Day 1 short report. Today I: was impressed by the punctuality and ease of using the trains, that ticket will be the best value purchase all trip; enjoyed whistling the Great Escape theme tune (not from you dear!); nearly had a Neil Kinnock moment when trying to photograph my boot dipping ritual; started walking at 11:22; should have worn suncream and my shorts, it’s been a glorious sunny day; had lunch in Fleswick Bay; nearly fell on slippy rocks getting down there; picked two pebbles and decided to call them Eleanor and Rebecca.

The photos show Fleswick cliffs and nearby name carvings – but I didn’t see a Wainwright or a Bradbury for that matter.

I also didn’t see any obvious fellow Coasters – unless disguised as dog walkers or bird watchers – until near Stanley Pond when I passed an American trio (with an unhappy looking teenage? daughter?), the dad? was on the mobile already rearranging much closer first night accommodation. My mileage today was 11.2, over a hugely dawdled 4 hrs 40 mins, so I arrived at the Parkside hotel just after 16:00, only to see the owner drive up with the US family minus the ‘daughter’. I’ll maybe find out later over a pint!
Tea was fish and chips from Sproatys in Cleator Moor, excellent.

Overall a fantastic first day – the coastal parts were superb. Bring on the lakes! (I’m getting in some early appreciation in the form of a couple of pints of Ennerdale Blonde).