Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay

Subject: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Alice
Date: 05 Feb 03 - 06:29 PM

A friend of mine (the fiddle player in our band) is planning this summer to travel to England and walk from the Lake District to Robin Hood's Bay. She will be joining Mudcat soon, and I hope there will be UK Mudcatters who can give her advice and information. Here's another chance for UK Mudcatters to meet a US Mudcatter.

Alice

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Willa
Date: 05 Feb 03 - 06:36 PM

Hi Alice.
Don't know what dates she's working to, but the Whitby festival is August 16th-22nd, and there are events in Robin's Hood Bay each afternoon.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Feb 03 - 06:48 PM

I think that once I got to Robin Hood's Bay, I should have nver left. What a lovely place!
(although I sure love it here in the Sierra foothills)
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: RWJ
Date: 05 Feb 03 - 07:01 PM

The walk is called the coast to coast guide books are out there I will come back with more info , dont know of music on rout

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: BanjoRay
Date: 05 Feb 03 - 07:39 PM

This is a superb walk with a wonderful guidebook by the late A.W.Wainwright - printed in his own handwriting with pen and ink maps and sketches. I've walked many of the individual bits of the walk, but never done it all in one go - I probably never will, now (too busy playing the banjo!). There's an account of someone else's completion of the walk here, with lots of useful information.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 05 Feb 03 - 07:39 PM

The route was devised by A Wainwright and is/was published by Michael Joseph of London. ISBN 0 7181 4072 9. the publisher is about to discontinue these books so buy as soon as possible. The route starts at St Bees Head in Cumbria and traverses the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales National Park and North York Moors National Park
I would like to do this route myself but to do 190 miles will take a little building up to.
There are companies however that will ferry bulky equipment from one destination to the next which may be valuable to someone coming from abroad who does not want to carry their entire load..
If I can be of further help, please let me know.

Good Luck

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Alice
Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:01 PM

Do we have many Mudcatters living near the route?

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Greycap
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 03:02 AM

I'm not on the route, but a little South at a place called Harrogate. If we can help.....

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: fat B****rd
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 03:22 AM

If you get to Robin Hood's Bay you might get really nosey and find The Carthy-Waterson house !!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: smallpiper
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 06:27 AM

Hey if we can have the dates of her travel and expected arrival in Robin Hoods Bay we could arrnage a session for her. There are plenty of catters in easy travel distance who I'm sure would relish an excuse for a session in the bay.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Bagpuss
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 06:45 AM

Robin Hood's Bay Folk Weekend
6th - 8th June 2003.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Grab
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 07:40 AM

I did that walk about 8 years back. It's a good route. I had a first go at it the previous year, but I picked up a stomach bug and had to drop out just after Shap.

First off, buy the Wainwright book - it goes into more detail than the OS maps, and has interesting info about the places you're walking past. Second off, DON'T just rely on the Wainwright book to guide you, as it is sometimes unclear and may be out-of-date. This is mainly the case for the section through the Lake District, where it's quite easy to pick the wrong path. Most of the rest of it you can get away without OS maps, but it's *essential* to get the maps for the Lake District. There's one bit in particular for going up to Grizedale Hause (between Helvellyn and St Sunday Crag) which is very poorly laid-out in the book, which caused me to take the wrong turning the first time I tried the walk. Remember that this is an "unofficial" walk, ie. there is no-one who officially has to label the route unlike "official" UK paths like the Pennine Way, and it doesn't have the same support as some of the Trails do in the States. As Raggytash says, the book is about to go out of print so grab a copy quickly.

Tthe Ordnance Survey maps (the standard government-produced maps) are very good and can be relied on 100%, which according to Bill Bryson isn't the case with US maps! The best choice is usually the 1:50,000 series, which cover the ground in pretty good detail without getting bogged down in it. The 1:25,000 series tries to show walls and fences and stuff as well, but this tends to change and make the map obsolete, which screws up your route-finding, besides being at such a scale that you need to refold the map every hour or so which is a total pain in the arse. The UK is pretty well covered with footpaths, and the terrain can often be difficult if you leave the paths (besides getting angry farmers on your tail!) so try to stick to the paths.

One of the problems with the walk is that the toughest section is the bit through the Lakes, and that comes first! :-( The first day from St Bees to Ennerdale isn't too strenuous, but after that it gets more difficult. So do at least get yourself fit before you start.

Make sure you've got YHA membership. Youth Hostels are vital for getting clothes dried and regrouping, if it turns out to be a wet walk. If you've got more money then B&Bs will serve the same purpose, but they won't have the same "community" feeling of Youth Hostels - you often meet up with other walkers, which is nice.

Unofficial campsites are usually cheaper and more fun than the official ones. You'll sometimes find ads pinned to trees as you approach towns/villages, or see signs when you get to the villages. Often pubs will let you put your tent up in their back garden. The OS maps show official campsites, and you can also get guidebooks of British campsites which are useful. IIRC the campsites on the last third or so are awkwardly spaced, so you tend to have to either do several short days or a fewer very long ones.

If you can spare the time and your legs will take it, go up Helvellyn on the way. It's a helluva trek up Dollywagon Pike to the top of Helvellyn, but it's a great view. You can then (carefully!) go down Striding Edge, which is one of the classic British ridge-walks. Unfortunately I did this in Easter and it snowed pretty comprehensively the week before. I made it up Dollywagon OK, but Striding Edge and Swirral Edge were impassable sheets of ice! :-( It'll be fine in summer though. Do be warned that Striding Edge is a bit of a scramble, so if you're not 100% confident with a big pack on your back then maybe avoid this. It's easier to do this if you wild-camp at the top of Grizedale Hause, but wild-camping is generally frowned upon by the Park authorities, especially in summer when the idiots turn out in force.

There's a valley in the middle which is 30-ish miles of boring flatlands. This is a fast but tedious day of lowland walking on paths and roads - as Wainwright says, just get it over with quickly.

Oh, and don't forget the free half-pint (courtesy of Wainwright) at the pub in Robin Hood's Bay! It used to be a pint (as a challenge, he said when he originally published the route that anyone doing this deserved a pint on him! :-) but it was costing him too much money when the route took off in popularity!

