Walking across England

18 days and 205 miles later Digby and I staggered into Robin Hood's bay on the east coast of England. We have walked the whole way from St. Bee's on the west coast through Cumbria and the Lakes District on to Yorkshire through the Moors to the coast.

Staying at B&Bs most nights has given us some interesting insights into the business. In general English B&Bs quarantine you from the family into a separate part of the house - you dont meet the family - the husband is usually never seen. There are exceptions and these are the places which we will remember the most: watching the grand national steeplechase in front of the fire with a local sheep farmer; talking about the long distance walk with the host who has also completed it. The B&B breakfasts are usually 'full' english breakfast which includes a huge fry up of eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans, fried bread and black pudding. Not much fruit to be had - and usually out of a tin - stewed prunes, grapefruit. The highligh of fresh mango this morning for breakfast - the last thing we expected!