Coast to Coast - Day 5

Burnbanks to Orton - 11 miles

I had the deepest and best sleep last night and felt refreshed and energised to tackle the day. Two whole minutes into my walk I noticed a sign on a gate saying 'Camping' well bummer ... after a mini glare I carried on and simply enjoyed the views. I had my breakfast close to the Shap Abbey and only after I finished did I realise I was only 10 minutes from the village . I quickly got into a cafe and ordered 2 smoothies .... I can't tell you how much I craved something fruity and healthy. That's where I met Chris and Bracchan (dog with backpack) and shortly after the three ladies from Sussex, (Chris, Carole and Jackie) from yesterday . We all had a little laugh AND that's when the amazing trio asked me if I wanted to stay at the pub with them. I simply could have hugged every one of them as this was the only section that worried me about wild camping. We set off together and had a gentle stroll and a lot of chatter all the way to Orton. This was by far the shortest section with 11 miles and most definitely the least strenuous but so very lovely.

Leaving the Lake District and entering the Yorkshire Dales National park was sad and exciting as I'll miss the mountains but can't wait to finally see the Dales. The scenery was very different: the towering mountains were replaced by gentle hills, the lakes with ponds and the forests with fields and fields of farmland.

Sitting on a soft bed was lovely but having a hot shower just .... AAAAHHHH amazing. After a lovely walk in town we had the longest meal with a lot of stories to share and laugh at. It was by far the nicest evenings I had thank you all