goodyandstevec2c

View from our apartment in Amstel looking towards Amstel River

Beautiful Bridge with in Amsterdam

We arrived in Amsterdam late on Sunday evening. Steve was off to work the following day and I pottered about getting things in order and cycling about between showers of rain. The first week was interesting. I would ride most of the way to Steve's work in the morning and then make my way back trying to buy some groceries on the way home. The problem is that the streets change their names and they seem to run in semi circles not very helpful to the navigationally challenged. It took me three hours to come home in the rain on the bike one day so decided to buy a good map and a local mobile phone for contact. Found a gym not too far away and have attended 1x yoga class and 1 x aerobics. Steve was very unwell on one day and stayed home, I also was not to well, no doubt catching his virus, such is life. The public transport system is wonderful and runs on time and is user friendly. We are about 10minutes from Amsterdam central by transport or bike. Bikes are everywhere and they are our best friends, they came with the apartment, how handy. Just about everyone speaks English and they all seem very friendly. The weather leaves a bit to be desired at present but apparently it is like this all over Europe at present. The first weekend we pedalled about with Steve pointing out things of interest and then we went up the spire of the Westerkirk were we got a fantastic view over Amsterdam. The queue for Ann Franks' house was to long so will do this the next weekend. Saw a recital by three Peruvians, a harpist, female singer and a baroque guitar played in a boat on the river all for ten euros. Then of to a Turkish restaurant for dinner. The next day will be described on the next frame.

Gody watching Detlev prepare the feast - a greek pork kebeb - Schmakt sehr gut !

Goody, Werner, Edith and Kristal

Ingrid, Sven and Goody

Of the Germany after handing in the car at Stanstead Airport. A bit of drama at the airport. First I left my bag with passport etc in the car, luckily Steve managed to retrieve this. I was feeling a little stressed with this episode. Then we were questioned about the contents of Steve's backpack, it had to be scanned due to its odd shape. We relized what they were asking about was Hermann's ashes. I thought not now after coming all this way. I said that it was my father and they responded in a very British manner being most apologetic saying sorry luv and waved us through. Then onto our relatives in Germany, Tom, Swanjtes boyfriend picked us up from the airport and drove us to Hamburg were Siegbert picked us up. We arrived at Cristel and Siegberts place about 8pm. The next day we spent taking it easy as Steve had an awful cold. The following day Swantje arrived, we had lunch and then headed of to the farm for the final party. We had coffe and cake and then a bbq. Lots of relatives attended and it was wonderful to catch up with everyone. It was then time to see Hermann off so nearly all the realatives came along and we sent Hermann of with roses thrown in after the spreading of the ashes and then we all sang a German sailers song. The whole thing was videoed so we could show this back home. We returned back to the farm and drank a toast of Schnapps to Hermann. I gave a little speech in German. It was a really fitting way to see Hermann off, he would have loved it. It was hard to leave all the relatives after such a short time but Amsterdam awaits. Hopefully we will see them again before we leave.

Tim and Steve outside the pub near Oxford Circus where Tim is the chef !!

We farewelled our friends on the Monday and after a long day driving arrived at Racheal Allans B & B in Brockley on the outskirts of London. A warm and friendly English born ex pat from Aussie. Plays the violin for the orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall which is showing Swan Lake at the moment. She has a 15 year old boy called Ben. Tim came out to the flat the following day as we thought it might be easier than finding him. Showed him photos of the walk and then went into London as Tim had not been on the London Eye and we thought it would be fun. It gives a great view of London and it is almost like flying without getting into a plane. A little slow though. The rest of the afternoon we spent walking about Hyde Park, visited the pub were Tim works and of course sampled a drink. It has the most amount of on tap beers in the whole of London. Tim is the cook! We then took in an Italian meal and went to see The Lion King, it was very spectacular. About the only thing comparable in price to Aus. otherwise everything is very expensive. Tim was back at work the next day so we only got to see him briefly again when we met Kelly's friends Emily and Cassie who wanted to see were Tim works. We had a lovely meal with the girls and called Kelly and all had a chat. All in all a good catch up and great to see Tim.
Tim and Goody near Hyde Park

Sunday 17th June 07 Our last day of walking Misty rain and sunshine at times 18-22)C 19 miles or 30.5kilometres.

