Coast to Coast 192 miles trod by my little legs - Yes we made it.

I am a very proud Mum of two great boys Josh (13yrs) and James (9yrs) ((Little Legs)) who completed the C2C in memory of their much loved Nana Nana; even when the going got tough they kept going. Please read on (also see Facebook account by Mountain rescue) for more.

Day 1 Cold, wet & windy start to the walk along St.Bees Head; James hated the road sections up to Cleator(good start!!); a climb up Dent Hill cheered him up with a moor walk to Ennerdale Water with a descend down a very steep path along side a waterfall to the end (19 miles completed)

Day 2 Dry day walk up Ennerdale Valley to Black Sail YHA; coffee break (to be one of many for James) ; steep climb up a flooded Loft Beck path out of the valley; James literally ran down to Honister Hause (7 miles in 2 hours!!). Then we tackled the Via Ferrata Extreme (with Zip wip) climbing back to the summit of Fleetwith.

Day 3 Very wet early start from Rosthwaite (Greenup Gill flooded U turn) ascend Eagle Crag along to Sargeant Crag with James leading his 1st mountain rescue!!!! leading 11 people up and over the fells to Grasmere village. James soliderd on over up the Great Tongue pass Grisedale Tarn into Patterdale. 22 miles and 2 lakeland mountain ranges passed over!

Day 4 Met Snakehead Montain Rescue (see facebook page) Climb up to the Knott (a Wainwright) then along the top ridge above Haweswater and then down to Burnbanks (thanks to the couple how live at the 1st house for donation) onto Rosgill Farm for the night (17 miles)

Day 5 Very wet start to day (with a very wet tent); walk to Shap Abbey; brunch in Shap; then a wet walk to the M6; rain stopped on crossing M6!! then leisurely walk across the moors. Who says the hills stop at the Lakes. 10 miles (short day). I ran down the hill in Orton into Josh (yipee my brother's with us); we all walked into Orton with Nana and Grandad Peter.

Day 6 Dry Start walked with Nana and Grandad Peter for the first 3.5 miles enroute to Kirby Stephen; just as we hit the road the heavens opened (no surprise); walk across fields; down to Smardale Bridge and then across Smardale Fell (some very nosy bullocks).13 miles walked.

Day 7 Boring road walk to the fell to start; climb up to Nine Standards Rigg; then a very wet; boggy walk across the moors; very heavy rain; strongwind and freezing cold for the a hour; then just a persistent drizzle. James took to swimming in the bogs. Josh and James perserved and completed the walk across the bogs; soaked but very happy.

Ravonseat Farm great relief for tea; hot chocolate and cake at the end only 2 miles till Keld. 12 miles walked We are now half way along the C2C.

Day 8 Wet start to the day; dried up by lunch time; weather warning in place; so we kept low and enjoyed the valley route following the River Swale; lunch at Gyhllfoot tearooms (Josh loved his pint of tea) early end to day 3pm in Reeth. 11 miles walked.

Day 9 Dry day at last; heavy rain never hit as expected; but floods and h rain in Richmond  our next destination. Late start to day not helped by Mum's detour up to Grinton and back; we did not fancy swimming the R Swale so headed the mile back to the bridge and found the well hidden footbath. Pleasant and easy walk up and down dale along the course of the River Swale. Met up with a lovely couple an american gentleman and is wife whom was suffering fronm blisters; this was our 2nd meeting our paths are to cross for many days to come. Arrived in Richmond to visit the castle Josh and James ran up the 139 steps to the top of the tower!!! Walked onto Colburn to pitch the tent in Hilyard Arms garden; free camping and great food. Walked 13 miles.

