C2C Day 5 - Shap to Kirkby Stephen

Compared to the last 3 days, this one will struggle to compete. But every day on the Coast to Coast is great, so more fun was in store. Leaving the lakes behind we cross the footbridge over the M6 and head for Kirkby Stephen. En-route we visit Oddendale, Orton Scar (we skirt past Orton itself), Sunbiggin Tarn and Smardale Bridge.

Most of the route is quiet moorland, with some points of interest on this limestone plateau such as the Oddendale stone circles, which to be honest we struggled to find ! Robin Hoods grave which we passed without realising (don't think it's really his anyway !) and the still and serene Sunbiggin Tarn - One for twitchers I think.

A night out in Kirkby Stephen ended up with group hugs all round ! One chap from America had walked from the railway station at Penrith all the way to St Bees to start his C2C - He now had to stop the coast to coast half way through as he had run out of time and had to return back to the US !! We also bumped into the infamous quagmire Colin (that's another story) - and the lovely Laura and her new friend who we seemed to meet up with quite frequently.

Earlier, one of our bags had failed to turn up at our B&B via the baggage transfer company - It was accidently left at the Crown & Mitre at Bampton Grange during the daily bag pick up. Thanks to the owner of the Old Croft House B&B - when he heard, he was straight on the case and Packhorse went to great lengths to make sure we got the bag back later that evening - they even sent us to the Black Bull whilst we waited - to enjoy drinks on them. We can't praise Packhorse or the Old Croft House enough - the B&B was one of the best we've ever stayed at too, so 'all's well that ends well' I suppose. There was quite a bit of beer downed that night !!