Friday 9 May 2014

Day 9. Culgaith to Penrith. 3 hours, then home

I said goodbye to Shiona and Mike this morning after breakfast at Shepherds Croft B & B. I can highly recommend this place for a comfortable overnight stop. My room was immaculate and I was made to feel very welcome. Check out their web site if you are planning on visiting the Lakes or the Yorkshire Dales, or looking for a stop off on the way to or from Scotland. 
I set off at 9.30am, the weather looked overcast but it wasn't raining, so I didn't put my waterproofs on. Lucky me, I only came across ten minutes of rain as I came to the A6, and I was able to keep reasonably dry with the umbrella. I crossed over the A66 trunk road, and took a minor road through Whinfell Forest. There is a Centre Parcs holiday village here, can you see the log cabins through the trees.   
Heading towards Penrith on a minor road from Cliburn, there is a Zoo marked on the map on the left hand side. As I passed it I thought the entrance doesn't look very appealing, a bit scruffy in fact. No time to stop and visit anyway. Just out of curiosity I looked at the reviews on Trip Adviser, oh dear, a lot are not very complimentary at all. The main complaints seem to be that the animals are kept in dirty cramped conditions. To be fair some people like it, especially those with young children. Apparently it is more an animal sanctuary than a Zoo and is run entirely on donations.

On the outskirts of Penrith now, nearly there.

I didn't have time to look around the town, Mike had found the time of the train for me, and I arrived ten minutes before it left, so pretty good timing. Opposite the station is the castle. 
That's it then, all done and dusted. 158 miles in eight days and three hours. I'm quite chuffed with my achievement.

The train from Penrith was pretty full, then when we got to Lancaster loads more people piled on and it was packed. I changed at Manchester, and the train to Hull had plenty of empty seats, Puddytat had one all to himself. From Hull I hopped on a bus, and was picked up in the next village. The bus doesn't go through my village.

Now I need to relax and chill. I think I'll give the Parkrun a miss tomorrow, ha ha. I have a new blister on my right heel so I will be hobbling around for a day or two. The pusscats were delighted to see me. The garden needs a bit of attention so I'll get on with that tomorrow if it doesn't rain. The broad beans need some support canes putting in.

I'll have a look through all your comments, because questions have been asked, I will answer them in a post. Thank you to everyone who has been spurring me on, I greatly appreciate your support. Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.

42 comments:

  1. Congratulations Ilona, that's a brilliant achievement. You can be well chuffed.

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  2. Congratulations, what a fantastic achievement, you have inspired me to get out there and gradually build up my walking.

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  3. Congratulations Ilona, so very well done. You are such an inspiration.
    I am glad you are home and well. Take it easy now, you deserve a rest.
    Love from Pam in TX. xx

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  4. Glad you are safely home! I so enjoyed your pictures. Thanks for sharing with us. I am sure that you are glad to be home, and I hope that you have a good rest.

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  5. Oh Ilona! 158 miles in 8 days! I did 26 miles in two days for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in 2011 and didn't think I would finish that! You inspire me. I started looking at walking trails here in the states thinking I might plan a short one to begin with. Can you give a tutorial about how you plan your walk? Do you just use a map? Also, do you bring an iPad with you? BTW-- Welcome home and Congrats on completing your walk!

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  6. What a fantastic achievement, well done. Great pictures during your travels. Enjoy a good foot soak

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  7. From Margie in Toronto -- congratulations Ilona - another great accomplishment. I so enjoy your commentary and your photos - so thank you very much for taking us along with you.

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  8. As we say here good onya Ilona !
    AussieCheryl : )

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  9. Very impressive and thank you for taking us along on your trip.

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  10. Congratulations! It must feel good to be home with your cat friends tonight. Have a good rest.

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  11. well done, what an achievement! I would love to see the map of the track you took.
    Janey

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  12. Have to tell you I enjoyed your walk so much. The Google map came out every day to view your progress. Loved following along and checking out all the beautiful villages.

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  13. Super achievement! Very inspirational, well done!

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  14. Congrats, what an accomplishment!

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  15. You've seen some lovely places, thanks for sharing. Hope you sleep well.

