DAY FOURTEEN

DAY FOURTEEN done

We woke just in time to go through to breakfast. There were already five People round the table. A couple from Germany who were cycling, a couple from Austraila touring, and a guy from university doing the lands end to john o grotes path. We had a good chat with everyone and wished them well on their journeys. I had to go back to the bedroom and peform a minor miricle and fit everything back into my bag, that had exploded all over the room like a volcano, the night before. 

Walking out of the village we stopped at the butches, the bakers, but not the candle stick makers. We bought some nice roast beef sandwiches and cakes. When I went to buy a cake I'd had no sooner set foot in the door before she asked what I wanted. I told her I was just looking at the moment as a cake choice decissions takes time. 

As we wakled out of the village we met a group of people completing the PW in nine days in aid of 'Hope for Heros'. We were impressed at their 33 miles a day but were glad we were taking a slightly longer time to appreciate the walk. This didn't however stop the competitive streak in Ash coming out as he insisted we overtook them on the official (longer) PW route, when it split with a choice of alternative directions. We were up the hill above them walking parallel. All the time Ash keeping an eye on them to make sure we were making ground on them. But then I got pins and needles in my foot and slowed to a more like hobble sprint as we fought to maintain our lead. Soon it was clear we were well ahead, as we crossed the road about half a mile ahead of them. Ash patted me and said "well done".

Over the next ridge we came across a lady with a wonderful dog called Ben. Ben was a big softie. He was black and White and fluffy and just rolled about on the ground and looked generally really content. We overtook her as she ate her lunch, and then she overtook us as we ate ours a mile ahead.

Today we really entered the thick of Kielder forest up a very steep and overgrown grassy path. Wildlife was everywhere as huge dragon flys zoomed past, a small orange frog hopped in the grass, and a long lizard bathed himself in the sunshine on the footpath. From here we skirted the edge of the forest before heading into a more managed part of the wood with heavy rubble roads and tree felling.

Yet more yapping dogs greeted us as we reached one of Kielders visitors spots. Fortunatelly we confused them by crossing a bridge. The last bit of todays journey was peaceful along the river with it's babbling brooks and wild flower banks. 

Kates tea room and the B&B were in sight, just one horrible steep drive way up to the house and we were there. Kate was knowhere to be seen at first as she hurried about helping other people. We sat down and breahed a sigh of relief to take our boots off.

We had had a good days walking today to have arrived by three thirty. This meant we were able to have a long cat nap before Kate kindly offered to make us some tea at seven. Zzzzzzzzzzz

We both had spicy soup for a starter, with enough butter provided for a whole loaf of bread. I then had a very nice lasagne, while Ash had a curry. Ash looked longingly at my fresh salad (since we had struggled to get much veg or fruit this trip) I gave him just one piece of radish. Ash later had starwberries and ice cream. His face lit up like a child who had been given the key to the sweet shop (He gave me just one strawberry).

By nine we were back in our room, and by eleven we had just about worked out how we were going to fit all the camping equipment into the bags and be able to carry them. Even taking only essentials we struggled, as we needed to carry alot of water. Lights out at eleven fifteen and before long Ash was snoaring and I was staring at the ceiling wishing to be sleeping.