Not the best of nights sleep. It was hot, noisy and the bed wasnt comfortable. We surfaced around 7:20 and got ourselves to breakfast just after 8. A good breakfast. Set up for the day we ventured into the bright sunny and already hot morning. The first job was to walk the mile back out to meet up with the C2C trail. This was relatively straightforward, until I tried to traverse a stile, and forgetting I had a back pack overbalanced, swung around and imadevertantly sat on some barbed wire. This of course made me find the immediate need to recover my position and get over the stile. No damage done, my shorts were not damaged, the only thing punctured was my pride. We met up with the trail and ventured on the C2C trail… which was relatively well marked. We crossed Scalegill Beck, and on towards Moor Row. The benefit of doing this was that we got to see the Wainright monument. The downside was that we didnt cover the alternative route along an old railway line, which in hindsight may have been a more attractive route.

Thru Moor Row, we headed out towards Cleator, initially on path/road, until picking up the public footpath, and meeting up with where the alternative route would have taken us. This was all relatively easy walking, no climbs. In Cleator we stopped to buy some cold drinks… and probably spent too long talking to the shop owner, about her pies, and workers from Sellafield. The cold drinks were refreshing, but we were about to get hot again as we started the gradual climb up ‘Dent’, which at 352m isn’t that high, but was still a good workout, and the views at the top were very rewarding… stunning views with the clear sky.

We came down Dent, and casually missed a stile we should have gone over, and walked on about 400m before Tricia realised we had made a mistake.. so we turned back, and made good. We descended sharply to a valley… the surface was dry and a little slippy, goodness only knows what it would be like if it was wet. We walked up the valley to the edge of Raven Crag where we found a beautiful spot for a break and a light lunch. Whilst there a young lady came past, videoing the route to make a YouTube video – this was work for her. We talked for a while before she moved on.

We reluctantly gave up our spot and moved onto Ennerdale. It was around 3:45, and slightly early to book in at the B&B, but they were ready, and we checked in. Lovely place, lovely room…. and fabulous shower. At about 6 we went back out to the village and met up with Les & Les, and enjoyed a drink and an evening meal with them.

Tomorrow we have 15 Miles scheduled and some bigger climbs. Early night then!

The day gradually came to life. With the windows open due to the heat, first there was the dawn chorus, who made a right racket, then the noise of early morning workers going off, and then the sound of the occasional train at the back of Lesley’s. When Megan the dog arrived in the room I figured it was probably best to get up. After packing up and breakfasting, Les took us down to Millom station, and we took the train to St Bees. On arrival I called the B&B we were scheduled to stay at to see if we could leave our cases there early… stroke of luck, the lady said the room was ready and we could drop our luggage off.

The first part of the Wainwright walk takes you up the coast towards Whitehaven, before coming inland and going slightly south towards Sandwith, before venturing off East. All of this was scheduled to be part of tomorrows walk, but as time was on our side, we decided to do the first half today, about 6-7 miles, coming off the path about a mile north of St Bees to return to the B&B. We will just walk back up tomorrow and pick up the path.

First port of call was the beach at St Bees. Wainwright says you should go for a paddle… so we did. The water was lovely and warm as well. Feet dried off and booted up, we then headed up onto the coastal walk. Past a few lookout areas, we could clearly see the Isle of Man. I tried to tell Tricia it was Thunderbird Island, but that just earned me one of Tricia’s ‘looks’. The sky was clear, it was very still, the Irish Sea very calm. Beautiful. There were a couple of RSPB lookouts, where you could see sea birds, mainly guillemots, some razorbills, crammed in the cliff and rock. We stopped for lunch in a little cove… the sea beckoned, and so I was down to my undies and in the sea. Bloody hell it was freezing. I don’t know what the difference was in a few miles of coast, but I wasn’t long in the sea. Lunch over, and further on we passed a Lighthouse, now privately owned, and then the gradual trend back East and inland. We went through Sandwith, and down to a rail line, where we left the path and headed back to St Bees. Just before we went across a crossroads, and there was an old guy sat in his garden in the shade enjoying the warmth. I glugged the last of my water and he promptly asked if I wanted it refilled. Top Man.