I can try and dredge my memory for more useful info if you like. If you've got any specific questions, fire away.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Noreen
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 07:56 AM

There are plenty of catters in easy travel distance who I'm sure would relish an excuse for a session in the bay.
Yes, smallpipes, and some catters not in easy travel distance too!

Robin Hood's Bay is one of my favourite places in the world; I thought you'd love it, Joe!

Lots of catters who may be not exactly on the route, Alice, but not far off it, including me. Let's know more about your friend's plans and we'll surely arrange something.

Noreen

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,The Fantum
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 07:57 AM

I live at Guisborough which is 30 west of Robin Hoods Bay and some 12 north of the coast to coast walk at its closest point.
If you want information about the North Yorks Moors end of the walk let me know.
Pubs, Folk Clubs, places to stay, sights local interest and so on let me know and we can arrange to get you the information.
The interesting point is there is a F C at Robin Hoods Bay every Friday night in the Dolphin Hotel

The Fantum

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Smallpiper -missplaced cookie
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 09:03 AM

Noreen I was basing my "withing easy travel distance" on the idea that any where withing the UK is within easy travel distance of anywhere else in the UK as compared to the US

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Alice
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 09:25 AM

Hey, Fantum, my grandmother was born in Guisborough. I wish I could go on this tour with my friend Antonia.   

Smallpiper, you are right about relative distance. There is a hammered dulcimer player who drives from a town 158 km away to attend our session.

Antonia has joined the Mudcat and will probably post to this thread as plans develop.

Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Noreen
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 09:27 AM

Fairy nuff.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 07:04 PM

Worth using the Coast to Coast Packhorse. They run a bus which picks up baggage each day and takes you back at the end of the walk. They will also book accomodation for you.

http://www.cumbria.com/packhorse/

Enjoy the walk.

Andy

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 05:00 AM

check out bunkhouses along the route. these are similar to the YHA hostels but you do not need to be a member. The site is " the independant backpackers hostel" or something .if I find it I will Post again.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Sibelius
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 07:04 AM

I'm sure there's an Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 map of the whole route, laid out in sections.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: BanjoRay
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 08:01 AM

Stirling Surveys make a pair of Footprint maps that cover the whole route as a long thin strip. I used their pennine way map and found it excellent. They also make the event maps for the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon - they know what they're doing.

Waterproof - £4.50
Coast to Coast West (St Bees to Swaledale) ... ISBN 1 871149 63 0
Coast to Coast East (Swaledale to Robin Hood's Bay) ... ISBN 1 871149 64 9
Stirling Surveys
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: BanjoRay
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 08:17 AM

Actually it looks like the map I mentioned is a brand new one, not out until the end of March. Even better.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 08:18 AM

True there is a (very Friendly) Folk Club at the Dolphin on Friday night, true the Hosts of the Dolphin Dave and Ellen are great .............True the Folk Club smells like a chippy because it also doubles as the restaurant until they stop serving food. It also gets very crowded, a mixture of folkies and diners who remarkably get on very well together. If you want a comfartable seat get there early.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Les from Hull
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 12:54 PM

Actually the fish 'n' chips in there are pretty good. Don't just smell 'em!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: nutty
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 05:33 PM

Folk Club in Whitby (just down the road) on Wed. evening and session Sunday evening.

Folk Club at Mickleby (15 miles) on Saturday nights. Lift to the club for free if you stay B&B with the club organisers. PM me for details.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: nutty
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 05:37 PM

Link to website of White Hart Folk Club, Mickleby

White Hart FC

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Bardford
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 05:48 PM

I might be a little off the path here, but a geographical query - does this walk go anywhere near Orton?

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From:
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 06:54 PM

Give me a shout if she's planning a session in Bay...

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Alice
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 01:15 AM

This information is very helpful. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 02:55 PM

Hi all,
Thank you so much for all the advice and encouragement! I am making lists and ordering maps and trying to figure out all the gear I'll need, so all the suggestions have been helpful. Can I maybe get a picture of the weather in this region from June through September? I'm still unsure of the dates (based on work), but by the sounds on all the fesitvals and whatnot in Robin Hood's Bay in June, I'm hoping to shoot for that.
Thanks again,
Antonia

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Alice
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 03:06 PM

Welcome to the Mudcat, Antonia. It is good to see that you have arrived!

Alice

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Les from Hull
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 03:56 PM

You could hardly have had a better welcome to Mudcat, Antonia.

June's good for music but August (Whitby Folk Week 16th-22nd) is even bigger and better. Certainly the biggest Folk Event in the area, with anything you could wish for. Whitby is a short bus ride (buses every 2 hours, I think) from Robin Hood's Bay - or a very nice walk. Several of your compatriots have experienced Whitby Folk Week and are usually planning return visits.

The weather thoughout the June to September period is what we like to call 'variable'. It could do anything except (probably) snow! But at least the rain is usually warm. Anyway, the Whitby area seems to have its own weather system and rarely conforms to what the rest of the country is doing.

When you know your dates, come back here to Mudcat and your new friends will be glad to let you know what is happening at that time.

Les

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Tig
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 05:28 PM

Fantum, The Badger and I will be in Guisborough one day next week visiting Magician and Gillie. We might already know each other and fancy meeting up for a drink :-)!

Join and PM me!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 12:21 AM

Wow Antonia! You are sure an inspiration to me... I went walking today up a nearby mountain, and I had all but forgotten how much I love to get out and hoof it... What a great idea! Whitby has been mentioned so many times, that I'm certain it would be a fine crecendo for a once in a lifetime trip! Good luck, and happy trails! ttr

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,The Fantum
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 04:52 AM

Tig, Badger, Magician and Gillie
It is inconceivable that we don't know of each other. Folking is not so big in the area that four of us are strangers.
What night what pub?
Lets see who is who
I do comrade olga and my name above is descriptive

The Fantum

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 06:36 AM

Antonia,
Whitby Folk Week is the biggest, best, most beautiful festival in the UK season (apolgies to those who prefer Sidmouth) It starts this year on Saturday 16th of August and continues until Friday 22nd August. There are about 800 hours of organised events ranging from Street Threatre and Morris Dancing through every type of Britsh Folk music, please note it is British and not world music, a point the organisers stress.
The events take place in numerous venues round the seaside tourist/fishing port. It is still a working town in many ways with a fascinating ecclesiastical history, the date of Easter was decided here at the Synod of Whitby in 665 AD. Captain Cook discovery/ explorer sailed from here .............I could go on.
In addition to the organised events at the folk week there is also the "fringe" which are free events which probably outnumber the festival itself, starting in small ways on the preceding Thursday and often lasting until the Sunday afterwards.
There are loads of catters go to the festival who will gladly show you round ...........keep in touch with us all

