body (including my feet) getting older and wider. I have been a liner and medium hiking Smartwool, I have been a light single Smartwool, and am currently an Injini (the socks with individual burrito toe pockets) gal. Find your combo through trial and error, most importantly, before you go!

While you are hiking…

  1. If it’s hot, you stop! Any tiny rub or pebble or sock bunch or hot spot or odd pain or odd twinge from your feet as you are on the trail is a sign! Stop, drop, assess, and treat! Even if you are hiking in a group, do not hesitate to drop and check things out – people don’t mind, you would stop for them! So don’t wait for lunch or until you get to y or see x. Right now! The best thing you can do for your feet is prevent a blister from ever happening – once they are there, you go from a little hot spot happily protected with a Compeed to an open wound that has the potential to hurt, get infected, ruin your time, and maybe even your trip. Yeah, that sounds dramatic, but for all those in the crowd who have been there, it’s for real! As you work on opening up to the sounds and feels of nature, keep a few of those senses tuned in on your feet, too. There are a number of ways to treat blisters. Deep dive into some YouTubes and try what works for you – everyone has their own trick.
  2. If you sit, your socks come off! Your feet need a break, too. When you stop for snacks at 11-sies, lunch, late lunch, 2-sies…whatever your schedule…give your feet a break from their shoe and sock prison. Take the shoes off, open up the laces, and pull back the tongue to get some air in there. Then take those socks off, lay them out to dry (from sweat or rain or both). Finally, do a little footsie and tootsie inspection. Wiggle the toes, give each a little rub, and give your foot a rub too. While feeling for any issues, also visually check things out. Treat what you find. Wash those hands, and then have your break while your feet are up! Don’t hang your feet down off a ledge or sit on them, pop ’em up on your backpack or a stump, or at least beside you on the picnic bench. Before you set off again, give your tootsies one more inspection, then put on dry socks! Either change out the ones you had for new dry ones, or the ones you had if they feel dry).

End of your hiking day …

  1. Put those feet up or cool them down! When you arrive at your destination, put those feet up for 15-30mins! In a hotel or BnB, literally lay on the floor or bed and put them up the wall OR in a tent, lay on the ground and get em up a stump or fence! Pulling off the shoes and socks before you do is extra special, and some nice slow ankle rolls and toe wiggles feel amazing, My sister (my usua. LDP companion) and I like to use this time to sip a post hikng day tea and a little debrief of the day as we wiggle our toes in the air. The other option is a cold soak. If you hae a place to stay with a foot bath or tub, cool if not cold water and a 15min soak will be your best friend. Heck even in a river works. Your feet have done a lot today, this is a big thank you to them and a gentle ask that those tootsies not swell up on you from all that they went through today.
  2. Use your sleep to recover! Take advantage of the time you are of your feet and in bed to further thank your feet and prep them for the next day. A nice massage with some moisturizer before you turn off the night-night light. Put one of your pillows down the bottom of the bed and sleep wth your feet slightly elevated. If you do have swelling, toss on a pair of compression socks too.

Before you step out of bed …

  1. Gently welcome your feet to their next day of hiking! Before you even put a foot out of the bed, stetch those feet, wiggle the tootsies, rub the arch and stretch the toes. I also like to do a few leg, hip flexor and upper body stretches before I even sit up. Nothing like a slow, quiet morning stretch to get you ready for another adventure day. You may also want to do another footsie inspection just to make sure any spots you were watching or treated yesterday are looking good. I keep my blister care items and next day socks beside the bed and update my blister prevention and put on my socks before I even get out of bed to get the day started.

The love you give your footsies and tootsies matters. They can make each step a joy, a chance to look up and around, to be amazed at all you get to see and experience OR they can have you wincing each step counting down to how soon you get to your designation and can make the pain stop.

I know many a hiker that can go a full LDP of 100kms without a single blister – thats the goal!

8 sleeps folks, just 8 short sleeps – England here we come!