We poked our nose in the Priory, a beautiful old church, and then into the local shop for some cold drinks. After showers we ate in a local called the Manor. Food was ok. But the place was full of people, who had finished for the weekend and were filling themselves with alcohol. They were a little loud. Never mind. So we are

all ready for tomorrow, 4 bottles of water in the fridge chilling. Breakfast at 8, and not so far to walk tomorrow. Which means no time pressures, we can stop and enjoy the route when we want to.

The early part of the morning was spent quickly doing last minute tasks, ensuring we were packed and the house was in order. Tricia’s Dad, aka Grampy, turned up at about 8:40, and we left for MK station just after 9. We were at the station in plenty of time… well, enough time for acquiring a flat white, and then we were onto platform 6, and onto the Glasgow train. We arrived in Lancaster on time, and left the train, and waited for the Barrow train which arrived a few minutes later. This was a lovely train ride… beautiful scenery, old railway stations, with Victorian station houses. At Barrow we had a very quick change… 3 minutes to pick up the next train on another platform, but that was fine. This was the last leg of the journey for now, arriving in Millom, where Lesley picked us up from the station.

We enjoyed a relaxed early evening with Les, Les, Chris and Hannah. Didn’t see much of Dan as he was playing tennis. We watched a dull game…. Belgium beating England 1-0. And then it was a relatively early night.

Friday June 1st was cataract day for Tricia’s mum, all went well and she has reported significantly improved clarity already. Seems it is a theme at the moment, Jennifer H has also had hers done this month, and my Dad has his scheduled for July. Friday evening was curry night, we trooped round to the Williams house with the Grays. We had thought we might be able to eat outside, but it was a bit too chilly out for that. Saturday morning I was across in Buckingham early for a spin class… good workout, but not always best advised after a curry night!

Tricia was full on with getting work done for Elliot, and Sally came round to help on the Tuesday. But this week heralded the start of Ellie’s A Level exams with the first one on Thursday. She had been studying, but it had got to the point she just wanted to get on with them. Wednesday evening Tricia and me went across to the school to see the Art exhibition.

Saturday was the church fete. Tricia was feeling uncomfortable after jarring her back and hip whilst running, so I set her stall up on Friday evening. Lovely day on Saturday for the fete, but not a lot of business for Tricia. Sunday was a practice walk, we picked Robbie up, and went for a walk around the Ellesborough area, and up Combe Hill, about 8 miles.

Tuesday 12th was a sad day… (Great) Granny’s funeral. Ellie couldn’t come across as she had an exam at the same time. Robbie had stayed over the Monday evening before, and set off with Tricia and me. We picked up Nikki en route, and arrived in Royal Wootton Bassett at 11:30 and caught up with everyone before the service at 12. There were sniffles and tears, but it was a nice service. Afterwards it was good to catch up with family that we don’t see too often.

Friday Tricia was looking after Isobelle in the morning, and then in the evening Tricia and me went over to the Fort in Buckingham for a curry with a group from the gym. Saturday was Tricia’s 53rd birthday… and we were booked into a restaurant in the ‘walkie talkie’ building in London, called Sky Gardens. The Grays and the Williams were with us, and we had a wonderful meal, and enjoyed the terrific views. Sunday was ‘family lunch’ being hosted by Nikki and Matt… BBQ, Rob, Amy, Ellie, Gran and Gramps and David and Manda came over.

Monday 18th was Ellies last exam…. And a huge sigh of relief. She flopped on the sofa when back home and overdosed on the dreadful ‘Love Island’. It was also the first game of Englands World Cup campaign. I went up to Peters (Tinky Winky) and joined him, Bob and Malcolm and watched England edge a game 2-1, that should have been a more comfortable victory. Tuesday evening the three of us went across to MK to see what was an excellent production of Matilda. A few G&T’s helped . Tricia was adding to her back woes, with an infection above one of her teeth. The dentist prescribed antibiotics, which seemed to bring her out in a rash, and make her feel like she had had the flu… not good. And she still didn’t feel good on Thursday when she had to drive Nikki and Ellie to Gatwick. The two girls were off to Morocco for a holiday. Loads of traffic on the M25 meant that having left at 1:45pm, she didn’t get home till 8:15… and was very tired. After speaking with the dentist, she was told to stop taking the antibiotics… and within 12 hours the rash was clearing and she was feeling better.