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 08:07 AM

Antonia,
Me again, hope I don't upset anyone in Robin Hoods Bay with this, but the festival, which I attend every year (cept last cos my beloved was ill)is a tiny event. Two venues, one in a hall another in the Dolphin are great as far as they go, but please do not get the impression that this is a major festival, it's not. It's a very pleasant gathering and the "Bay" is beautiful. During Whitby Folk Week, see my earlier thread, they have "half a day at the Bay" for either 4 or 5 days when artists from the main festival go down the 5 miles to R H B and perform in the Dolphin. Local telephone number of the Dolphin which may prove useful to you is 01947 880 337 (Is that international 00 44 1947 880 337)
Hope you have a great time whenever you go

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: John J
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 08:28 AM

Yes, the walk does go through Orton.
I'm fairly sure there's an accommodation guide for the C to C route. We stopped at some tremendous places some years back, even having a sing at one of the pubs in the North York Moors. I can't recall the place name, but it's at a point where the route crosses a railway which should help narrow it down.

John

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Hamish
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 08:28 AM

Superb walk. At 190 miles, it's a perfect length for a fortnight's holiday. If you're fit before you start! There's a longish day in the middle which has very few places to stay, and requires about 24 miles of level walking - that's a toughie. If you're not purist about doing it all in one stretch you could do well to miss that bit out (i.e. take a bus or taxi). But the Lakes are superb, and the Clevelands were quite a revalation to me.

Striding Edge (coming down off the top of Helvellyn) is a bit tricky - it's a fairly serious bit of what we call scrambling (i.e. not really rock climbing, but you do need to use all four limbs to manage it) but well worth it.

I did it about 15 years ago in September and had two weeks of non-stop sunshine - so that helped, but nevertheless do it!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 03:46 PM

August is sounding better with my schedule anyway; a good excuse to miss the wretched (albeit brief) Montana heat, and what great fun it would be to see the Whitby festival! I will have to work out bringing my violin, food and clothing and gear are already going to be a lot to pack...
And as for being an inspiration Thomas, I thank you, though I'm anything but, it takes much to convince me to walk 10 blocks in the weather we're having now! Most of my training is indoors for the time being, so in that I admit that I'm a bonafide wuss. If I can stick to the training plan, I might make it to Robin Hood's Bay without completely giving up the ghost when I stick my boots in.
In that vein, any advice for training, all those hardier than me with a few moderate distances under their belts?
Thanks so much again, it feels great to be a part of this community.
Antonia
:)

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: nutty
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 04:44 PM

HI Antonia ...... using the 'images' search in Google might give you an idea of what you are taking on.

Feast your eyes on the finishing post here .....
Robin Hood's Bay

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: BanjoRay
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 07:03 PM

Indoor training won't do it - get out with a map and compass as often as you can and walk a lot, practicing and honing your navigation skills. Build up from say 5 miles to 15 in a day, to the extent that 15 steady miles doesn't wear you out. The first couple of days of a long distance walk are never too much bother, but after that the quality of your training really starts to tell. Put your wuss uniform into a cupboard till it's over - go for it!
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: John J
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 01:59 PM

Re: your fiddle, why not see if any 'catter is going to Whitby festival and leave the fiddle with them to bring along. I'd offer, but I can't do Whitby this year.
You might find some C-C relevant stuff on: www.ldwa.org.uk and also on the Backpacker's club website (I don't have the address to hand).
I'm a member of both and can thoroughly recommend them.

Good luck!

John

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Willa
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 05:35 PM

Thanks for the pics, Nutty; I love the Nycam 030400 ones. Must do that walk one day!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Hamish
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 03:02 AM

"Most of my training is indoors for the time being"??? Ummm... I don't mean to be discouraging, but that's not ideal. Some of the days will involve a bit of a grunt (technical term for steep climbs). The best you will manage to average on most days will be 2 miles per hour: and on difficult terrain it'll drop to 1.5: so you could find yourself working pretty hard for 7 to 8 hours per day to cover the required distance. As BanjoRay says - you need to get out on real ground with close to realistic conditions (i.e. some luggage, some hills, rough ground, longish days) and do a couple of full weekends. With suitable fitness levels you'll have a great time; without, you could get seriously miserable.

Good luck! (But you can help that luck along a bit by preparation!)

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:48 AM

Antonia,
Whitby is very busy during Folk Week and accommodation will be hard to find. Are you camping, Youth Hostelling or Bed & Breakfast. If you let me community know I am sure someone can help you find a place to rest your weary head after a days singing, playing & drinking. (Poke your head into the Plough or the Black Horse as well as numerous other venues to find sessions. If camping Stoupo Cross the nearest site to town, it is normally packed over the first weekend but slackens off after that. The owners tend to give up collecting rent after they've handed out all their keys to the shower/toilet block !!
Cheers
Raggytash

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 08:54 AM

Nice images of Robin Hood's Bay, Nutty.

I have wondered about this thread for some time without bothering to read it through. But that was probably because I grew up in a small coastal village in Maine on the shores of Robinhood Cove. We were always told that the Cove was named in honor of a local Indian chief who's real name no one troubled to pronounce. But maybe there was a deeper connection among the early English settlers to your Robin Hood's Bay. I don't suppose any of old Benjamin Rigg's family still lives there? He was our village founder, shipowner and dockmaster, and we've always wondered what dreadful deed he had done before he settled here.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, whose family farm is still on Robinhood Cove

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Mar 03 - 05:33 PM

Must have been a major scandel. Their lips are still sealed!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: gnomad
Date: 12 Mar 03 - 02:39 PM

Charley Noble: Local phone book shows only 3 Riggs, all in Scarborough rather than RH Bay.

I'll have a go at a clicky for the Whitby Gazette site, this local paper covers the Bay and could be the place for an appeal for info if you want to try it.

