I am told Fergus followed up his own breakfast with some of Aunty Debbie's scrambled egg (how could she resist a face like that?) with sausage and bacon supplied by the hotel chef! That hotel sounds like somewhere to go back to.
A longer walk today than was publicised by me yesterday. I said 14 miles but the team actually walked 15.1 miles (the 0.1 is very important) and all of it in wet and overcast conditions. According to the well planned itinerary I have been given, there were lots of climbs today - a total of 2,344 feet gained - but then also a lot of descents - a total of 2,390 feet. Sounds like hard going to me.
Sadly not many photos as it was so overcast. There was time to take one at Black Sail Youth Hostel which Wainwright describes as the loneliest in the Lakes.
From Black Sail there is a well worn path alongside Loft Beck named after the Honister quarryman Moses Trod who used it to take pony-loads of slate to Ravenglass .... and probably his home brewed whisky too! (Little bit of history for you again and proof that we have read more than the first few pages of the book!)
Wainwright describes the descent from Loft Beck to Honister as 'a simple down-hill stroll, made highly enjoyable by a glorious vista of Buttermere and Crummock Water'.
Not today Mr Wainwright if this photo is anything to go by!
Tomorrow the end destination is Grasmere of Wordsworth and gingerbread fame. But more of that anon. There is just time to say a quick hello to Jane who is a dedicated follower of my blog. Fergus says thank you for your support and we all hope to see you again soon, it's been ages!
Finally, I would like to be a bit cheeky and pass on a message from my Mum who is helping me to post these pictures and words every night. It is a message to Aunty Debbie ... 'keep up the good work with the photos and updates as helping Merlin means I have avoided the washing up every night this week!'