Brandé

West Highland Way, Orchy to Kingshouse

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That’s a wrap on Day 6 of 8 on our West Highland Way adventure! What a fantastic day. l love how after a few days into a day after day walking adventure – the trail distances start getting easier and easier. We knocked off 20km in 5 hours when a similar distance days ago was taking the group 10!

We started with a lovely breakfast together, most having a full Scottish or at least something warm/cooked. As folks were ready to go (carry forward bag left in reception, packed lunch tucked away in a rucksack) they started out across the historic Bridge of Orchy.

The path started with a pretty good uphill climb up and up on a single track through forest and then clear cut forest to amazing views.

From there we dropped back down to walk along a tarmac road for about 30mins – where we passed the most energetic and interesting shop owner at the Inveroran Hotel. He was standing outside congratulating us on hitting the 100km mark and suggesting ice cream to celebrate. Everyone who passed had a little bit of a different but still wholly excited experience. Sounds like Cheryl and Charmaine even had the pleasure of hearing play guitar and sing with inside the shop grabbing something.

On the tarmac, we passed a few farms and field. You may get a chance to see some local cows on some of our group’s Instagram accounts – they were next to the fence and so cute. Shortly, we made a quick turn and we’re back in or among the forest to start our very long trek on the Drover’s road where we experienced the life of cattle of old.

Drover’s roads existed (with many still around today and often part of the National trail system) for farmers in the good ole days to drive / walk their cattle to market. There was usually an Inn or hut for the Drover himself to shelter in at night along the route. We saw many of these as ruins but some are still around as Inns, bothies or private homes. We had the chance to have dinner at one, aptly names the Drover’s Inn, a couple days ago.

The actual Drover’s road itself reminds me of a cobblestone concept – rocks of all shapes and sizes across the road way pressed into the dirt to create a ‘road’ that unfortunately is pretty rough under foot. Good luck finding a flat spot to step. You really need to pay attention to each step or risk an ankle roll. We had almost 10km of this surface but the weather was great, not to much for incline or declines, and we had lots of rivers and bridges and the view to keep us entertained.

We had mostly great weather – some threat of rain but it settled itself into mist only and then back to sunshine – making for a great opportunity to take some photos and have a nice long break!

As we got closer to the end of the day, you could really see the view start to change – we were coming across Rannoch Moor with its beautiful expanse of open moorland (heather, grasses, some wild flowers and very very soggy soil without a tree anywhere for the eye to see) and then finally up and up over the shoulder of Bien Chaorach (a small Munro) and we had views of Glen Coe. Wow!

It was not too long from here where we could spot the Glen Coe Ski Resort in the distance and not too much farther the Kingshouse Hotel.

I was really excited to stay at this Hotel again. When I stayed in 2008 it was an oasis in the middle of nowhere after a pretty lonely day on the trail. I literally saw not a soul when I did this section back in 2008 – today we saw 50 people I bet including like full families! I also heard they had put in 12+million pounds to upgrade the place too.

The hotel did not disappoint – what a great place to stay! We met for drinks in the bar, our group growing as folks finished their day. A few took naps and/or met in the hikers bar (a little more our style aka less fancy) for some Quirkle and a pint before our dinner reservation and a much deserved good night’s sleep.

The stats:

  • Trail: West Highland Way, Scotland
  • Day: 6/8 Finished!
  • To/From: Bridge of Orchy / Kingshouse
  • Start/Finish time: 8:30/2:30pm
  • Distance: 20km (19.8km Hiiker)
  • Steps: 27,290
  • Terrain: single track up and up and up to start then down into wide track but like old cobble stone street – hard under foot ,
  • Breaky: full Scottish breakfast
  • Lunch n Snacks: half a chicken sandwich, gummy sharks, chips
  • Dinner: venison pie
  • Pints: 3
  • Tonight’s home: Kingshouse Hotel
  • Mood: smiling
  • Body: feeling great
  • Highlights: chatting and walking w sis
  • Lowlights: spot of rain
  • People of interest: n/a
  • Spontaneous dancing: nope
  • Deep thoughts: in future build a natural rest day into long distance hikes so you can get to know a place

Next up, 14.5km Kingshouse to Kinlochleven .. which includes the stretch of trail called the Devil’s Staircase!