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  16. I have just found your blog and love it! Well done on completing your walk! :)

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  17. So glad you are home safe, been following your progress all week, Well done you should have asked your followers to sponsor you for your cat charity, so many of us would gladly have supported you. try that next time. once again well done

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  18. Congratulations - a fantastic achievement. Thank you for sharing your holiday. I've enjoyed reading about your daily adventures and seeing the lovely photographs from 'up north'. Hope you enjoy a few days rest and the blisters heal soon. Sarah

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  19. Mary in Perth Australia10 May 2014 at 08:01

    Oh very well done. I'm sure you are glad to be home though. I would love to know sometime which of your walks you have enjoyed the most, if you have a favourite of course.
    Certainly, you have made the walk most enjoyable for those of us 'out here' in blogland. Thanks for that.

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  20. I have enjoyed following along on your journey Ilona and love all the great photos you take on the way.

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  21. Well done. What an accomplishment! Glad you are home safe and sound - enjoy your rest. Debbie

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  22. Put your feet up for the day Ilona and snuggle with those lovely cats and "whoever else" wants some love.
    My claim to fame is that when we eloped to Gretna Green to get married, the brakes on the train froze and we had to disembark at Penrith while they were defrosted :-D

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    1. There was plenty of love to go around, Kath :o))

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  23. What an achievement! You look so happy waiting at the station.
    Well done and enjoy the next few days of catching up at home :-)

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  24. Well done Ilona!! I love reading your blog, I find it very inspiring, you are so upbeat and have a real' get up and get on with it' attitude. I love reading your trip blogs, you make the areas you visit seem so interesting.

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  25. From Angela in London Very well done on your walk and thanks for all the lovely pictures have a good rest now - you deserve it.

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  26. Sincere congratulations on your accomplishment & sincere thanks for your lovely posts. I couldn't do it myself but had much pleasure sharing the journey with you each day......didn't expect to have the daily log, thought it would be done afterwards. So well done.
    Metta.

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    1. Thank you Metta. I find it easier to do a day by day report, fresh in the memory, and I have time each night when in my room. Only downside is carrying the small computer. Maybe I'll buy a new lightweight tablet when this one breaks down.

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  27. Welcome home Ilona!!
    I enjoyed this wonderful trip with you every day even though I haven't commented until now. I am learning so much about all the villages and landmarks that you highlight on these delightful walks.
    Get some rest and take care of your tired blistered feet.

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  28. Thank you for sharing your inspiring trip Ilona, I very much enjoyed seeing some of the pretty places you passed through and WELL DONE on another successful challenge.
    Jacquie x

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  29. From Debbie in Far North Queensland - Well Done Ilona! I have looked forward to reading about each day's journey and have thoroughly enjoyed 'travelling' with you. You have inspired me to walk more in an effort to one day do a walking journey like you. Thank you for the gorgeous photos and info and for the inspiration!

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  30. Great job Ilona, what an achievement! Puddytat was v.lucky to get a seat on a train!!

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  31. Congratulations Ilona...........I've been following your route each day via Google Earth, and enjoyed it immensely. Thanks for sharing.

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  32. Amazing! So glad you are back safe and sound and have really enjoyed your walk. Enjoy your rest.

    Tricia

    PS I have taken my bag to school every day. Supply finished now but who knows, there may be more. :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Tricia. I received your card, thank you very much.

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    2. Oh good. I'm so pleased it got there.

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  33. Enjoyed the walk! Glad you had a wonderful time and accomplished what you wanted to do.
    Tana

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  34. Very well done Ilona have a well earned rest now. Bet you'll sleep well in your own bed tonight
    Twiggy x

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  35. Thank you for the tour of the north, well done on the huge distance in a short time. Have a lovely rest

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  36. Just been catching up with your adventure - all 9 episodes in one go!

    Well done! I'm glad the weather was reasonably kind, and that you persevered when you'd been thinking of giving up. I bet your dead chuffed. :-)

    I also reckon it won't be too long before the next trip is beginning to take shape.

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  37. Well done on completing another epic walk, 20 miles a day is good going.
    I enjoyed following your walk, especially through the dales.
    Dave.

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