Whitby Today

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Mar 03 - 10:43 PM

Thanks, Gnomad. There's no telling what old bones I'll stir up.

3 Riggs in Scarborough ain't so bad. Good enough for opening verse:

I was up to the Riggs,
Down to the jiggs,
Up to the Riggs in Scarborough Town!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 30 Mar 03 - 07:25 PM

Hmmmm... I submitted a thread a few weeks ago and it didn't get posted. Oh well.
You are right Ray and Hamish -- I need to get outside. When I've been out on walks lately I notice that the gym training is not enough to carry me longer distances. So when it's over 35-40F or so I will head for the hills; it's so hard to get up the motivation when it's
-7F with wind chill...
Thanks for the tips Raggytash and John, great idea about the fiddle transport as I was dreading that! I will be camping or hostelling due to lack of $$, and have an inquiry in to H.I. for all the sites along the route; apparently they have some sort of unofficial guide to hostelling the C2C.
Query to anyone who's done this walk: Was there gear you REALLY needed and didn't have along the trail? Anything you'd consider vital, beyond the basic sleeping bag, boots, etc? I'm assuming all that would be the same here, I'll be doing a few practice packs in the Gravelley and Spanish Peaks ranges before I go so I should be able to whittle it down to the bare bones, but any advice would be welcome.
Thanks again to everyone,
Antonia

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 02:39 AM

Diod you manage to get a Wainwright book, if not I will try and find one and post it over the pond.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 07 May 03 - 09:44 AM

Antonia,
I'm not a home at the moment so cannot access my messages, The Coast to Coast book by Alfred Wainwright, who devised the walk, is going to be reprinted in June, should be available by about the 26th. I may be able to trace a copy before then, but if not will this date be OK for you or will you be in England by then. All books have a ISBN number the number for this book is 0711 222 363 and the cost is £11.99.
Let me know when you are thinking of coming over

Cheers

Raggytash

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Noreen
Date: 07 May 03 - 10:11 AM

They're already available, I've seen them in Waterstones in Manchester, Raggy.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Bagpuss
Date: 07 May 03 - 10:17 AM

Antonia - re essential walking equipment. The only thing that springs to mind is to make sure you have a good breathable waterproof jacket. The weather can change so quickly in the lakes, even in the middle of the summer, so you need to be prepared for the famous Cumbrian rain.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: John J
Date: 07 May 03 - 11:04 AM

Antonia-You'll need your usual back-packing kit.

Apart from the obvious, I take:

Down Sleeping bag (light & warm)
Sleeping bag liner....I think this important, especially after a week!
Self-inflating airbed (lightweight luxury: a comfy night's sleep)
Waterproof (breathable) socks (I use Porelle Dries) for occasional use
LED head torch
Waterproof overtrousers (Don't waste money on breathable stuff)
Waterproof top (DO spend money on breathable stuff)
Hat...I use a Lowe Alpine hat, it's light, warm and waterproof
Gloves, you may want to consider waterproof overmitts too.
Water carrier
Water purification stuff. English lake / river water can be fairly clean, but you never know! I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Toilet roll + a small lightweight trowel.
Map & Compass, and know how to use them. Forgive me for preaching, but so many people go up into the hills with map & compass and don't have the first idea how to navigate.
It's probably worth getting hold of at least one of the Ordnance Survey maps for the route so you can get familiar with them. I'll let you know the details of all the maps if you don't know.

What sort of cooker do you use? Various types of fuel are available on the route, but if you've got an odd-ball stove you may be in trouble. Let me know and I'll check it out for you.

The route is fairly well way-marked generally (with little 'CC' signs), but there are times when it's downright confusing!

Do you have an idea of how long you want to take doing the route? I'll give you some idea of stopping places & walking times which may help.

If you want to email me: [e-mail] or just PM me. I've got the Wainwright book, all the maps, I think I've got an accommodation guide somewhere.

The C-C is a very sociable walk. There will be loads of others walking it at the same time as you, some at similar pace, some faster, and many slower.

Cheers,

John

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 07 May 03 - 11:26 AM

Noreen, They must still have old stock, the information I put on was gleaned from Ottakars Bookshop less than a hour previous, the staff showed me the promotional poster etc

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: smallpiper
Date: 07 May 03 - 07:25 PM

Give us the dates you are coming over and I'm sure that some one will pick up your fiddle and any extra stuff you bring and will transport said stuff to Whitby for you.

Oh and a mobile phone would be a usefull piece of equipment to bring along (just incase).

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Grab
Date: 07 May 03 - 08:38 PM

Hmm, didn't notice you'd asked for more info in March, Antonia. If you're not used to walking, the first few days will be an eye-opener! Luckily the Lake District has a lot of shops for walkers, so if you find you're missing something important then you should be OK.

John's advice is pretty good. I disagree on the non-breathable overtrousers though - I don't like getting sweaty bits! ;-) Cheap breathable ones cost so little more that it's not a big deal, and overtrousers wear out fast so they're basically disposable anyway, so no point getting expensive ones.

On a safety issue, I have to disagree about way-marking and maps too. The Lake District section is quite badly way-marked in places so it's damn near essential to have maps of that bit. Besides missing the way-markings, there's also the issue of what to do if things go wrong and you need an escape route - even though the Lake District seems fairly tame, it's amazing how many people get into trouble through not being prepared for things going wrong. IIRC two 1:50,000 OS maps cover the important bits there, so it's not a major outlay. And if you're not in a hurry then you could stop an extra day somewhere like Grasmere or Patterdale and check out some hills off the route using the maps. Or that Stirling Survey map may be an OK alternative.

Stove-wise, you can get piercable Camping Gaz cylinders in just about any hardware store, and resealable ones are common now too. As John says, other gas cartridges can be a bugger to find. You might be better buying a cheap stove in the UK instead. Remember that airlines won't let you transport gas canisters or fuel.

A tent is obviously essential (unless you're stopping in hotels/B&Bs all the way). You don't need to spend a fortune, but if you can get a better one then it'll be an investment bcos it'll last. For long-distance walking, the best type are ones which rig outer first, so you don't get the inner tent soaked when you're pitching the tent in the rain. Don't forget to bring spare pegs.

