Up and ready to go! I check my watch and it reads 5:12am, love hiking first thing. It’s already light as it is so close to the summer solstice. I leave the coast and head inland to pass through the village of Sandwith, then Whitehaven and a few farms.
The Lake District’s hills loom in the distance and I leave the final town – Cleator – and ascend my first hill – Dent at 352m. Up I go and then down a steep slope on the other side. I follow the valley round and arrive at Ennerdale Bridge. Passing through I meet the lake and stop for an early lunch before skirting the right side. It is quite breezy and the water is whisked off the surface as a refreshing water fountain.
On the other side I pop into YHA Ennerdale. They have an honesty tuck shop so I buy a banana (precious fruit!), refill my water and hike on. A rain shower passes over and I take shelter under a cluster of pine trees. Following the river Liza as it flows down hill I can see across the valley floor divided by Liza and the sparse pine forest on the opposite mountains. Paths cris-cros all other the place and I soon use one to climb up and disappear into the hills. It’s a steep one and I’m pleased to reach the top. I can see some slate mines in the distance, neat paths ways have been chiselled into the rock.
Down into Honister House i descend and follow the road. There are a few cars but thankfully not too many even though it is sunny. I return to the path which zig-zags down a hill. I follow it for a little while until I detour away to find a secluded place to camp. I end up beneath a tall and gnarly pine tree in long grass. Thankfully it is dry. I do my end of day chores and gladly fall into bed zzzZZZZ.
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