Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now

Posted bynickletjogPosted inPreparation

C2C – Day 1: Saturday 2 April – ST BEES to SANDWITH (and return inland to St Bees) (8 miles)

Ready for the off!

Well, it is great to be walking at last, after all the weeks of planning! An early start today from Rob and Christa’s, saw our excitement mounting as we drove through the Lake District, before arriving at noon in St Bees on the Cumbrian coast.

We had decided to walk the first few miles of the C2C Walk, the cliff-top section northwards up the Irish Sea coast, a day earlier than planned, partly as a warm-up for the tougher walking of the days ahead and also to reduce the length of tomorrow’s trek. With the fine spring weather this circuit proved to be a wonderful afternoon’s walk in its own right, and a chance for Christa to share the start of the journey with us.

Tim, Christa, Rob and I, happily contemplating the miles ahead
C2C tradition has it that you paddle in the Irish Sea, before selecting a pebble to transport cross-country to the Yorkshire coast.
St Bega, an Irish princess, fled to these parts at an indeterminate date during the Dark Ages to avoid betrothal to a Viking lord – here apparently she lived a life of ‘exemplary piety’, whilst giving her name to St Bees and ushering hikers on their way eastwards
Four glorious miles of coast walk . . .
. . . along to St Bees Head Lighthouse
This beautiful red sandstone, quarried here, has been used to build the Anglican cathedrals of Carlisle and Liverpool
Rare white bluebells by Rottington Beck, on our inland return to St Bees
Dinner at The Manor, in their aptly-named bar . . .
. . . and now time for bed!

5 thoughts on “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”

  1. What a fabulous start to your C2C walk. Great photos and history lesson Nick. Looking forward to your daily updates.
    Carol and Tim

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment