C2C day 6 Bampton to Orton
I had really friendly service at Mardale Inn yesterday, and a very comfortable night. Breakfast also was very nicely done with a selection of cereal and fruit to help yourself too plus cooked breakfast. Not so friendly this morning though. Polite, but not like last night. Anyway big surprise my dreams had come true, it looks like a lovely day! Just as well too as somewhere up in the hills in the high wind and rain my back pack cover and blown away, unbeknown to me untill I started unpacking a soggy back pack yesterday, very thankful that I had used a plastic bag inside so that my clothes were dry.
Some sun and clouds and a little warmer, high of 16 expected. So no waterproof trousers today, and though I started with my rain jacket on for warmth, I took it off on route.I practically skipped out the door and was on my way. I got going early as it looked so nice out… And because the rain is supposed to return later this afternoon!! Nice little lanes to walk through the village and Bampton Grange, then I turned into the church yard and to the left of the church the path leads across fields. I saw many sheep – as usual – and many different stiles and gates as I crossed the fields.
At about 5.6k I could see Shap abbey across the fields and walked down to have a look at the ruins (quite a bit of the outer wall remains but that’s all). I them wandered up the lane to Shap (7.5k). Shap is quite small, and I wanted to get on, so I walked through and down a very narrow overgrown path that led to more fields. I could see the footbridge across the M6 motorway from here and felt quite excited to cross it! Very noisy though compared to most of my walk.
Just after that you go past a big quarry with lots of danger warning signs plus some information about the quarry. I had thought it may be an ugly area to walk through, but it was pleasant walking, and not much mud so far! At this point you are on Crosby Ravensworth fen with views for miles around. There is also a pile of stones in this section that is Robin Hoods grave. Well it almost certainly isn’t but it is one of the many purported grave sights, and quite a dramatic setting on the wild fens. After crossing the fells at about 18k there just remained to walk through some fields and lanes towards Orton.
The weather was still good but I could see the clouds gathering ahead so hurried on to my major destination of the day, Orton chocolate and coffee shop (21k 5hrs). I spent quite a bit of time in the cafe/shop, there are lovely cakes and scones and savoury items as well as all the chocolates. It was raining now, but I only had to pop next door to the George hotel. I had a wander through the very pretty village first, then checked in for the night. It was quizz night in the pub and a small friendly crowd. I had a pub curry and a local beer, both very tasty then headed off to my room, which was quite big with a narrow ensuite bathroom. Very comfortable and a great area for a sort out ready for tomorrow, for which the forecast a return of the rain.
