Wednesday 13 September 2017

Day 3. Patterdale to Bowness.

Hello. I'm afraid it's a post without photographs again. I haven't found a camera shop.

It was chucking it down this morning so I delayed my start until it had eased off. Mind you, there were plenty more showers during the day. At one stage I wondered whether to give up, but I soldiered on. Patterdale is on the A592 to Windermere. I thought it would be a busy road, and after all the rain it might be the easier option. However I did find a path to take me away from the road to start the day, so I took that. I was so far along it and found parts of it waterlogged, my feet were going to get wet again. The swollen waterfalls came cascading down, and at one point the path was impassible. A long legged person might have been able to stride across the stream, but I couldn't without danger of falling in, so I turned back and found another route.

I ended up back on the road and decided to take my chances with the traffic. Surprisingly it wasn't very busy. I noticed that some footpaths ran alongside the road, and gave one a try. Alas I didn't get very far as it was alongside a small lake on the other side, which was heavily swollen and the path was under water. So at this point I realized it was pointless to try footpaths and decided to stick with the road. At least I could stride on at a decent speed.

It rained on and off, so the brolly went up and down quite a few times. I had my jacket on but going uphill makes me hot so I took it off, then put it back on again later. The weather was so unpredictable. It went dark, it rained, the sun came out it stopped, then it started again while the sun was still shining. Some of the downfalls were quite heavy but only lasted a few minutes.

On and on I went along the road. Kirkstone Pass was up ahead, this is notoriously steep, I wondered if I could manage it. The traffic was still light, no lorries use this route because of the gradient. The Pass is a very long incline, getting steeper near the top. I adjusted my pace, slowed down and concentrated hard on my breathing. It seemed to take ages to get to the top. What magnificent views along the way, car drivers miss all that when they whiz along. Water was flowing freely downhill, gathering speed as it went.

Eventually I came into Windermere, I asked if there was a camera shop, but there wasn't. I walked on to Bowness, still no camera shop, sorry.

I really made my legs work hard today, and tonight they are a bit achey. I am in a B & B in Bowness, today's miles are slightly less at 15, due to that long hard haul up the steep hill. Only two blisters which have been popped and smothered in Germoline. I have been wearing a skirt, much more comfortable, even in the rain.

That's three days done, I hope the rain eases off, I'm getting a bit fed up of it. Breakfast is 8.30am then I'll be off again, will reach Kendal, and hoping for a few more miles past there.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

25 comments:

  1. https://www.wilkinson.co.uk/w/storelocation/kendal/
    Try this camera shop when you reach Kendal

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    1. Thank you for that. I've made a note of it on my map.

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  2. I admire your determination Ilona, it sounds like it's been tricky enough. Good luck with the rest of your trip, I hope the conditions pick up. Karen

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  3. That's a pain. And so are blisters. I hope the weather turns so you can enjoy the rest of your trip.

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  4. What a shame about the camera, you could have had some beautiful pictures, weather permitting ! The waterfalls sound lovely, I do love a waterfall. The weather has been just the same down here, but we've had some lovely rainbows. I do hope it clears up for you. Jean

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  5. No wonder you have such lovely legs!!,But sometimes,when the weather aint that great,its maybe
    safer to stay more local,maybe a 20 mile radius?,Just until the weather eases off a bit.Its just so unpredictable at the moment?..Hope that you have a good nights sleep,you deserve it!,Best Wishes,Debi,xx

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  6. Welcome to our Cumbrian weather.

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  7. Sometimes laying on the floor with my legs up the wall can help my legs relax.Hope the weather's a bit kinder tomorrow Ilona and if there's a shower there's a rainbow too x

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  8. I always take both my compact cameras when I go on a trip; one that works on two alcaline batteries, and one that works on a lithium battery. I also take a spare pair of alcaline batteries for the first one, and the charger for the second one. I do this after having once a very frustrating experience, being with no working camera at all while at a very 'photograble', important place.

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  9. Wow! You're really putting in some miles! I hope all"s better tomorrow, weather wise.

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  10. You are a trooper! I think I would have faded fast...but I am not used to rain.

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  11. Your photos are always lovely (especially the cat ones, the shed ones and the art ones), but I come to read about your thoughts and your life. It's lovely. Keep doing it. Take care.

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  12. I hope the weather is much better for you today. You're doing great considering what you've had to put up with so far. Fingers crossed you get your camera sorted. X

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  13. Checking in on Thursday morning. Watching the weather forecast on TV, looks like more of the same. Not raining at the moment but it is expected. Breakfast is not until 8.30am, a bit late, prefer it to be 7.30am.

    Boots are dry once more, hope they stay that way.

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  14. PS. I hope I can get my legs to work today. They have seized up a little. The third day is always the worst for aches and pains.

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  15. You are doing so well in te awfull weather. Here in Cleveleys the weather is starting to brighten up.
    Carolx

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  16. Hope you have some drier weather and sun shines. Sarah

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  17. If its any consolation the weather here in Mid Norfolk is rubbish for Mid Sept,on off rain and chilly brrr. We usually have pleasant going into Autumn sunny days, cooler nights but dry. Enjoying your descriptive days but do take care on those roads. Rae x

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  18. Grab some Kendal Cake Mint to rev yourself up!

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  19. Do hope weather improves, Ilona. Thanks for the posts, I am enjoying following along.

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  20. You are a very determined and brave lady. I do hope the weather improves for you so that you can enjoy the beautiful views. We went over the Kirkstone Pass and Hardknock Pass in the early eighties in an old mini. Found a bar called "The Hiker's Bar" which opened really early in the morning for Hikers and sold very, very strong alcohol!! I wonder if it's still there?!

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    1. There was a pub at the top but I didn't take much notice of its name.

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  21. A lovely road, we've driven it the other way, in honour of the late Rocky, a Patterdale...surprisingly small when you think how many Patterdales there are!

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  22. You are walking in one way of our favourite parts of the country. However, you have my sympathy about this stupid weather! I am fed up of getting wet through, spoils any walking I do. Hope the weather bucks up soon.

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