More important than the brand of tent though is the ability to pitch it properly. Practise repeatedly until you can do it without any problems every time, and make sure there's no flapping canvas anywhere. Try going out into the country and pitching it on some typical rough ground to see how to adjust it for uneven ground or slopes. Put it up in the rain and see what short-cuts you can use to get yourself waterproof quicker. Lean on it from all directions to see which way it's not braced properly and may need an extra guy-rope (this advice would have saved me a very wet 3am incident when I found my brand-new Jack Wolfskin tent collapsed if the wind came from the wrong direction. Was I a happy camper? Not very!).

For emergency running repairs, don't forget a pack of needles, thimble and *strong* thread, and some Duck tape. The Duck tape is obviously to patch tent drips for comfort. The needle and thread though will allow you to keep going after major gear failure, like a peg point pulling out of your tent or one of the buckles snapping on your rucksack (both of which have happened to me in the same trip!) They're light, so it's easier to carry them than not to. The thimble doesn't seem obvious until you're trying to force a needle through four thicknesses of webbing tape, when you'll hate yourself for leaving it out. Once bitten and all that, I now tend to carry a spare rucksack shoulder-strap buckle as well, since it's light and it's easier to have than not.

On a running-repairs theme, two spare pairs of strong bootlaces. Besides tying your boots, you can use them to patch up guy ropes, tie stuff to your rucksack, temporary washing line, etc. And on the theme of washing, don't forget when you're walking that a rucksack has loads of places to tie stuff, which is great for drying your washing on sunny days.

Tin opener (unless you have a magic knife that does it) - there are few things more irritating to forget. BTW, tinned food is heavy but it's very convenient and it usually tastes OK too. Dehydrated food is only appetising for gerbils.

Feel free to PM me if you want any more info.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Hamish
Date: 08 May 03 - 03:22 AM

Umm... I'm sceptical about all this camping and cooking gear which is being suggested. It all adds significant weight which for an inexperienced walker could make what should be a fun walk into a gruelling endurance test. There are plenty of Youth Hostels and B&Bs (except for a little bit in the middle) and this can help keep the amount of gear needed down to a minimum. But you do still need some survival gear cos as has been noted, it can get inclement up there, even in mid-summer.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,súilóir
Date: 08 May 03 - 04:40 AM

re Lake District, take a look at "Hiking trails with silver linings" currently on line at www.nytimes.com (you'll need to register, no charge)

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,rob wright
Date: 09 May 03 - 04:41 AM

travel light, travel fast.
travel fast ,travel light.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: John J
Date: 09 May 03 - 04:45 AM

Very true Rob!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST
Date: 09 May 03 - 04:52 AM

I suggest starting at the Roman port of Ravensglass, and heading up the Hardknot pass (Roman Fort)    One hotel I highly recomend is the Wild Boar Inn. The Swan is worth a luncheon too. Have fun and enjoy.
http://www.best-hotel.com/lakedistrict_onlinereservations.html

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 09 May 03 - 08:03 AM

If you follow guests suggestion above you can cheat a bit by going up on the "Lal Ratty" (Ravenglass miniature Railway) which will take you most of the way up. As an ex Lakelands Mountain Rescuer can I advise you? Make really sure you don't overdo it. Have a working torch, a whistle a map and a compass with you at all times. A survival blanket, plenty of Mars bars or mintcake and a first aid kit are also pretty essential. Good boots (properly walked-in) will be a blessing. Even in high summer you will need waterproofs.

Most of all keep someone informed of your routes and arrival times. If you go missing the Lakes and the Penines are hundreds of square miles to have to look for you in.

Good luck and do enjoy some of the finest walking in England.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 03 - 12:03 AM

Thank you so very much, I am finding this all quite helpful. Have been practicing pitching and repitching (and repitching) the tent, that was a great suggestion; this morning I got to practice in 5 inches of SNOW, so everything from now on should be a cakewalk. As to the weight I will be keeping it down as much as possible (though have not yet resorted to chopping off the handle of my toothbrush, or similar). I will be making my tickets next week, and am aiming to be in St. Bees by August 1st at the latest. I am unaware of Ravenglass, must dig out my map... And although I will camp some to keep the cost down, I did get a current book on hostels, and will probably have a hard time not talking myself into that option more often than planned. As for a mobile phone, forgive the ignorance, but will a phone from here work in England, or would I purchase one there? I would greatly appreciate a transport for my fiddle, the thought of spending 191 miles with it...
I'll sign on again in a week with firm dates, thank you all so much again for your advice and encouragement, it has kept me from giving up the idea as hairbrained many times over :)

-Antonia

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Raggytash
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 09:26 AM

Antonia,
I went to the bookshop today to check on the impending arrival of the new edition of Wainswrights Coast to Coast Guide. I have now been informed that the publishing date has been put back to September, after you will have completed the walk.
However, Noreen who post threads on Mudcat, and who I know to be very helpful, said on an earlier thread that she has seen one in Manchester.
If you still want it, it may be possible for us to get together and get a copy to you.
Cheers

Raggy

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 25 Jun 03 - 09:33 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: John J
Date: 25 Jun 03 - 11:20 AM

I've got a copy, if you PROMISE to look after it you're most welcome to borrow it. The only problem you may have is that over the years footpaths are closed / diverted, errors are discovered in the book etc. My copy's about 10 years old and will no doubt have uncorrected errors in it. If the copy that Noreen has seen is still available it may be more up to date (less out of date?) and therefore a better bet.

Probably better still: the Ordnance Survey produce a 2.5" 'strip' map that covers the entire route. It shows something like a mile or so each side of the route so should be more useful than a potentially out of date guide book.

I probably still got the C to C accomodation guide, but that will be equally out of date and worse than useless. A search on the web may come up with a source for a current guide.

John

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: MudGuard
Date: 25 Jun 03 - 11:32 AM

Antonia,

you might even have the chance of meeting a German MudCatter!

I am cycling in Lake District at the beginning of August and on to Whitby for the festival...

MudGuard/Andy

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: John J
Date: 25 Jun 03 - 12:17 PM

Hi Andy,

If you have half an idea where / when you are going to be, let me know.....I'll be walking the Cumbria Way.