Saturday was another one of our practice walks. This time we picked Robbie up, and then met Rob, Karen and Sue at Dunstable Downs. Lovely weather, we did about 10 miles. In the afternoon I did the garden and we started to get ready for holiday . Sunday I sat and watched England stuff Panama 6-1… good grief. And then England finish off Australia for a 5-0 ODI series victory. Has the world gone mad.

And so to a mad dash to get ready to depart and do the coast to coast … Tricia packing, ironing, cleaning etc. Monday evening I went for a read thru at Players for ‘Tomb with a View’ which is being put on in October. I was in it when I was at Safeway, playing Lucien. Let’s see who I end up with this time. Tricia went to the dentist and was given some more antibiotics. Tuesday evening was quiz night at the pub, which was good fun. Wednesday I was at a governors meeting which threw up a few issues. But come Thursday morning we were ready for the ‘off’ to do the coast to coast.

With an impending trip to Malaysia and Singapore for work, I had to get a short notice passport renewal. Even though my passport was valid till November, both Malaysia and Singapore wouldn’t let you in unless you had at least 6 months on the passport. So Wednesday May 2^nd I was in Central London on a passport fast track service. Thursday was local elections, and a first chance for Ellie to vote… and she voted for her friend Scott, who was standing as a local councillor. And he won.

Friday 4^th and Tricia and me set off for Hay on Wye. We stopped off for lunch in Ross on Wye, and went for a walk. Then it was onto Haye on Wye. In the evening we ate at the Blue Boar. Good steak J. Saturday morning we headed out to the Brecons. After some confusion over where to park, we were off on foot to the reservoir, then up onto windy ridge and along to Pen Y Fan, which is the highest peak in south Wales, 886 metres above sea-level. We completed a circular walk … it was a proper training session for the coast to coast, lots of hill walking. In the evening we went to Hay cinema to watch the ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’… which was a lovely film. Then off to the Indian. It was also Robbie’s 26^th Birthday. Happy birthday Rob.

Sunday was my book day. Tricia went off on a local walk, and we met up at late afternoon and enjoyed a glass of wine outside. We had been blessed with lovely weather over the weekend. Bank Hol Monday we headed back, I needed to be back for Trolls rehearsals.

Week beginning the 7^th was Trolls performance week. I wasn’t entirely taken with the production, but all went well. We performed Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. Tricia came to watch with Nikki and Matt and Ellie on the Friday. Saturday afternoon Nikki treated Tricia to afternoon tea at Woburn which they both enjoyed. Sunday I should have been at West Ham for the final game of the season, but I had my flight to KL in the evening, and I didn’t want to chance missing a flight, so missed the game. Didn’t stop Joe Hart making the flight with his family though. I flew out of Heathrow at 20:45 and flew to Abu Dhabi, and managed a few hours sleep. I stopped over in Abu Dhabi for a few hours before catching my connecting flight to KL. Landing in KL I then had to catch a train to KL central. I eventually booked into my hotel around 10:30pm local time.

Next morning my work colleague picked me up at the hotel and took me to the office. A day of presentations ensued, then back to the airport for my flight to Singapore at 7:30pm. I then had 3 days in Singapore, the highlight of which was a visit to the Kranji War Memorial on behalf of Ivy Robinson, to pay respects to her brother who died at the end of the Second World War. Meanwhile on the Wednesday I was away Tricia went to Chatham and took Janet G as company, and they visited Canterbury on the way back. On the Thursday evening Nikki went to the PL darts final with Ellie. Next morning Elllie had her ‘leavers assembly’ she had been working hard on, then in the evening her Year 13 prom.

I landed back at Heathrow on Saturday morning. Royal Wedding Day and Cup Final Day. I know which one I was interested in! Cup Final… which ended up being dull. Tricia was out with Sara and Rachel at a spa, Ellie was half asleep after a late night. But I unpacked, did the garden, found ways to keep myself busy and around 8pm crashed out in bed.  Sunday we (Tricia and Ellie and me) travelled over to have lunch at Deb and Carlos’ … very pleasant. Nikki and Matt made it was well.

A full on week then ensued. Tricia with festival orders had Sally over to help. I was catching up on work I had missed whilst away on business. Friday evening Tricia and me headed for the Peak District. We stayed in Castleton, and over both Saturday and Sunday completed two walks from Castleton. On the Bank Holiday Monday we met up with Ross and Deb, who we had met when doing the Pennine Way a few years before, who took us pp on a terrific walk on Kinder. It was a beautiful day… in stark contrast to the day we had last been there when we finished the Pennine Way.