Brande

Speyside Way, Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore

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Day 5 of 5 of Speyside Way is complete with our finish line reached in Aviemore, Scotland!

A pleasantly long 26km trek that included a tea break, a lunch break, fantastic trail, amazing scenery, loads of clouds but not a drop of rain – yahoo us! What an epic finish line day.

We started the day from the oh-so-cute Brooklyn Guest House in Grantown-on-Spey and made quick work to back track the couple of blocks to the Way where we would kick off our day on a forest track. Here we filmed our morning video, made some hot-spot compeed fixes on the feet and I did my usual brace strap adjustment process. Walk 20 steps adjust, walk 30 steps adjust, and then onwards and upwards kinda thing. Let’s go!

The first leg of the trek, a nice 9.3km (according to the trail book) took us to Nethy Bridge where we had our sights on a tea and scone with feet up and shoes and socks off. There is nothing better to a hiker than a mid day break followed by dry feet and socks to kick of the next leg.

The trail was easy going through forest and then onto the grassed-over rail track bed and finally some country roads past the Balliefurth Farm. This farm has a little shop in Nethy (where we were headed) but has been featured on menus where we ate in the last couple of days for their beef and chicken and lamb. I may have eaten their yummy friend at the Speyside Hotel the night prior as my Bangers and Mash entree and was a little worried the cows we passed would know. ‘Hey, that lass ate Barry’ was on the tips of their tongues I know it.

We loved that the Farm had a sense of humor with this sign posted at the first gate …

We did not see Fergus sadly, he is quite shy, but imagined hearing him as the steam train went by whistling it’s whistle. Good fun!

Once in Nethy Bridge, we did enjoy that tea and scone, shoes and socks off break and it was amazing. They may have given me too much cream for my scone but who is complaining!? Also what is too much cream?

From Nethy Bridge we were on our way to Boat of Garten, a further 7.7km away through the Abernathy National Nature Reserve. This may be my favorite section of the entire trail. Quiet forest track, well groomed with bird song all around, and we maybe say a half dozen humans! I like trees more than humans lol. I feel so grateful for the chance to hike these hikes and live this life especially when I am on track like this!

At Boat of Garten, after having our sweet (dessert) in Nethy, we grabbed lunch-lunch. A sandwich and small salad with a half pint. We sat outside in mostly sunshine watching hikers and bikers and steam train passengers bustle past the Hotel patio where we hunkered down. We could have stayed all day especially with a sock change and chance to again air out the feet while eating.

From Boat of Garten we were just 9.1km from our finish line in Aviemore. This too proved to be a fantastic section of trail! More forest track, a bridge tunnel or two, and we were walked pretty much along side or in sight of the Strathspey Railway (the historic steam train) almost the whole way.

Knowing we were in reach of the finish line, even if things hurt on the ole body a bit it was nae bother. The conversation was flowing, there may have been some spontaneous singing once or twice, and loads of laughs!

Coming into Aviemore, we headed for our finish for a ‘for the record’ selfie before heading for a celebration pint!

An amazing walk, no bad days to be honest. The usual up and downs, on trail and in our own heads or bodies, but smiles each day and just an overall sense of gratitude to have had a chance to walk the Spey together.