This walking is getting easier and easier. Did I say that? We decide to take a more direct route as all members are weary. We bump into Nic and Roger again at morning tea time and just as we head of again we see this wonderful old steam train, in its heyday it was the fastest train, a real old beauty - what a treat. Hilly countryside and very pretty, a shame just to be passing through. A lot of the roads 1:25 and 1:30 gradients. We trudge again over moors and boggy marshland and make it into Robin Hoods Bay around 3.30pm- which gives us time to celebrate- Yahoo!
David managed to buy a bottle of bubbly and we all head for the water to throw in our pebble and wet our feet. Carole wants to douse us all in water but is restrained and only splashes us a little. She jumps about in the water like the Mum from the add about the wheatbix. We all have a swig of the champagne bottle and savour the moment with a great feeling of satisfaction that we all achieved our own personal best, conquered a few doubts and last but not least had a wonderful time with 6 other individuals who made the whole thing worthwhile. We head back up the hill to Wainwrights Bar and have a well earned drink (yes I know another one). We meet the Black Widow (Olga) and congratulate her on completing the walk. We have dinner at the local pub drink a schnapps to remember Hermann (my Dad)as he has made the journey with us. Then we go outside to the back of the shops and pubs and light up some firecrackers which looked very effective. The few locals who looked out to see who was making all the noise also appreciated it. A fitting end to a wonderful time.

A dry day after 3 soaking ones.

Some friends we met along the way

A panoramic view from the moors

Saturday 16th June 07 18.5miles or 29.5kilometres Cloudy with showers 16*C
Lyn and I take the car and have a lovely morning exploring the countryside. We see a deer, a hedgehog and lots of birds, have morning tea at a quint spot in Killdale. We navigate our way successfully to meet the others for lunch at the Lion Inn at Blakey. We meet the Black Widow (a fellow aussie who is walking alone) and ask if she has seen our lot, she feels they are not far behind and she is right. Our morning walkers meet up with Elizabeth and David and Roger and Nic pictured. Marilyn and Carole take over the car and take it onto Robin Hoods bay which is were we will finish. It has been dry all morning which has been a blessing.
David, Alan, Steve, Lyn and I set of accross the moors with beautiful views overlooking the valley floor below. The Heath is just about to come into full flower and looks wonderful. We do get wet with a shower or two over the afternoon but nothing much.
What do you know another gastronomic feast waits for us at the Arncliffe Hotel Restaurant. This Cheff is first class, say no more. We stop upstairs as our friends Roger and Nic wish to bid us fairwell and buy us a drink as they feel they will not see us again.

Across the Moors in the pouring Rain

Friday 15th June 07 10-14*C Rain and wind 4" of rain in one day, reported floodings not far from this area.

What a day, it rained ++, windy++ and misty. We all got absolutely drenched despite our best rain gear. 5 hills to climb, fortunately the path was clearly marked with cobblestones nearly all the way. The weather actually suits the moors and gave great atmosphere although we did miss out on some terrific views apparently. We came upon this little coffee shop almost burried in the hillside and were at least able to stop for some lunch soup and hot tea. We apologized for dripping all over the place but they never seemed to mind. It was just wonderful to have this opportunity to stop and have a break before tackling the wet again. I think it made the day. We all were in high spirits and despite the weather had many laughs. Carole, Alan, Steve and I stayed in a quaint B & B with two older hosts who made us so welcome and it felt like family by the time we had left. Their names are Margaret and Len Sutcliffe of Ingle Hill B & B.They had a most beautiful garden. We all met for tea at the Jet Inn and enjoyed another night of good company - hope it does not rain to much tomorrow.

The longest walk of the trip 37 Km !!

Thursday 14th June, 07. 37kilometres or 23 miles Raining on and of most of the day 18*C

Steve and David tackle the whole distance successfully with only aching feet to show for their efforts and the satisfaction of having made it. Lyn, Carole and Alan spend the morning looking about Richmond wich is a very large and historical town. They look over the old castle that stands on top of the hill. Packhorse the people who transport our luggage daily give them a lift for the first 10miles and they walk the rest of the way. Carole seems to think this wet weather is great for the blisters and sore feet as nothing is causing any concerns. Maralyn and myself spent a most frustrating day trying to retrieve the car from Kirkby Stephens. Not easy since we have to go across the country. After several attempts and wrong information we decide to give packhorse a ring and yes they can take us but not till 5pm today. So Marilyn and I look about Richmond Castle and then we remember seeing a sign for a reflexology practitioner. We head of thinking how wonderful this would be only to find out that this wonderful person is on maternity leave (what was she thinking). We manage to book some time on the internet and entertain ourselves with this and watching the locals. We are late into Kirkby Stephens to pick up the car. I am not the best at directions at any time or place so poor Marilyn did not get much help from me, however, somehow we managed to arrive at our destination at the exact time that they were serving dinner which happened to be roast beef and yorkshire pudding, how appropriate in the middle of Yorkshire Dales. The accommodation at the Park House was wonderful and the people made you feel right at home and so did Oliver their big rottweiler dog.

