Day 4 Grasmere to Patterdale

Weather: Sunny; Steps: 19717 Distance: 8 miles; Time: 5h30m; Calories out: 581; Blisters: nil!

Just a gentle 8 mile stroll today, albeit up and over Grisedale Hause, so we treated it as a 'rest day'! Chose not to do Helvellyn and Striding Edge, which was an optional extra (been there, done that, several times). In the searing heat as I watched others plod up the zigzag path on Dollywagon Pike I don't regret it. Though the views would have been fantastic. Tomorrow is said to be the hardest day, 4000 feet of ascent and 16 miles, so need to save myself for then.

Had some geological excitement as I found some lovely columnar jointing (like a mini Giants Causeway) on the path down the Grisedale valley. Found a loose chunk which I carried back down!

Got down to Patterdale just after lunch so sat by the river in the sunshine readiing, until disturbed by a Bull, his two wives and calves who waded across the river to see us. We beat a hasty retreat. Staying at the White Lion, which is a hub or walkers.

We keep meeting up with other people doing the C2C, either singly, in couples or small groups. Sometimes days go by and you've not met but then they appear at a later stage. I'm not sure how many set off at the same time as us but I guess at least a dozen. Moat seem well prepared but we have met some who have never done distance walking before, are unfit, unprepared and seem surprised at the hills!