Carole and Jenny

Hurray, hurray - Jenny is wearing her shades and Carole has put on suncream!!

We are not having to struggle with Carole’s sauna trousers.  More of that later!!!

We have had some very supportive messages from our relatives in Scotland who are experienced walkers.  They tell us that our alcohol consumption is not only adequate but medicinal and so with this wave of support we are willing to give details of  our alcohol report for last night!!

Jenny - became a real local, ditched the gin and white wine  and enjoyed some cider - the odd half!!!!

Carole, had a diet coke and a coffee, honest Mum.

We met an Anglo French walking group made up of a slightly eccentric, but really lovely Englishman, who now lives in Berwick, his French son-in-law from Normandy ( who works for Airbus, Pete) and his bilingual grandson.  They also had a black labrador called Poppy, who reminded Carole of Monty.   We had a great evening.

This morning after a slap up breakfast, we left at our latest start time of 9.10am. Our boots had been warming overnight by the open fire, what service!

We walked out of Walton into fields of sheep and cows and the odd bull!!  Carole loved to see how fast Jenny could walk with her eyes on the bull at the sametime - saying “is it a cow or is it a bull??”

We then walked through people’s back gardens and into a lovely village called Newtown.  This village was celebrating its annual festival which involved each house creating a scarecrow.  It made Jenny wonder whether Upper Stanley Road might consider changing its Wheelybin competition next year!!!

At this time Jenny had to stop and put on two blister plasters.  The first of the walk for her.  It was also here that Jenny found her perfect retirement home and not to worry David but she has put in an offer!!!

We walked on from here through Oldwall and into the outskirts of Carlisle.  A place called Crosby.  Carole was in dire need of a toilet and we saw the Crosby Lodge Hotel on the map.  We located it and even though it turned out to be a rather splendid Johansson Hotel, Carole still used the facilities.  She sneaked into reception after removing her boots, whilst  Jenny covered the entrance.  We made a fast getaway noticing the CCTV cameras on the way out.  We expect to be on Crimewatch next month.

5 minutes later we found the Stag Inn and stopped for a non alcoholic beverage - honest!!!

We then walked down to the River Eden and followed the path on the river.  We eventually crossed the M6 and headed into Carlisle.  We arrived at our B&B at 2pm ready for a bath and rest, however we were turned away by rather a glum landlord, who refused us entry until 4pm.

We were very hot and tired, as the sun had been shining all day, so Carole set her shopping radar on and we found the shopping area. Carlisle is a very clean and pretty city with lots of flowering bedding plants.  We enjoyed wandering around and made our way back to the B&B for 4pm.

To our annoyance our room had no bath.  The B&B had no baths at all and we were not going to stand for that!! Jenny was on the phone and found another hotel with a bath and bar close by.

We have since relocated and are bathed and barred!!!

We have enjoyed a Mexican meal and are ready for Bedfordshire.

Alcohol Report

We pushed the boat out and enjoyed a few glasses of Sangria.

Foot report

Jenny - she is finally plastered!!!

Carole - perfect.

Cowpat Report

Clear today, but have stepped in enough pig muck on a particular lane en route, which will last us for weeks.  Boots are ponging.

Cream Report

We must say a big thanks to Ailsa who supplied some muscle rub from Body Shop and Janet and Dave for the “LUSH” pied de pepper for our feet.  All have worked wonders.

Sauna Trousers

As mentioned earlier.

We have both purchased waterproof overtrousers, which have proved essential kit.  However Carole has found that sometimes when wearing them she has become a little too steamy and has been forced to remove them mid walk.  Friendship has no greater love than Jenny helping her friend out of her overtrousers in the middle of a cow field, after her friend has trodden in a huge cowpat!!!  Thanks Jen

And finally ……………………..

Once again we have been mightily cheered by all your messages and we approach our final day’s walk in good spirits.  Thank you everyone.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 at 6:32 pm and is filed under Hadrian's Wall - 4th-11th July 2008. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.