The first Wet Day of the walk

Wednesday Thirteenth of June 07 17.5kilometres or 11 miles 18*C and raining all day.
An easy days walk, a couple of hills. Walked through fields with a very large bull present who was eyeing us of. Carole and I made a very hasty exit and poor Dave who was a little later had to climb the fence as the bull was now in front of the gate. Very pleasant morningtea at a farmhouse on the way. It seems our reputation preceeds us as we were greeted with "oh you are the 7 aussie?". We arrive very wet at Pottergate B & B. We enjoy a nice indian meal in the evening to warm us up after being wet all day. Looks as though the weather has set in, never mind it looks different in the rain.

Wild flowers carpetting the way from Keld

Typical Dales scenery on the way to Reeth from Keld

Tuesday 12/06/07 18*C cloudy 11 miles or 17.5kilometres
A gentle walk across fields and along the valley floor. Met an old yorkshire man who told us that the farmers who worked in the lead mines nearby many years ago were all given a plot of land and one cow each. These farmers put up dry stone walls and build a small building for themselves and their cow. So the landscape is doted with squares of dry stone walls and now empty small buildings. The fields are covered with wildflowers, some farmers are encouraged to let their fields return to their natural state for the sake of tourists and are given financial incentives to do so. A bit bizzare when their are starving people in the world, however, they do look wonderful as you can see. We stopped at Gunnerside for a traditional plowmans lunch which did not disapoint. I even got an extra Bailey's which I had not ordered to compensate for the fact that I had to wait for my ham sandwich till all the other plowman lunches were given out. Walked the rest of the way very happy. Met up with Roger and Nic again having ice cream. Roger is a vet and Nic is a gp. Both over 60 years and poor old Nic could do with some surgery to his knees. Says he does not know a good surgeon. All credit to them though, they may be a little slower than us but always get there in the end. Manage to get onto the e-mail system so send of some info and receive some also. The town of Reeth is set on top of a hill with mountains all about very spectacular. The clouds are building up in the background, not looking good.

The Nine Standards
Monday 19/06/07 26*C sunny. 13 miles 20kilometres

A hot easy walk up a long long hill that climbs gradually to the top were we see the Nine Standards. No one seems to know their history other than that they have been there for a very long time. David seems to think it a fitting place to do a little Morris dancing so we all oblige in a very peculiar fashion which is now recorded on the movie for all to witness. I am sure we are becoming more loopey as the days go buy. Now we enter the Dales (you know James Herriot country). Across the moors and peat boggs and yes despite being dry and sunny the boggs are wet and dirty. We are delighted to find a local farm has set up for afternoon tea and delight in a cuppa and scones. They had dead moles hanging by their nose from a fence not far away, apparently they spread listeriosis to the local live stock and their is a bounty of 5 pounds per mole. Hanging them up is a tradition to show that the mole catcher is doing his job properly. Ruben the three year old proudly announced after Mum carefully telling us the way they trap them;"that then we bang em"! Poor Mum, a little embarrassed. Ruben was most helpful though and helped Mum bring out the afternoon tea. Not such a long walk to our accommodation, Kearton Country Lodge. What a delight this place is. In a wonderful setting all services laid on, wonderful meal and attention to detail. Gee it helps get you up and going when you have a comfortable place to stay and start the day in pleasant surrounds with a tasteful breakfast.

Orton to Kirkby Stephen
Sunday 10/06/07 12 miles or 19 kilometres

Heather and Louie take us back to Orton to begin our walk through fields containing endless styles to get over, each one a little different and some more squeezy than others. Met David about half way as he has walked from the other direction after getting back from his family visit. Alan rescued a disoriented dog and steered him back in the direction of his owner's, they seemed reluctant to come after him. We felt like yelling have you done the coast to coast? We all had a very peaceful day walking not to taxing and interesting scenery. We stayed in a delightful B & B went to a local pub called the Black Bull at Brough Sowerby. There were some gypsys at the table next to us and we enjoyed their prescence. We also saw some gypsys camped on the side of the road, probably returning from the horse fair.

Shap Abbey

09/06/07 Saturday 21kilometres or 13 miles. Sunny 24*C slight breeze.

Steve, Carole and Alan set out on their own to walk and have a thoroughly enjoyable day mostly flat and through fields and flower meadows. David went of to visit relatives in England and Marilyn, Lyn and myself take ourselves of to Penrith a large town nearby. We go by local bus and enjoy being one of the locals of to do their shopping. They all seem to know one and other and are very helpful to the elderly or frail. The family dog comes along to. Marilyn stays all day in Penrith, while Lyn and I try to get to the Appleby Horse Fair. Not so easy, any transport goes up and down the country but to get 10miles across the country is another question. We give up the idea as by the time we get there we would have to turn around and come back. I hear from other locals that it is really something to see, more the gypsy people than the horses. Glad I didn't go though as they drowned a horse accidently on the day we would have been there. So after a bit of shopping and a decent cuppa we headed back by bus to Shap and relaxed at the B & B and looked about the local town. We all came together for yet another great meal at the Greystokes Pub. They train young people in the hospitality industry here and it shows with a very high standard.

