The stats
- Day 6 - Bampton Grange to Orton - 11 miles (18km)
The verdict
It is another day of glorious sunshine as we set off across fields to rejoin the C2C route at Rosgill.
As we aim for Shap, we must pass through farmland, cross multiple stiles and look for landmarks. We get very disoriented at one point and almost start on the wrong path but we're saved by our Canadian friend who in his goodness, deliberately backtracks and calls out to us to show us the way. We are all very grateful to him. Once on the right track we spy the ruins of Shap Abbey and start on the gentle descent towards the ruins. I am incredibly nervous as we must pass through a field of grazing cows. My cow phobia courtesy of Cleator is compounded by news from 48 hours ago where a walker may well have been trampled by these very cows...
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| Picking my way across a muddy field |
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| The news from Shap... |
Fortunately the cows are huddled together at the bottom of the slope so I waste no time in walking briskly past on higher ground and don't pause until I'm safely separated from the beasts by a stone wall. The ruins of Shap Abbey are a slight diversion from the trail but it's a worthwhile stop. It is wondrous to think how such an impressive structure could have been built in the 13th Century and heartbreaking that it was so wantonly destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII three hundred years later.
We continue on the road to Shap and take a break at one of the local pubs along the main street, taking the opportunity to sit outside in the sun with a cool drink. Mum has arrived in London so we speak to her on the phone before she sets off on her cruise.
As we continue on the trail and leave Shap behind us, we turn back for one last glimpse of the Lake District. In the distance we can see the peak of Kidsty Pike which we were standing on just 24 hours before.
The trail takes us over the M6 and towards Oddendale where we catch up with a fellow walker and pause on the grass for some lunch. It's here that Dad discovers he has left one of his walking poles behind on the table at Shap, where it is destined to stay. It is a blow but at least now with the mountains behind us, it won't be missed as much. As it happens, today's walk is remarkably flat. It's fair to say that in our naivety the gentle undulating hills we're now walking across are what we thought the whole C2C would be like!
We four continue on the trail towards Orton, delicately detouring around a rather large Highland bull that chooses to scratch its neck against one of the C2C waymarkers. Happily it is too distracted to notice us rushing past. The rest of the day's walk is along clearly marked path through sheep grazing country and rather featureless moorland. We finally descend a gentle slope across more fields into the village of Orton, which is a gem of a place.
Unfortunately the gentlemen are too tired to seek out the local chocolate factory so we head straight to our accommodation. We are not disappointed however as it is the delightful Barn House. Our room is just gorgeous and we quickly conclude that this surely must be the yardstick by which all other B+Bs are measured. The house is homely and offers so many special touches that cater for guests' every need ranging from cookies in the room to scones with jam available in the common area on the landing, and even a foot massager in the comfortable sunlit conservatory.
Dad forces his sore blistered foot into his stiff leather dress shoes for the 10 minute walk into the village centre and winces in pain all the way. Dinner at the local pub is hearty and welcome and again we meet several of our fellow walkers. It is a slow return journey to Barn House after dinner as Dad hobbles back but at least we are rewarded with a warm and comfortable place to rest weary limbs before our last day of the walk tomorrow.
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| The ruins of Shap Abbey |
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| Our last view of the Lakes and the angular peak of Kidsty Pike |
The trail takes us over the M6 and towards Oddendale where we catch up with a fellow walker and pause on the grass for some lunch. It's here that Dad discovers he has left one of his walking poles behind on the table at Shap, where it is destined to stay. It is a blow but at least now with the mountains behind us, it won't be missed as much. As it happens, today's walk is remarkably flat. It's fair to say that in our naivety the gentle undulating hills we're now walking across are what we thought the whole C2C would be like!
We four continue on the trail towards Orton, delicately detouring around a rather large Highland bull that chooses to scratch its neck against one of the C2C waymarkers. Happily it is too distracted to notice us rushing past. The rest of the day's walk is along clearly marked path through sheep grazing country and rather featureless moorland. We finally descend a gentle slope across more fields into the village of Orton, which is a gem of a place.
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| The road into Orton |
Dad forces his sore blistered foot into his stiff leather dress shoes for the 10 minute walk into the village centre and winces in pain all the way. Dinner at the local pub is hearty and welcome and again we meet several of our fellow walkers. It is a slow return journey to Barn House after dinner as Dad hobbles back but at least we are rewarded with a warm and comfortable place to rest weary limbs before our last day of the walk tomorrow.
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