Ready for take off

Quick stop @ Bangkok

Got off plane for a break. Next stop - Dubai. But again it'll only be an hour.
Quick stop Dubai

Zac's country hopping Birthday continues...
Manchester youth hostel

The Rawsons and the Roberts meet at Manchester Youth Hostel...
Zac had his birthday in 3 countries today.
Old trafford & stuff...

Went for a tram ride, wandered into Old Trafford cricket oval (guy who worked there let us in). Then toured Old Trafford soccer stadium - pretty cool. Lunch @ a great Italian restaurant, then back toRead more
train to St Bees

Arrived @ St Bees

Three trains to get here. Great little town. Had a look around the old church... dating back to the 1200's. Pretty cool - especially the stuff about 'St Bees Man', who was dug up in an archeologicalRead more
the walk begins...

Starting the coast to coast walk

It's not sunny...
"Never start out on a Toosdy"
I was walking to the start of the coast to coast walk, and it was raining. I had just gone back to get an extra layer of clothes for Zac, before theRead more
Walking the coast to coast, day 1

Great walk along the Irish Sea coastline, despite the wind and rain...
Su Ellen's Bakery Shop

Not much to look at, no room inside... great home made pies, though.
Made it 15 minutes before closing.
Top of Dent Hill

Wild & wooly day!
Big climb out of forest to the top of Dent Hill, where we could see the coastline we had just walked along.
First indication that the boys are good Hill climbers.
Day 1 - to Ennerdale Bridge

Despite the weather, especially early, it ended up being a great day's hike.
Coastline, farmland, paddocks full of sheep, Su Ellen's bake house, over rolling streams, through forrests, climbing overRead more
Day 2 - Start Ennerdale Water

Along Ennerdale Water

Overcast...
But less rain = more comfort.
Time to think about scenery & photos
End Ennerdale Water

That was a pleasant walk...
... before heading into the next valley...
... which we will have to CLIMB out of.
Black Sail YHA

Most isolated Youth Hostel in England.
A place to stop with fellow hikers, refresh & recharge before hiking out of the valley.
It seems to be a bit of a central spot for all sorts of hikes. PeopleRead more
: )

The valley awaits...

Day 2 - to Honnister Haus

After climbing up from Black Sail YHA... (where Zac, Ethan & Lachie raced ahead and chatted with Ray, Phil & Alan), we had to find an old mine cart train track and head in to the next valley to findRead more
Day 3, via Greenup Edge

Seriously tough/beautiful/testing/rewarding day... topped off with best meal of the trip so far.
We got lost... at the top... in pea soup fog... in a bog... ankle deep usually... knee deepRead more
Not lost...

Day 3 - to Grasmere YHA

Great town. Could have easily spent a whole day here.
William Wordsworth spent his whole life here, reading, writing & teaching.
34,987 steps
211 floors
next stop...

Day 4 - to Patterdale

"1677?" Noticing the number on the side of the farmhouse we were spending the night in.
"Is that the street number or when the house was built?"
"No, that's when the extensions were built" was theRead more