Day 10 Dry again; no facilities at pub in the morning; quick breakfast of ceral before leaving for Lovesome Hill (just beyond Danby Wiske) Thanks to the lady at St Giles farm next to B&B who provided a much needed hot drink. Onto the Roman site of Catterick Bridge and a very busy road to cross; visited the grave of the oldest man to live 200years old; lunch on a old bridge. Then the road walk from hell all 3.5 miles into Danby Wiske not helped by a path blocked by horses; Josh and James loved the mad sheep running wild at West Farm just before DW; smiles back on faces after all the roads. Afternoon tea at B&B at DW then onto Lovesome Farm for the night. 13 miles walked

Day 11 Rest Day! Short walk in heavy rain to Ingleby Arncliffe (7miles in just over 2hrs); Estvale B&B great welcome cream tea on arrival. Dried out and took the bus to Osmotherley; walking back towards Mount Grace Priory. A must for all C2C walkers to visit; Josh and James loved it; enjoying finding out all about how the monks lived; exploring every cell of the ruins. Then walked back in very heavy rain again and ankle deep mud to Ingleby Cross for ameal at the Blue Bell met up with our friends (American and English couple from Sheffield) Total miles covered in day 12 miles

Day 12 Another short day climbed up Beacon Hill; warm day as well as dry things are looking up! ; across Scarth Wood Moor; onto Scugdale; steep climb again onto Round Hill 1025 feet along Carlton Moor ; dropping to Lord Stones Cafe for a couple of hours chilling. Then climb onto Cringle Moor 1427 feet; then a cross country route tackled to Beak Hills Farm. Just a field for the night in the middle of no way; gas failed so evening meal of left over sandwiches; hob knobs and crisps. Mmmmm.  12 miles walked.

Day 13 Warm, dry and sunny day if a little Windy; quickly climbed the Wainstones from the farm; Josh and James (especially James) spent a good hour and a half climbing and scrambling all over the rocks. A descend down followed into Clay Banks; we then climbed out onto CarrRidge and across the moors to Bloworth crossing and the old railway leading to Blakey and the Lion Inn. Pitched the tent on top of the moors and ridge tooked in by a walk out of the worse of the wind. Lovely meal at Blakey Inn maded up for lack of any real food for last 24 hours.  11 miles walked.

Day 14 Greeted by Zero visibility on top the moors; James pulled his 1st pint!! Photograph with friend met walking for the Chrons Society. Due to low cloud damp start across moors eventually descending into Glaisdale (via a path blocked by ferns over my head height; James just vanished); we battled on and eventually escaped into a farmers field and down  to the road into Glaisdale in time for a great lunch at The Arncliffe Arms the best food so far on the C2C. Then  a delightful part of the C2C followed through Arncliffe Woods to Egton Bridge via Stepping Stones to the interesting St Hedda Church and a Goosberry Fair;  then a walk along the River Esk to Grosmont.  13 miles walked.

Evening Steam train ride to Whitby (on the coast); we will make the coast tomorrow. Final meal with friends made on the trip inthe Railway Arms.

Day 15. The last Leg only 16.5 miles to the end. Left Grosmont early; steep climb uponto the moors; more bogs and mud to negiogate before reaching Littlebeck. Followed by a walkthrough Great Wood visiting Foss Falls and tea toom at Midge Hall for morning tea and hot chocolate.  Then crossed Smeaton Moor to reach Hawkser and the Hare and Hounds for refreshment before the final coast walk into Robins Hoods Bay. Last 4 miles along the cliff tops very sunny afternoon; reached Robins Hood bay at 4.15pm. We finished the Coast to Coast all  192 miles from the West to The East.

Yes I am a very proud Mum of 2 great boys Josh(13 years) and James (Little Legs) (9 years) who completed the C2C in memory of their much loved Nana Nana evn when the going got tough they kept on going

Why Mountain Rescue; after walking the West Highland way in 2007 we were nearing the summitt of Ben Nevis a RAF mountain Rescue helicopter circled above us and then landed on top of B Nevis only a training exercise but really exciting end to our climb. Also without the work of the Mountain Rescue which is the emergency service for all those who enjoy the outdoors;  they are on call 24 hours to help those who may get in trouble whilst walking, climbing etc; they give their time for free and do a great job without them many lives would be lost.

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