We woke up at around 5.30. I had an awful night's sleep and was awake half the night as the mattress was springy and sunk down in the middle (uncomfortable) and I was itchy (probably due to wearing the same clothes since the start of the walk without washing them). Tom and Chris didn't sleep much better and we were all keen to get going and get out of the bunk house. It was raining when I went downstairs to go for my morning dump before leaving making me slightly more thankful that we stayed in the bunk house rather than camping. Thankfully when we actually left at around 6.30 (still dark) the rain had stopped. Very soon we were faced with crossing some very boggy fields with some massive puddles (still in the dark). This was slow going even when the daylight arrived. After a few fields we were faced with a unpassable puddle - it took up the entire width of the path and soon discovered it was too deep resulting in wet feet (tom going knee deep at one point to me and Chris's amusement). So we walked back a short distance to a gate and decided to go over the gate into the field that ran next to the path. This was passable but it stank. Shortly later we were presented with another challenge - a stream with no bridge. There were two options - take off the boots and wade across or try and climb across a tree that was at the edge of the stream. None of us wanted to take our boots off so we opted for the tree. This was very tricky as the branch was just too far for me to reach get a decent grip, not helped by slippery bark on the tree. I went to see if there were any other easier trees to cross - there weren't. Chris being the tallest went first and managed to grab the branch and get across OK (just having a little trouble squeezing through the gap in the branches with his massive bag. I went next and opted for a different approach involving shimmying along another branch on my bum which was fine except for getting a wet bum. Tom went last. He chose Chris's method and looked OK at first managing to jump and grab the branch/get into position. He then however hit his head against a branch and the boots dipped in the water (he did well not to fall in). We had all got across and this had been a welcome change from just walking. Tom had suffered a small cut around his eye as a result of hitting the tree so we treated this before moving on. We were aware that these obstacles had slowed us down on an already massive day so we pushed on at a good pace. We got to a petrol station just before Ingleby Arncliffe and got food here (this was the last place until Lion's Inn which probably meant the food we bought now would have to last us near enough 24 hours. With some very careful deliberation with the very limited choice of food and our very tight budget we went with some plain bread rolls, tin of luncheon meat, flapjacks, chocolate for Chris and Tom and a pack of cookies for me. We were now in survival mode, rationing food and only stopping for minimal food breaks and to check the map. On our way out of Ingleby Arncliffe we walked up a track through a wooded area which was a nice change from fields and road. Around here we spoke to a pair of middle aged women who were also doing the coast to coast walk. They were aiming to get to Lion's Inn by the end of the day (or plan was to get to somewhere before Lion's Inn suitable for camping and camp). This spurred Chris on to try and get to Lion's Inn as he thought if two middle aged women could manage it then so could we. Anyway the path was hard to follow in a few places and we ended up going the wrong way which slowed us down again but eventually we were back on track and thankfully for the rest of the day the path was easier to follow. After what was probably about a 10 minute lunch break we pushed on at a very good pace. Soon later we got our first glimpse of the North Sea - the end was in sight which gave us all a lift. The wind was strong high up which didn't help matters and we were ascending and descending hills for a while. After going up and down maybe 4 or 5 hills we checked the map and I had a rare moment of genius looking at the map (spotting a path that ran alongside some trees that stayed roughly at the same level). This was a far easier and quicker option than the marked route which would have meant going up and down more hills and being exposed to the wind. My treeside path was a great detour as as well as covering the miles much more quickly it was a nice track looking down onto the wooded area. After smashing the treeside path, we then went up a hill and were onto what was like a massive neverending plateau, similar to the grouse territories from previous days but with a wider easier to walk on path. I think it was about 4pm when we had our first break on the plateau. There did not look like any decent ground for potential camping which was a bit concerning. Then Chris looked at a wildlife sign saying you shouldn't camp on the plateau because of Adders and sheep ticks and there was nothing but plateau until Lion's Inn meaning that we HAD to get to Lion's Inn. This quickened our pace as we didn't want to be walking in the dark and wanted the relentless walking to be over. We were knackered and stopped for a 5 minute break every hour. As darkness approached it started to get very cold and this again upped the already fast pace we were setting. Just before it got completely dark we saw the light of Lion's Inn which was a massive relief. We finally made it to Lion's Inn at around 7.30 after what must have been a 30 mile + day. The Lions Inn was a solitary pub/restaurant/B&B in the middle of nowhere. We walked in to the lovely warm pub/restaurant area and slumped into some seats. Unfortunately there were no rooms in the B&B which would mean having to camp. At this point I did not care and was just happy to be in a warm, cosy environment. Thankfully they accepted cards so we got a drink each before ordering a meal. The meal was amazing. I had a tuna lasagne which also came with a big plate of chips and another big plate of garlic bread - I don't think I've ever appreciated a good meal as much. I think Chris and Tom went for curry's. I finished mine feeling happily bloated, Chris couldn't finished all of his whilst Tom turned into the human dustbin eating all of his huge meal as well as my salad and Chris's leftovers. After a few hours in the pub we discussed what we would have to do tonight. I suggested stay until the pub closes and walk through the night as hated the thought of having to set up the tents up in the cold and dark. Chris and tom flat out refused this so it would have to be camping. I very begrudgingly slagged up the tent after Chris and Tom had done theirs and attempted to get some sleep.
Reviews
Lovesome Hill bunk house - 3/10: Cold, uncomfortable bed, had to go outside to go toilet. The only good thing was the price.
Lessons Learned
Don't stay at Lovesome Hill bunk house.
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