It's Saturday morning, we've slept pretty well, but it's absolutely frantic in the Black Bull; we've got a bus to catch! We need to get to the Penine View Caravan Park (where Packhorse our transport company are based) by soon after 8.00 am to get their bus to St. Bees, leaving at 8.30 prompt. So, we're up soon after 6 to do the three 'S's' (oops I forgot, no shaving!!)' pack our bags, and get down for brekkie by 7.30. And what a brekkie! The chaps thought that this was the one opportunity to have a full English, bearing in mind that we had at least a couple of hours before we started walking, if you know what I mean! So, a Hearty Cumbrian it was and very 'hearty' it was too, and....... with pretty decent fried bread as well! The girls, of course, were far more sensible, opting for porridge or a 'mini-English', but then they are girls...........



Breakfast done, we bade farewell to the Black Bull, but not before we booked in for dinner next Saturday when we are next back in Kirkby Stephen. A few minutes up the road to the caravan park where we meet up with Simon Jones of Packhorse. And what a slick operation! We're checked in, car keys handed over, bags packed in one van and the rest of us in another and bang on 8.30 we depart for St. Bees. And, as if on schedule........as Supertramp might say.......it's raining again!
 
We arrive in St.Bees ahead of time, with Marie being rewarded with a Little Chef lollipop for being the first person to spot the sea.....such fun!! Conveniently (ha ha), we are dropped off by the public toilets, which proves to be very handy, not just for the 'usual', but also to change into our waterproof clothing........it's STILL raining! A quick visit to the shop to buy a sandwich, then we dip our boots in the Irish Sea, grab a pebble and pose for a group picture by 'mile zero'. Then we're off at 10.40 AND it's uphill straight away; but, as if by magic, the sun comes out. We manage about half a mile before it's our first stop...........to get rid of the waterproof clothing! It's almost balmy!


 
We travel north for about 3 miles following the dramatic coastline of St. Bees headland, taking in Fleshwick Bay, two RSPB observation points (didn't see any birds of interest, at least, none that meant anything to me!), St. Bees lighthouse and some disused quarries, where we stopped for lunch. The sea was beautifully calm and it was pretty sunny, making for some great pictures, with masses of colourful flower cover. Bluebells were everywhere, something I didn't expect on the cliff tops of remote Cumbria!

 
After lunch, it's a right turn and then it's East for nearly 200 miles! Through the village of Sandwith (pronounced 'Sanith' - good job we've got a northern lass like Marie to translate) and we then get our first view of the rolling fells of the Lake District. To this point, navigation has been pretty reasonable, although by no means straightforward. BUT then we hit a bit of trouble. First we had to find a tunnel under the railway........put 6 people with maps, together on a walk and you'll probably get at least 7 different routes!! However, sense prevailed and we soon found the tunnel, only to then hit the notorious trouble spot around Stanley Pond. 

The problem was, there was no obvious path and we had to feel ourselves along in what we thought was the general direction. And we weren't far out.....but, just far enough to make it difficult! To compound the problem, we didn't listen to the ladies who had, of course, spotted the correct path!! After about 10 minutes, we finally saw sense and we were off up the ladies' path and back on track, more or less. Following this tricky situation, Marie has been made 'deputy' team leader (some might say 'joint team leader'!) to ensure a good gender mix, when dishing out the blame!
 
We join a cycle way, actually a disused railway, which forms a more picturesque alternative to the main C2C route, before walking through the small village of Moor Row. Then it's past the local cricket ground (a game was just about to start, but no time to stop) and church and then into our destination of Cleator. However, our joy is a bit premature. The Grove Court Hotel, is another half mile or so off the C2C route and that final half mile is a bit of a slog, to be honest. The Grove Court does have the feel of a former school or offices at first sight, but we had a very friendly welcome, the rooms are very comfortable and we had an excellent and affordable meal. The staff are very good and the receptionist, in particular, was very helpful and soon had the bar open for us! What's more the place was buzzing; in, what seems like a fairly remote spot, the hotel was busy and the restaurant rammed! Book early to avoid disappointment.
 
So the first leg is done. 9.86 miles walked, great weather and wonderful views.....a perfect start.

And now, a few more points to share from today:
 
* Tim has an interesting line in waterproof trousers, looking a bit like they have been home made from a sheet of tarpaulin;
* Tina makes a very agreeable fruit cake;
* Steve managed to stand up the whole way, but did stub his toe on the bedpost at the Grove Court. But the great news is, it was in excitement after Bristol Rovers won an absolutely crucial game;
* Jim can't really be bothered to take any photos and and has decided to rely on everyone else's pics - what is that creature that preys on its own kind?
* Marie has engineered a coup against the team leader, now being heavily reported as the 'Coast to Coast Spring'; and as for me......
*well I had a great day (despite the coup!) and was particularly pleased with the pics - thanks for the great tuition Karen Bayliss.
 
One leg down and 15 to go!! The Lakes tomorrow, and some big hills...........