C2C: Shap to Sunbiggin Farm

 

Was cold in the night and didn’t sleep very well, despite the long day. The regular high-speed trains and freight trains hurtling by just behind us didn’t help! However, by morning time my legs (inc knees) had completely recovered from the day before - huzzah!

Had a communal breakfast, chatting to the other walkers, and were off at a leisurely 9.30-ish. Bought more sun screen, which is good as we needed loads today (and my face still managed to become lightly roasted due to copious perspiration). 

Morning stretches before departure!

Lime factory just outside Shap - not currently in use.

Crossing the M6

Past the M6 the terrain changed to open moorland, with some natural limestone paving here and there. 

Lots of meadows full of tall buttercups and clover in the last couple of days, crammed in among the grasses. The Lake District has lots of foxgloves but we’d left those behind us. There were far-reaching views and blue skies. It was lovely, but we were just too hot. By the time we arrived in Orton (our lunch stop) at about 1.30 I was boiling hot and sweaty. 

On the home straight, about to descend into Orton

On arrive schwitzend a Orton

Collapsed into the Orton Scar Cafe to cool down and have lunch. My feet had obviously got a fair bit bigger in the heat as I was having a problem with the dreaded toe, for the first time ever in these large walking shoes. 

We sat for an hour or so and then out our packs back on to walk another few miles to Sunbiggin Farm, which offers food and basic camping facilities. Idyllic, peaceful setting. A very nice farmer called Andrew. No shower so we washed off in a bucket. Had a lovely chicken curry from his freezer and went to bed quite early. It’s due to be 25 degrees tomorrow so we’re getting up at six to try and get the walking done before it gets too hot. He’s making us a sandwich to take with us. We have the whole camping area to ourselves. He’s got several lovely dogs, including a border terrier who came and sat on my feet as we talked to him.

Our private campsite for two. Unfinished shower block/bunkhouse behind us.