John

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: MudGuard
Date: 25 Jun 03 - 01:38 PM

John, my plans are so far:
26th/27th July: Manchester
28th/29th July: Liverpool
30th July - ... 3rd/4th or 5th August: Isle of Man
after that: up to the Lake district
around 16th August: arrival in Whitby
21st August: Kingston
22nd August: some place between Kingston and Manchester...
23rd August: Manchester
24th August: Munich :-(
25th August: back at work :-( :-( :-(

But: except for the first few days and the last two nothing is really fix (might have problems with the bike or whatever)

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Noreen
Date: 25 Jun 03 - 06:06 PM

Andy, if I may make a point please?

Hull is only known by its formal name (Kingston-upon-Hull) on Sundays.
As you are intending to visit midweek, etiquette demands that you refer to that famed fair city as Hull.

Thank you.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Les from Hull
Date: 25 Jun 03 - 06:14 PM

Excuuuuuse me, but it's Kingston upon Hull (none of them poncey hyphens for us). It's fine to call it Hull (pronounced 'ull).

Les from Kingston (oops!)

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Noreen
Date: 25 Jun 03 - 08:13 PM

I stand corrected. I can only blame my current position in a boys' Independent school- I've never SEEN so many b****y hyphens in my life!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: MudGuard
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 03:13 AM

Sorry if I offended anyone ;-)

As I wasn't sure whether it is Hull9, 'ull, Kingston, Kingston-upon-Hull, Kingston upon Hull, Kingston on Hull or 8Hull9 or whatever, I just randomly selected one of the possible versions... ;-)

Btw, I looked on my map today (Thursday), and it gives the full name of Kingston upon Hull - so something must be wrong with that Sunday theory... ;-)

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Grab
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 08:55 AM

Re borrowing a copy of the Wainwright book, you can nab mine if you need to. It's a bit mudstained from my trip, so you wouldn't need to worry as much about taking good care of it. :-) It's 9 years old though, so as John says, there may have been changes in the route since then. This is why it's a good idea to have OS maps of the route, so you can see which footpaths you're supposed to be using.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 02:59 AM

Hi all,
Have been having quite the caucauphony of computer problems of late, but am back online now. And, with actual plane tickets and a gelling itinerary, at that. If this new good computer karma holds i'll be back tomorrow with details and replies.
Ciao,
Antonia

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 01:06 PM

I found a book!! At the most unlikely place, at the bottom of a discount barrel at a used bookstore! How's that for good karma. Thanks to all who offered loans and searches.
Ok, here's the basic plan, though I do have some dickering room if there are suggestions for something different:

July 25th - arrive in London (Gatwick), plan now is to stay in
            London for 2 days but could change that
July 28th - Travel up to St. Bees, spend that night and the 29th there
July 30th - begin walk, night in Ennerdale Bridge
July 31st - Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite
August 1st - Rosthwaite to Grasmere
August 2nd - Grasmere to Patterdale
August 3rd - Patterdale to Shap
August 4th - Shap to Newbiggin-on-Lune
August 5th - Newbiggen-on-Lune to Keld
August 6th - spend in Keld
August 7th - Keld to Reeth
August 8th - Reeth to Richmond
August 9th - Richmond to Ingleby Cross
August 10th - Ingleby Cross to Clay Bank Top
August 11th - Clay Bank Top to Blakey
August 12th - Blakey to Glaisdale
August 13th - Glaisdale to Grosmont
August 14th - Grosmont to Robin Hood's Bay, stay till the 16th
August 16th - up to Whitby, stay through the 20th
August 20th - meander up to Edinburgh over 1 or 2 days
August 24th - meander back down towards London, will probably pass
             through Oxford to visit a friend, must be in London by
             the 31st, so have a lot of leeway here
August 31st - London
September 2nd - leave for the States

If there are any suggestions for stops or deviations I'd love to get them, though I will have all reservations at hostels, etc. done by Friday so will be pretty much set after that. One place I would like to see (as a former organic farmer) is Highgrove, but it is not in my guidebook so would like some advice re where it is and how best to get there.
I'll look for you Andy, I'm a biker myself (and will probably be wondering on the 3rd day of walking why I don't have mine with me), though it sounds like you'll be on the Isle when i'm in St. Bees.

Antonia

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 01:27 PM

Sorry for taking up space; once I entered that I realized it didn't fit with the itinerary I already made up for myself, so here are the revisions:

July 25th - arrive in London
July 28th - Travel to St. Bees
July 30th - begin walk, night in Ennerdale Bridge
July 31st - Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite
August 1st - Rosthwaite to Grasmere
August 2nd - Grasmere to Patterdale
August 3rd - Patterdale to Shap
August 4th - Shap to Newbiggin-on-Lune
August 5th - Newbiggen-on-Lune to Kirkby Stephen
August 6th - Kirkby Stephen to Keld
August 7th - Keld to Reeth
August 8th - Reeth to Richmond
August 9th - spend in Richmond
August 10th - Richmond to Ingleby Cross
August 11th - Ingleby Cross to Clay Bank Top
August 12th - Clay Bank Top to Blakey
August 13th - Blakey to Glaisdale
August 14th - Glaisdale to Grosmont
August 15th - Grosmont to Robin Hood's Bay, stay till the 16th
August 18th - up to Whitby, stay through the 21st
August 21st - meander to Edinburgh
August 25th - meander towards London
August 31st - London
September 2nd - leave for the States

-A

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Noreen
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 02:01 PM

Sounds wonderful, Antonia, hope all goes well!

Hope you realise that 16th-20th when you're in Whitby, is Whitby festival week? Will be lovely to meet up with you there (MudGuard will be there too, and many other catters) and you'll have a great time, but accomodation in the area is generally fully booked well in advance.


Ask for Mudcatters in the Tap 'n' Spile front room that week- I'll be singing there & will have my Mudcat badge on. MudGuard is 6ft lots and looks like a German cyclist, so you'll not miss him!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: MudGuard
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 02:45 PM

Hm. Noreen, I think you just insulted all German cyclist except me...

Antonia, I noticed many of the places you go to have youth hostels - are you going to stay in them?
I will certainly stay in some of them, so look out for me!

