Scafell Pike

The alarm went off at 5.25am as planned and we got up and sorted - made hot drinks and left Bess in the bedroom but I had doubts that she'd stay quiet in there for long, and Lewis confirmed in the evening when we returned that he had her in their bedroom not long after we'd left!

We drove over to Jack's house and got there bang on 6.30am as planned but he made us wait 15 minutes! Irritated me..but he'd not got in from the boxing event until 1.30am so fair enough. He went in the back and went straight to sleep and Tash slept in the front as I drove the next 2.5hrs up North and into the Lake District. 

The last hour of driving was painful as it was along these tiny, winding roads that just seemed so needless but then we were beside a lake and the views were stunning, I was in awe of people that were just pitched up and camping there, I definitely need to look up whether it's legal or not as it was beautiful.

We got to the car park and got sorted no problem and were on the move by 9.45am, even after 100yrds I was puffing and we had a stop a couple of times to remove layers as in the car park it was quite chilly but the walk was immediately upwards, and this was the theme for the whole hike, not once was there any level ground, it was steep uphill all the way. 

I was struggling to be honest, the sweat was pouring off me and I had to stop so many times, I just wasn't up to it, very disappointing to be so unfit, not good at all. Anyway, I trudged along slow and steady (ish) and as we progessed it got mistier as we ascended into the clouds and it got windier and colder. We were well prepared and got the layers out so it wasn't a problem, but seeing some of the people go past us I culdn't believe how little or flimsy clothes and walking shoes they were wearing.

We made it to the top after about 2.5hrs and took some photos of course and made our way down the way we came as we were on a bit of a time limit to get Jack back home as he had football in the evening but he wasn't looking forward to that as he was feeling the fatique too!

The descent wasn't too bad, but it was hard work on the knees, and we stopped at a decent point for some sandwiches and drink and then made it back to the car-park for a coffee, changeover of clothes and then back on the road to Manchester which was uneventful and they both slept again!

Got Jack back and said our goodbyes and wished him luck with footie and also a meeting with his business partners tomorrow as things aren't too rosy with R2R so there needs to be a meeting to clear the air and determine next plans there.

Tash drove to Lewis's and I got some zzzz's and we didn't spend too much time at his, said thanks and appreciated them having Bess for us, sounds like she got on well with the cats so that was a relief. I then drove us back down to Oxford and we got home and sorted around 9.45pm.

It's been a long but enjoyable weekend, we do push ourselves it has to be said, but well worth it as we're trying to live life to the max!!