Cumbria Way – January 2024

The four areas to consider.

Organising an adventure is very similar to pulling a family holiday to warmer climates together. You need to consider, so many things like, travel, accommodation, food and costs.

Then, you move on to choice of walking and camping kit. If you go light weight or comfortable.

Then, what clothes do you take or how many!

Those that have followed my adventures would of noticed my approach is simple to follow. Just look back through the older posts and you will soon start to understand.

For those that do not wish to read backwards, you will soon read over the next few months, the level of thoughts that I consider. The training and then followed by the last minute problems. Last year had the biggest challenges and yet it was one of my most relaxed walks.

The Cumbria Way, seems to have the usual challenges and distractions.

Starting with each day, how far do I want to walk verse how far can my other adventures manage, this year I really want to include my assistance dog, Teal. I will need to gain permission from the Guide Dogs UK charity. They are responsible for the dog’s overall welfare and safety.

As my eyesight has diminished I have become to depend on her more. In 2023, She spent a few nights in a tent and walked with me, without to many hiccups. This part is easier to see than read. Keep an eye out for a video.

The top three points.

The next three bullet points will give you the flavour on my approach to the perfect trip.

Distance

• Total distance between locations divided by number of days away from home.

The way I approach this is to ask Mrs I’ and see her response.

Over the years, she has been amazing, each trip lasting as long as the last, each trip with the usual costs and yet. I always have an air of guilt, followed by the thought of can I finish a day earlier.

• Travelling too and from the start and finish.

For this trip, I also have to consider the commute and extra people. The Cumbria Way, is a days travel, and that is if the UK train service is not on another strike.

One couple that have said “may be” to coming and are thinking of driving up and back. On one hand this is amazing, then on the other we will then need to consider what happens to their car?

Do we leap frog, travelling back to pick it up, either each day or at the end of the walk. If we use it daily, we can ditch some kit, including food.

Budget

• Budget, accommodation, travel, food and beverages.

Cost, this is usually easy, I set one budget and keep to it. Aiming for the reasonable cost of £200 .

This excludes travel costs, they can vary from a few pounds to a huge cost of a taxi or train.

Accommodation costs, this is always on a budget, sharing a bedroom or bunk barn. Camping on a reasonable costed site or wild camping at the side of a remote hill.

Food and a beverage, is the luxury and what makes the trip fun. I love a dirty boozer and a friendly chat with a local. I use the trip as a chance to eat chocolate for breakfast and a tin of curry for my late afternoon snack.

Camp or Hostel

The Lake District has it all on offer. At this stage, ie. Before I’ve booked holiday from work or asked for confirmation from fellow adventurers, I am open to ideas and suggestions.

Nothing really, sells out six months ahead and if it does, there is the option of a wild camp!

I am planning on taking Teal, being as flexible on distances and time away. Plus, what if she rolls in poo!

My lack of night vision is something I really need to consider. Wild camping, sounds fabulous, yet I would need to rely on the long summer days and the shining moonlight. If the weather is dull and damp, then, both Teal and I would be happier spending the evening in a dry warm building. Possible with a bar and kitchen.

Teal and I sat on the beach at Woody Bay.

Your Time to Help

Please, keep reading the following posts. Your advice and support is appreciated. I am open to ideas, meeting up with other ramblers and definitely need a hand looking at both accommodation and kit.

Do you have an idea on accommodation, is there an air bnb or similar that would work with the walk?