Day 1 The Howgill Fells and the Lune Valley

so here we are on our first day and its pouring rain....oh yiphee.  Nancy and I get ready.....2 running shirts, a yoga type jacket, and over jacket, walking pants, tights, my hiking boots with wool socks and plastic bags (my attempt to waterproof).  I figure if I can't be dry I might as well have lots of layers to soak up that lovely rain.  We head into the main building and no one is around so we wait for others to arrive for breakfast (can't remember when its suppose to start) we finally give up waiting and head up to the dining area for breakfast.  There we find everyone else who are almost done breakfast.  Breakfast goes on and on. we start at a side table that has a choice of porridge and 5 types of cereal, plus 3 or 4 types of fruit, we go sit down and on the table is toast, coffee, tea. Once we finish our cereal they come ask us if we want anything hot.  you can have bacon (our back bacon) sausage, blood sausage, eggs, beans, grilled tomato, smoked haddock. and who knows what else.  I skipped the hot breakfast the first day, then its pick up your lunch which consists of a sandwich which was pre ordered the night before, then you can add, veggies, fruit, nuts, choc bars, granola bars, crisps, and probably a few more things I've forgotten.  At 930 we are then off to catch the bus which takes everyone off to their various starting points. We get off at the side of the road in the middle of no were and off we go,  over hill and dell as they say.   The country side is beautiful, everything is so green, there are sheep everywhere and the fields are separated with stone walls.  one of the first things we see is a viaduct (stone train bridge) they are amazing. Unfortunately its raining so much there wasn't a lot of pictures being taken.  We walk along the River Lune which is amazing and running full force due to the rain.  The walk along the river is tricky, we are on a path through the trees, which is slippery and narrow, I am also soaked to the skin within the first hour.  About 11 we wander into a farmers yard and settle in his machinery Quonset for our coffee break.  I found a piece of equipment to lean against pull out my coffee and a snack.  I notice I have a poncho left from our bus tour in the bottom of my pack so I pull it out and put it on under my jacket.....keeps it from blowing around but also keeps the wind out.  The next part of the walk is better in that even thought the top half of me is still wet the rest isnt' to bad and the wind isn't making me cold.  Did I mention my Sowester,  my hat which Barb brought back as a gag gift from Nova Scotia,  the best thing ever, kept the rain off my head and with a toque under kept me nice and warm.  Anyway off we went again more hills more rivers and the nice stone walls every where had things called stiles which we had to climb over.  they are basically stones sticking out the walls that are used as steps to climb over  the walls.  between them and gates we must have climbed and wedged ourselves thru about 20 during that first day.  About 1 we came along a little barn which was were lunch was.  It was dark, with the floor covered with straw and some sort of poop,  sheep or cow I assume. so it was stand in the dark, do not put your pack down and try not to drop you lunch on the ground.  Then we are off again we are now taking a road as it is shorter.  Our next stop is a Quaker house which is kinda like their version of a church.  We get to go inside take off a wet layer and have the best cup of coffee I may have ever had.  There is a guy who sits with us and gives us the history of the place.  The best part of the day so far.  After a quick trip to a nice dry loo, (beats peeing in the rain) we are off again the rain is letting up a bit and I've starting chatting with some of my fellow walkers and next thing you know we come over a hill and are back at the hotel.  The ritual is then to take your wet boots and clothes to the boot room, which is a room set up with heaters specifically to dry out the boots and wet clothing.  Even the experienced English people with their water proof over trousers, waterproof coats and leather boots are soaked thru.  It them back to the room for a nice hot shower and rest.  About 6:15 its back to the main building for drinks and a visit.  About 7 we get a review of what the walks are for the following day, and the weather forcast (still rain but not as heavy, and gayle force winds).  Supper is then served.  choice of appetizer, main course and dessert all which are amazing.  then back downstairs for coffee/tea and a bit of chocolate.  The evening entertainment  is a couple games which are designed to get us to work in groups and get to know each other. Then its off to bed.  Looking back a pretty dam good first day. get the worst over with and the rest will be awesome lol
traveled about 7 squishy miles

one of many stone bridges we seen and crossed

view thru the rain of the bigger hills some of the others are walking on, also a few of the thousands of sheep we seen

Another little bridge we used to get across