We woke early this morning and Tony arrived promptly and dropped us at Welwyn Garden City Station. The fast train to Kings Cross was on time and we were soon hurtling towards London. Rather than mess about on the tube we walked down Euston Road and made our way to the station.
Having bought a paper and the compulsory walking magazines for the journey a lucky spot by Dawn found us in the Virgin Trains 1st Class lounge!
A slightly surly look from the man on the door but we were soon enjoying coffee and pastries away from the hustle and bustle.
We found the train and had just settled into our seats when the ticket inspector came along and asked if we were coast to coasters! (Can't think how he could have guessed!).
I sincerely recommend shopping around for cheap 1st class tickets! Coffee was served almost immediately and the breakfast grill was very good (9 Ugs!) it would have been 10 but the bacon was slightly over cooked.
Lunch was good too! Coronation chicken, crisps, choc cake thing and washed down with Old Speckled Hen!
I was sure that the recorded train announcements changed from a London sounding bloke to a northern sounding lass as we progressed north. We were just wondering whether, if we stayed on the train as far as glasgow, the accent would change accordingly and almost burst out laughing when the next announcement was in a thick Scottish accent!
We had to leave the luxury of 1st class at Carlisle and caught the local train towards Whitehaven and Barrow-in-Furness, obviously hopping off at St. Bees. In better weather this journey would be spectacular as it travels right next to the sea. Today it was decidedly grey and the rain was lashing against the windows. Top half waterproofs donned, we walked the half mile or so towards the beach and our lodgings for the night - West Coast B&B - arriving rather soggy! The room wasn't quite ready as "the train doesn't normally get in until 4.30!". Not to worry, we say whilst sitting in the lounge hearing about the owners dogs, (one of which has a nasty ulcer) and her lovely new steam iron!
The room is basic but clean; we sorted our kit and the got rather wet walking back into St. Bees for something to eat. Dinner was at Queens in St. Bees (9 Ugs and a very reasonable £7.95 a head) and we have retired early as we have over 22km to walk tomorrow and it's going to be a wet day! Dawn checked the weather forecast and there are currently 23 flood warnings in force in the north west at present!
It's not really relevant tonight but future blogs will have a little section of headings for those of you who can't be bothered to wade through my waffling!
Weather - Wet
Blister Count - None!
Distance covered (day) - Lots but the train doesn't count!
Height gained -
Distance covered (total) -
Type of terrain covered -
High points - 1st class travel
Low points - Soggy arrival
Wainwrights - none
Accommodation - not bad, basic but functional.
That's all for now, thanks for looking; more tomorrow!
Matt & Dawn x
Published by Matt - 8.30pm. St. Bees
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