So first day after the Easter break, it was date night for Tricia and me. We were off to see Classic FM live at the Royal Albert Hall. We dined in the Coda restaurant in the RAH, and then enjoyed a show of classical music, including some readings from Mr Titchmarsh. A very pleasant evening.

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful, I had rehearsals for Trolls, Tricia had a girly evening at Angela’s on Wednesday, and on Saturday morning Tricia and me went to Leamington Spa in the hope of finding me some new walking boots. There was a particular outdoor shop that stocked Altberg boots that come up narrow – which I need. Unfortunately they didn’t, but a pair of Zamberlan boots did :-). That and a new backpack and I was a happy chap. We walked down into the main town centre, which was a lovely place, had a good gluten free meal, and a walk around the park before returning. In the evening we went to Pat and Clive’s for supper, and to plan the forthcoming Isle of Man trip.

The following week we had our niece Sarah staying for a few days. Tricia, Ellie and Sarah had a day out in London.  Tricia made an interesting ‘unicorn’ cake for Tam during the week. Saturday in the evening  Tricia and myself went to see our friends Juliet & John, catching up on their South American adventure. Sunday we had the family over for lunch.

Monday the 16^th it was back to school for Ellie… her final term. In the evening, it was West ham v Stoke… crunch game in the battle to avoid relegation. Bob and I were both a little nervous, but confident we could get a result. Instead of going full on the gas for a win, but we were a bit cautious. 0-0 at half time…. Midpoint in the second half and Joe Hart spills a shot and Peter Couch puts Stoke ahead. On came Andy Carroll… and he scored with a beautiful strike to save the game and give us a point. Not as much as we needed, but enough to keep us above the bottom 3.

On Friday 20^th, Tricia, me Pat and Clive and Norman the Gnome all set off for the Isle of Man. We flew out from Luton and arrived in Isle of Man mid-afternoon. We picked up the hire car, and did a lap of the TT circuit. We checked into the B&B which was excellent. In the evening we ate at Macfarlane’s Restaurant, in Douglas.

Saturday morning we had a unique trip out on Segways. Great fun. Tricia fell off at one point, but no major damage! It didn’t take much to master, and we were doing laps in and around a forest. After the Segway fun and games we went on a little tour of the south of the island, beautiful little stretches of coast we enjoyed. Peel in particular. We visited the German cathedral, sat on the front with some ice cream in the lovely weather, and then walked up around Peel Castle. On the way back we stopped at the Creg Ny Baa pub, which is situated on the TT circuit for our evening meal.

Sunday and the weather was a little cloudy, and a hint of rain in the air, so we went off to the steam railway. We caught the train from Douglas down to a very quiet Port Erin. We mooched about, had a coffee… the place was barely awake … walked on the beach, then caught the train back. We then went on to see the Laxey Wheel… allegedly the largest working waterwheel in the world. We got in free courtesy of our NT cards. After a walk round here, we then went and got on a tram / train going up Snaefell. This was excellent… another coffee at the top J. Then back down, a drive around the north of the island before going back to the Creg Ny Baa for the evening meal. A packed day.

Monday, and we packed, paid and left the B&B and headed for Douglas. Tricia and Clive were booked on a trip to go round the TT course on a motor trike. They absolutely loved it, the driver taking them up over a 100mph! Pat and me meandered around Douglas and had a coffee. When the dynamic duo returned we ventured across to Castletown before reluctantly heading for the airport and coming home. A terrific weekend.

The week back was relatively quiet. Tuesday night was the local pub quiz, then I had a visit to the opticians on Wednesday – the good news was that my prescription hadn’t changed, and I ordered up some new glasses. Friday, during the day Tricia was looking after Isobelle, then in the evening, courtesy of connections at the local Rotary, we were able to get tickets to see a musician called Callaghan in Buckingham. She is from Boston in Lincs originally but now spends most of her time in LA. She had a fantastic voice, and it was a very pleasant evening.

Saturday morning was Spin class followed by a haircut. Sunday Bob and me were off to see West Ham against Man City. Whilst I tried to be upbeat and optimistic, I have to say Man City deserved their 4-1 win.