Shap

Shap

Coast to Coast Day 5

We're sat here writing this as our feet throb and try to escape our trainers...like a red top paper once said "phew what a scorcher". Richard says his face is so hot you could fry an egg on it; he may not get a mention for a while as he's off to the next table to talk with Miss Marple as she eats her cheesecake & inspects a clue with her magnifying glass!

After solving the logistical problem of our drinking water bladders not fitting in the sink in the poor facilities of the pub we'd stayed we then went the co-op & stocked up on enough fluids that would have run Trafalgar Sq fountains for a day. 

Shortly after leaving Shap Main St we crossed the M6 on the footbridge & even managed to attract a couple of horn honks as lorries passed under us...we guess these are fellow C2C'ers.

The tedium of crossing the bland moors to arrive here in Kirkby Stephen was broken by a visit to a Chocolate Factory in Orten for a pot of tea, fresh warm scone with jam & freshly made complimentary chocolate flowers.

The skies cleared as the day drew on and the temperatures soared to a mighty 40+ degrees (well that's what it felt like as our feet hit the hard ground beneath us) We wish to challenge Wainright's description of velvety turf in limestone pavements...today's turf felt more like hot coals.

Navigation was easier than previous days as our C2C Caravan snaked it's way across the bleak, bland & tiring moors towards our destination. This didn't however stop one party head off under a disused railway instead of over it...we obviously offered vocal support as we yelled "Oi Oliver you're going the wrong way!"

After such a tiring day & failing to see the clearly signed campsite we were met by a most 'unfriendly' caravan site attendant who demanded we paid before leaving her office...I presume in a earlier career she was either a head-mistress or doctors receptionist. A most frightful lady who's attitude has cost her employers our business tomorrow as we shall purchase our lunch from a local baker of the finest & deluxe clarsss that we surely deserve! ( nose swept up in the air, back turned & storm out of reception).

We're now eating dinner and having a well deserved break. After re-reading today's blog I shall stop typing now as the painkillers are obviously having an effect when mixed with the lager & Richard has retuned after helping Miss Marple solve the local Murder Mystery that we'd obviously stumbled in on earlier and she has now left.