So here we are then, our first stop on the great adventure. The Black Bull hotel in Kirkby Stephen. The plan was to meet in the hotel bar around mid-afternoon and meet we duly did. But, not quite all of us........Tina, our most experienced navigator is late! Travelling by train, Tina had to change at Leeds for the journey on to Kirkby Stephen. However, being deeply engrossed in her Coast to Coast book (bonus points for dedication) Tina managed to get on the wrong train, had to travel back to Leeds, missed the train to KS and then had to wait over 3 hours for the next KS train, arriving at the Black Bull at 8pm. So much for our team navigator! At this point, we sit over our maps, very, very worried..........can we even find our way to our bedrooms, let alone 200 miles across the north of England! What's more, spending more time in the hotel bar waiting for Tina's arrival, has forced us to try more of the local refreshments; even Marie has gone on to the hard stuff!


We arrived safely in Kirkby Stephen after a long journey (some longer than others Tina!) and checked into our first night's accommodation, the Black Bull.......an excellent place with very comfy rooms, a fine selection of beers and superb food. We had a fabulous two course meal that was extremely tasty and superbly presented. We whiled away a couple of hours chatting away as if we didn't have a care in the world and certainly weren't about to embark on a 16 day trek across the country.........not quite the Last Supper, but definitely some similarities.  

I travelled up by car, picking up Steve on the way from his daughter's in Didsbury. And, what a journey! I've driven in some bad weather in the past, but this weather was foul! Torrential rain pretty much the whole way, with wipers at full speed at times and still tough to see. I even used the M6 Toll Road this time because it was quieter and less risky.......£5.50 very well spent! To cap it all, as we approached Kirkby Stephen, a huge dirty black cloud appeared overhead and it turned as dark as night, an almost biblical 'portent of doom'!  The pint of 'Wainwrights' (a perfect choice) that awaited us inside the Black Bull was a very welcome relief.




So, we're all here safe and ready to go. But first, a few points of interest:

* Tina probably won't be our main navigator;
* Jim still hasn't read any of my spreadsheets;
* After a quiet start, Marie has soon followed the chaps' lead in ridiculing all my attempts to organise the group;
* Steve has forgotten to bring something! Nothing important for this epic walk.....only his Coast to Coast book;
* Tim has brought enough energy bars/drinks with him to keep us all awake until Christmas;
* The boys have all decided to join me in going unshaven for the trip.....we've been very kind though, the girls have been excused;

As for me, apart from breaking my IPad as I walked out the front door at home, forgetting by best walking stick, which I had put by the front door so I wouldn't forget it (!) and being lumbered with the job of 'kitty meister' for the trip, it's been a perfect start to the adventure!!

Before I close on day one, a big, big thank you to a few particular people who have donated to LHM in the last couple of days (and who I have not been able to thank properly); people who have pushed the total to a massive £3500+!

* Jimmy Miller, a former work colleague, whose only real fault is being a Crystal Palace supporter who have done the double over West Ham this season (who hasn't!!);
* My daughter Vicky's in laws, Nick and Wendy Hall......Spurs supporters, but the one team West Ham could yet still do the double over this season;
* The wonderful people of Stewkley (the village where Lucia and her parents live) who raised nearly £600 at a coffee and cake event, half of which they generously gave to LHM via my page;
 
 and last, but by no means least... 
* A lovely lady called Maria Wicks who made a very generous donation via her fabulous business 'Dresses by Carmen' in Leighton Buzzard.......check it out on Facebook.

So many people have been amazingly generous to my fundraising efforts and the total I have achieved so far has surpassed my wildest dreams..........I just know that, whatever challenges this walk has in store, the inspiration I will get from your fantastic kindness will drive me on. Thank you so much everyone!