Day 5

08/06/07 Friday. 17kilometers or 11 miles. Sunny 24*C clear.

Well - the books report a climb not to hard then an easy 5 miles around the lake. The book has to be kidding! A long gradual climb, very hot and then over a ridge and deep into the valley floor. One has to take a minute here however, simply to marvel at our wonderful lunch spot on top of a mountain ledge with a sheer drop into the valley on the other side. The meer sight of David hopping about the edge makes poor Lyn weak in the knees. We continue with a walk along the reservoir edge but not at all flat and quite rocky. It was difficult to tell which direction to go. The vistas continue to impress and we do meet a very friendly little red squirrel. We arrived at Burnbanks around 5pm. We had to wait about 40 minutes for the people from our accomodation to collect us. Heather and Louie win the prize for hospitality but their accomodation was ordinary. The Greystokes Pub down the road presented a gastronomic feast second to none. So we immediately booked for the following night as we stay at this accommodation for 2 nights. Funny how hungry you get when you walk all day. Hope the waistline is not expanding, definately not a weight loss holiday.

07/06/07 Thursday. 13.5kilometres or 8.5miles.

A less demanding day for some. A enjoyable walk over a gradually increasing rise to 2000metre rise then over the top and into a valley, very beautiful. The day is around 22*C clear and sunny and again we can see for miles ahead. Steve and David head of for the more demanding climb up striding edge (pictured). The rest of us get into Patterdale early around 3pm for which we are all grateful as some of the feet are causing concerns. We have a lovely cool drink and then of to our respective BandB's to relax and get cleaned up while we wait for the two intrepid explorer's to return. Dinner at the White Lion hotel very tasty especially Lamb Henry. We all strolled over to Marilyn and David's BandB and looked through our photo collection so far from the walk on the computer. Elizabeth and David a wonderful English couple in their 70's that we keep bumping into also enjoyed them.
There is only one more day of the Lakes district and then onto the Yorkshire Dales. It will be hard to match the Lakes District for pure splendur. I think we will all really appreciate Carole's efforts in filming and hopefully this will give a true picture of this districts beauty. Not to sure about the crazy people that keep appearing in the film.

Wednesday 06/06/07. 9miles or 14.5 kilometers.
Oh! the feet. Never mind that, onwards and UPwards. A steep climb up Green Up edge to a superb 360* view on top. The weather is fine and sunny around 20*C and we can see down and over all the hills that stretch out before us, how lucky are we to get such a clear day. Lyn and I opt for the valley path while the others take to the ridge. We cooee each other and wave although the distance is great. Lyn and I meet many locals along the way all exhausted from the heat. We meet our district nurse friend John again and chat about the last 24 hours. We arrange to meet everyone at Goody Bridge. As Lyn and I have time to spare we trot into Grasmere and find a delightful book shop. Find a lovely little book of Wordsworth poems with illustrations of the local area. We find the book A Life of Pie for Marilyn. We spend a pleasent time parked under an old oak tree reading and reciting poetry from Mr. Wordsworth's collection while we wait for the others only to be told by fellow walkers that they already ensconsed in the local having a drink. We join them and enjoy a great meal with freindly natives. We go back to a local hotel and show everyone Hermann's cd. from the funeral. Another wonderful day comes to an end. The scenery is just breathtaking.

Day 2 of the walk Enerdale Bridge to Rossthwaite 14.5miles or 23kms Weather fine and sunny 24*C.
We rise and although not quite shining happily set out to walk the day ahead. A lovely sunny day with a cool breeze. A long walk beside a huge lake called Ennerdale Water and then across fields and forest. The setting is magnificent and the contrast of the different landscapes makes this a most memorable day. I know everyone was taking lots of photo's. We meet a chap walking on his own who is a district nurse from Lancaster. Then it is over the valley wall and up another huge climb and onto Honnister Slate Mine. I scurry ahead, a very rare occurance, to purchase a little slate otter from the shop and to order us all a cup of tea as they were about to close. The end of the day saw Alan and Carole getting lost in one direction, Steve and Marilyn in the other and David sitting happily drinking at the local wondering where we all got to. Lyn and I seemed to managed the last part without any wrong turns. We gather together for a great meal and then a taxi takes us to our accom in Keswick. We all have tired feet and plan to buy some aides eg. walking sticks and blister packs before we head of for the day.