To recognize me look here (I still have this cycling shirt, though the bike has been replaced - the newer one is all black, the bags are still the same bright red ones).
The bike is very tall (as am I at 1.94 or 6'4") and is easily recognizable, as it has some extra tubes in it.
Have a look at my bicycle

(no, that's a joke, this is my bike)

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Noreen
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 03:44 PM

Sorry Andy- it was a silly thing to say :0(
Like your site- the sunset photos on your Wales trip are splendid!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: MudGuard
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 03:50 PM

You don't have to say sorry to ME, only to the German cyclists... ;-)

Sorry the texts are in German only...

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 11:02 PM

Noreen,
Yes to the festival, and I'm still trying to figure out accom., I should have done it months ago but was still unsure of when I was going to be able to be there... But I am greatly looking forward to being able to meet some mudcatters! Though, and this was a tough decision, I will be without an instrument; it was going to cost too much to insure my fiddle, and I could not find a travel-friendly substitute, so... I'll have to just be an observer, which will be hard but I'll be bringing a digital recorder so will be able to record tunes and take them back home and learn them by ear. I will look for you :)
And I will look for you Andy, I will be hostelling about half the time (as there is only so long I can go without a shower which i suppose makes me a wuss but oh well), I'll give you the list and locations when I get confirms. from the hostels. And I'll have to find a decent pic of me, I'm usually the one on the other side of the camera...

-A

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: MudGuard
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 03:16 AM

Antonia, contrary to you I do not have a fixed schedule, so I can't give you the dates (or even the hostels) I will stay in - I usually decide from day to day...

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Raggytash
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 04:37 AM

Antonia,
I, my wife and son will be in Whitby from the 15th to t24th if push comes to shove I can always stow my small (3 man) dome tent in my car for you. We have an old tatty caravan at Whitby up on the cliff top near the Abbey. The camp site there will be full of folkies, but it can get a bit noisy until the early hours, not all are as considerate as they might be of other people need for sleep. You are more than welcome to use it, and as Noreen has stated lots of Catters get to Whitby

Cheers Raggy

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 07:26 AM

When you are doing your meandering pop into Chester, Cathedral, Roman Wall ,Ampitheatre, River, Race Track and great music scene.
For details of music search for FOLK ORBIT .It gives details of whats on where and when all around Chester.

Best of luck on the walk ..Travel light.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Bassic
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 09:38 AM

Antonia, I will be in Whitby for the week. Will have my (cheap and chearfull) fiddle with me which you are welcome to borrow for a few hours here and there during the week.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 10:37 PM

Bassic - thanks a million! I'd love to take you up on that offer. It will be quite a feat to spend days listening to great music and not be able to join in, so I'll take any chance I can get :)

Andy - that was my plan as well, to travel sans plan, and then was waking up at night and fretting... also this is my first trip abroad, and the first I'm doing entirely alone, so I chickened out and took the safe route and planned a bit.. Luckily, it seems like (other than that week in Whitby) most of the hostels I've checked online in London, Edinburgh, Oxford, et al, have quite a lot of openings, so I will be winging the last 1 1/2 weeks of the trip...

And Raggy, yes please! I will have my backpacking tent (1-man) with me, so all I'd need is a place to park it. As long as your sure you won't mind sharing your space with another body, I'd be very willing to take it :) And after all that walking over the weeks previous, I'll be out like a light and early at that, so no noise from me!

-A

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Raggytash
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 05:45 AM

Antonia,
The Caravan & camp site we use in Whitby is called Stoupes Cross, it is on the headland above the town, about a 15 min walk past the Abbey and down the famous 199 steps, there are over ways down which we will gladly show you, the walk along the cliff is fabulous. The site gets very full and people still come on long after the "camp site fill" notice goes up. The owners have a limited amount of keys for the toilet and shower facilities after they have issued those the sign goes up.
What I would recommed you do (as they do not take pre-bookings) is to get to the site on the Friday morning and pitch your own tent, when we get there later in the day, probably late afternoon we take your tent down put my tent up for you to use for the duration, and then I and my family will retire to the caravan.
I am sure you will fall in love with Whitby, most people do, and go back over the pond the extol the virtues of Whitby and it's folk week.
Looking forward to meeting you in August

Cheers

Raggy

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Grab
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 07:57 PM

Good news on the book!

Your schedule looks pretty well-planned. Seeing the original, I was going to advise against spending a day in Keld bcos there really is nothing there. A day in Richmond (or maybe Grasmere, if you're feeling it a bit :-) will be better spent. The Rosthwaite and Grasmere days (and the Patterdale day if you're doing Helvellyn) probably involve the largest height gain so expect to be a bit sore after them. It looks like you've planned fairly steady days though, so you might find that you've got super-fit and you'd rather have some longer days, then chill out for longer at the end. However it goes, I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. Good luck.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:41 PM

Thanks Graham, I'm hoping it will all go smoothly... The folks I've been training with seem confident in my ability, I won't be convinced till my boots are in RH Bay. I'm looking forward to the day in Richmond very much, I've heard much about the theater over the years.

Raggy, the campground is fortunately in my map book! So I shall see you on the 17th of August, thanks again :)

Last minute procrastinator's-rush, but I'm nearly ready to go and already there in my head, looking forward to meeting the many of you who will be at the festival, hopefully we'll find a way to meet up.

Antonia

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Raggytash
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 04:08 AM

Hi Antonia,
Hope you get to read this before you depart, I would reiterate, the camp site gets very full on the 16th I would seriously recommend that you get a pitch on the morning of the 16 if at all possible.
On the camp site the road goes round past the shower block and turns right down a gentle slope, halfway down there is a little parking spot for about 4 cars. Our is the first caravan on that section, we drive a black Rover 600 ot a dark blue Rover 25 come and find us, although I'll try and find you too. I'll PM my mobile number

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Essex Girl
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 05:39 AM

Dave and I will be in Whitby for the folk festival. Hope to see you in the Tap & Spile. - Mudguard, it will be great to see you again.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Raggytash
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 05:55 AM

Oi, Essex Girl, how will we recognise you, black tights, white stilettoes?

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: MudGuard
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 06:54 AM

Linda, to hear that I will meet you and Dave is a nice birthday present! Thanks!

Also looking forward to Whitby (and the rest of the trip...)

