We spent a restful night at the New Ing Inn in Shap and got an early start on Friday, June 2, to head for Orton.

We have left behind the beautiful fells of the Lakes District and are entering the rolling hills of eastern Cumbria. I’m going to miss the Lakes District, it was breathtaking…in every way you can understand that word. And the first thing we did on today’s walk was walk over a freeway. Gosh, we haven’t seen a freeway for a couple of weeks.

But immediately after crossing the freeway, we entered a large sheep field and by chance met the owner/shepherd. A wiry and very friendly man named Edward, he told us about the sheep and the land we would be crossing. When asked if he objected to all the walkers crossing his land, he responded, “Walkers are welcome, just respect the land.” Edward had traveled to Australia and New Zealand and he told us that when he returned his friends in the pub had asked about his trip. “Ah,” he replied, “it was a long way to go for a different bit of green.” Edward was fairly short, but he had the hands of a man twice his size. They were very large and very strong looking. A man who makes his living using his hands. Let me introduce you to Edward.

It is amazing to us how quickly the landscape changed. This picture is looking back at the Lakes District and Kidsty Pike in the center. We were on top of Kidsty Pike just yesterday.

And this is looking ahead to rolling hills of eastern Cumbria.

As we walk through meadows and fields we came across a couple of these limestone fields. Very interesting.

There were mown fields, unmown fields, and fields left to grow wild, which were bright yellow with buttercups and other wildflowers. And LOTS of sheep.

And occasionally a small copse of trees. So pretty.


This was another reminder to walkers to drink their water.

We have been told that you can tell the age of a dry stone wall by the amount of moss it has on it. This must be a really old one.

These are Marsh Orchids which are growing wild in the fields.

Our Sheep of the Day are Buttercup 1 and Buttercup 2 standing in a field of…buttercups.

We have seen many signs, posters, and flags celebrating the coronation, but this is the first artistic lawn-mowing we have seen in the shape of a Union Jack.

The little church in Orton was involving the whole community in a “Celebration of 100 Years of Disney.” All over town were figures dressed up like Disney characters competing for top prize. Here are just a few of the many we saw. The following pictures include these characters (not in order): Yoda, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, and Ariel. See if you can match the name with the picture.

 

We made it to Orton and The George Hotel.

Today’s miles: 8.4. Total miles so far: 68.53. Remaining miles: 121.47

God bless,
Coe