The stats:

  • Trail: Speyside Way, Scotland
  • Day: 5/5 Finished!
  • To/From: Grantown-on-Spey/Aviemore
  • Start/Finish time: 9:06am/5:59pm
  • Distance: 26.5km trail (28.6km All Trails)
  • Steps: 29,020
  • Terrain: flat mixed with undulating
  • Weather: 14C overcast not rain
  • Breaky: Full Scottish Breakfast sans Haggis and Black Pudding
  • Lunch n Snacks: tea w scone/cream/jam and a Brie bacon sandwich w salad
  • Dinner: noodle soup and a ham/cheese croissant
  • Pints: 1
  • Tonight’s home: Eriksay B&B and Glamping
  • Mood: smiling
  • Body: feet are sorest today, crazy heat rash
  • Highlights: the options to stop for a break
  • Lowlights: nothing open for dinner
  • People of interest: the B&B owner from
  • Brooklyn Guest House, just an amazing women so clearly in the right business
  • Funny bone: learning Rosa sings just as much as me
  • Spontaneous dancing: a wee bit
  • Deep thoughts: why wait, eat the cake first

Now we will take a couple days to try and get rid of the heat rash on both of my feet and under my knee brace, see if I can get the swelling down on my right foot so both feet again have an arch and just be plain old tourists for a day or two. Did someone say steam train?

See you in a couple of days when we kick off the West Highland Way. All 12 of us!

Brande

Excitement or Anxiety or Bit of Both

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In the build to a big trip, or even a small one, sometimes excitement can start to feel a little bit like worry, or nerves or even anxiety. Don’t let this dampen the joy of your pre-departure prep. Instead focus on the things you can control about your adventure to ground any anxious thoughts – what you pack, what you plan, how you prep, etc.

My good friend Niki, trail name Spicy Hobbit (and her rockstar mom) are part of the crew I will be hiking the West Highland Way (WHW) in Scotland with this summer. Their first time in Alba and first time shifting their day hikes into a long distance, 8 day hike. Niki joins us today as our guest blogger sharing her excitement about our adventure …

Scotland! I can’t wait for this trip. Scotland has been at the top of my list of places to go in the world, since I was young. I never in a million years thought I’d be going in this way, to hike the WHW with friends and my 71 yr old mom.

What a way to see a country, I can’t wait to smell the air, see the countryside, look at the trees and sites, take in the history, taste the food, listen to the accent, talk with the people, enjoy the music and drink the whiskey. Not only am I hiking the WHW, my mom and I are going on a wee road trip after the hike. We can’t come all this way to not see where my mom’s family is from.

As soon as the deposit for the hike was put down, the planning was in full gear. First thing that was recommended for me to do was book the places to stay. The hike is being organized and booked by Contours, I have to plan and organize everything mother and I do after the hike. Being summer when we go, most places will be booked. So I researched, wrote, lists, compared prices, checked out locations and details for a month. Next, the car rental. After researching the roads I will be driving, prices, days needed for, pick up and drop off, I settled on a manual, which I haven’t driven in 20 yrs, yes I will be practicing before.

Getting the important things booked for the side trip, I then focused on my backpack. The pack I will take across the pond, carry on the hike and around Scotland. I had to get the right fit because everyone knows size does matter. Once my backpack was purchased I started to make lists of clothing to take and toiletries and extras. I have stuff sacks to keep my clothing organized and tidy. I have been pre packing and continuing to make revised lists. I dont want to take too much or not enough. Plus the excitement of the trip makes me play in my pre packing. Apparently this is stuff you do just weeks before not months, clearly I can’t wait for this trip and want to make sure I have all I need.

I have a book about the WHW and have gone through highlighted things to see along the way, or take note of, where we are walking to or by also taking notes of things to look out for or see along the way, I don’t want to miss anything. I have also done the same for after the hike, of the places my mom and I will be going to. I may be stuffing too much into so few days but I’d rather have a taste of it than not at all!

As we approach the 3 months to go marker, my anxiety and excitement are colliding, am I organized enough, have I prepared all of my essentials, is there much more I can get or do to prepare, are we there yet????

The anticipation is driving me mad, and then I think I hope it doesn’t go too fast? Remember to stop smell, breathe, look and take in the moments.

Niki