Andy/MudGuard

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 02:04 PM

Raggy - I'll be sure to get a spot on the 16th; the plan was to be in R.H. bay through that day, but I can always skip it, as getting a site for the festival is of greater concern. I will look for you, my tent is a green one-man if you start the search first...

I would love suggestions/recommendations from anyone about accom. in Reeth and in Richmond, so far I have had little success finding anything at the lower end of the price-range pool.

-A

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Grab
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 04:14 PM

In Richmond there's a very scenic campsite about 2 miles before you get to the town, on the riverside. It's a lovely spot, although as always the presence of water means midges (BTW, don't forget to take a bit of mosquito coil to kill any unwelcome visitors in your tent ;-) and you do have to walk up a bit of a hill to get to the toilets. IIRC it's the Swaleview caravan site shown in the book at mile 114 (page 103). The main problem though is that it's the wrong side of the river and there isn't a bridge/ford anywhere convenient - it is possible (with a little fence-jumping) to get down to the river, and you can get across if you're careful (and if the river isn't in flood) but you *will* get wet up to your knees doing so. Wet feet is probably preferable to a trip to the next bridge though, which probably adds another 3 miles.

For Reeth, there's the Grinton Lodge Youth Hostel, which is a lovely building with all amenities including a games room with pool table. The warden while I was there cooked his own bread, which was top stuff - I suspect he'll have moved on by now, but the place is well worth stopping at. It's a bit off the trail (and uphill at that!) but probably the best option if you're not doing B&B. Oh, and the views across the valley are great as well.

On the subject of places to stay, there's a pub on the main street in Shap that let walkers camp in its back garden, which is a very good arrangement for everyone! There are other pubs on the way which do that as well, but the Shap one stands out in my memory from good food and good beer. :-) Also at Ennerdale Bridge on the first night, the Old Vicarage B&B let you camp in their gardens for not very much money, and you got full use of their showers and stuff which was lovely. Oh, and there was a really good pub in Ennerdale Bridge which served plate-size Yorkshire puddings filled with really good stew. The Youth Hostel at Ennerdale Bridge is actually some distance the other side of the village, which makes for a very long first day if you're doing that.

This may be 10 years out of date, so all that may now have changed. Be prepared for misinformation - especially from Wainwright, whose information is more like 40 years out of date! :-/

I was having a look on Google to remind myself where I stayed in Reeth, and I found this link. http://www.coast2coast.co.uk If you've still got accomodation to book, this could be useful for you.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 08:59 AM

Thanks Graham, I did find that site helpful, the map of distances and elevations was particularly useful.

Well, I am off, leave for the airport in about 10 minutes to head to California, then fron there to London on Thursday. Thank you all so much again for your encouragement and advice, I look forward to meeting up with many of you in Whitby.

Namaste,
Antonia

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: MudGuard
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 09:08 AM

Have a nice trip, see you in Whitby or maybe on the way!

Andy/MudGuard

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Raggytash
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 04:00 AM

Hi Antonia,
According to your schedule you should be in transit to St Bee's today, good luck with your walk. I took the tent to Whitby on Friday, so it is in my caravan waiting for you, see you on the afternoon of the 16th

Nick

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Raggytash
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 04:01 AM

I should have added let us know how you're getting on if you get the chance

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 03:05 PM

cycled through Patterdale today - without seeing Antonia who should have left there this morning.
Going on to the more coastal side of the Lake District, so not meeting Antonia for the next few days as she is moving on towards the East...

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Noreen
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 05:32 PM

I take it the message above is from MudGuard, cycling through Patterdale on the 3rd.

I'll forward this message from Antonia:

2 Aug 2003
I'm in Patterdale, end of day 4, amazing I've made it this far. I can't find the thread and internet is spotty, but I thought I'd drop a line to say hi and that I'm on my way. I am going faster than planned, and will end at least 1 day sooner than expected. I'll see you in whitby,
Antonia
:)

So it appears that Antonia is ahead of Andy due to making good time.

Will Antonia be able to maintain the cracking pace?
Will Andy ever catch her up?
Will they recognise each other?
Will the rain hold off??

Watch this space for the next enthralling installment of our tale of international travel and adventure!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Raggytash
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 06:43 PM

Very pleased to hear that everything is going to plan, looking forward to Whitby Folk Week, roll on the 16th,


PS do you need a stove, I'v got a 2 ring burner if you want one for the duration

Cheers


Raggy

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 11:55 AM

Yay! Found the thread.
Noreen, I'm getting a great laugh from your 'serial', I can't wait to see how it ends either :)
I'm in Richmond, 25 miles to Osmotherly tomorrow, and then a REST DAY! thank the gods. I'll finish on Tuesday, barring anything major, so that will be 3 days faster than planned. I'm surprising myself more than anyone else...
So where is Andy? I'll look for him, though Richmond is massive and I'm B&Bing for lack of YHA.
More when I can, thanks to everyone for the support.
Antonia

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,MudGuard w/o cookie
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 07:38 AM

Yes, the Guest Post was from me...

am in Penrith right now (library)

not sure where I will be for the next days, I just see what will happen... (Whitby on Saturday is definite...)

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 03:14 AM

Well, as many of you already know, I finished the C2C. And liked it so much, I will be returning next year to do it again, as now my parents want to have a go. Any Mudcatters wanting to join in a group C2C walk, keep an eye out for a thread to appear sometime next spring...
Thanks again for all the advice, support and encouragement; it would not have gone as soothly without you. And I was so glad to have the chance to meet those of you I saw in Whitby; same time next year!
I'm in Edinburgh now, then off to London on Saturday. Anything off-the-map/wall I shouldn't miss while I'm here?
Cheers,
Antonia

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 04:22 AM

Yes - don't miss your flights:-)

Well done, Antonia. Sorry we didn't meet and very glad you enjoyed it. Perhaps next year.

I am planning a much shorter walk for the spring from Bolton Abbey to Keld following the route as written by Bob Pegg in 'The Gypsy'. I know you are likely to be across the big water at the time but should chance arise...

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: MudGuard
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 05:39 AM

Antonia, are you then going to pick up the pieces of your toes which you lost this year? ;-)
It was very nice to meet you - I'm sorry I could not say good-bye!
Enjoy the rest of your stay in Europe!

Andy/MudGuard