Day 2: All Hail Black Sail!

Ennerdale Bridge to Seatoller (14 miles)

Today started at Ennerdale Bridge and it was dry, although still no sun.

We walked round the side of Ennerdale Water for about two hours, it was stunning scenery but the cloud was worryingly low.

Dad started explaining to us how brilliant his GPS was and how we would never get lost, we should have touched wood. We got lost (no surprise) and had to do a "Thomas traverse", it was not too bad (unlike recent experiences).

We then slogged our way up the long road through the Ennerdale Forest to the Black Sail Hut Youth Hostel. The walk was so long that we started to think that the hut did not exist but we ate up the miles even though  our feet were on FIRE. Eventually we saw the hut's chimneys over the trees (Mam nearly passed out with happiness). We went into the kitchen and read the note explaining that there was coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cake (yet again Mam nearly passed out). Dad boiled the kettle on the stove and we left the money in the honesty box. We stayed there for 30 minutes and rested our feet.

Then the real climb began. Up, up, and up into the mist (it started to rain again). The mist got do thick that Mam thought we might see Gorillas. The view from the top was similar to the one from Dent yesterday, I could nearly see Pads at the end of the lead. We were joined by some more very friendly coast to coast walkers and began to clamber down to Honester Pass.

At the slate mine we had a cup of tea and walked a couple of miles down the hill to Seatoller and journey's end.

Another 14 miles done and 164 to go (unless Dad's Boy Toy GPS gets us lost again).

Highlight of the day: The hot chocolate at Black Sail Hut!(and at least it was dry ... most of the time)