Coast to Coast 2013, Day 4 - Thorney How, Grasmere to Noran Bank Farm, Patterdale 

Another sunny morning, another lovely breakfast (hot croissants), blistered feet still incredibly painful, but who could be grumpy on such a great day in such a beautiful place - we really were fortunate with the Lake District weather.

Today's route took us from Grasmere up to Grisedale tarn and then down Grisedale to Patterdale. It was a much easier walk than the previous day, largely because it wasn't as long, so we had time to enjoy the views and to linger over lunch at the Tarn.

There were 2 routes up to the tarn, one to the left of Great Tongue, which climbed to a path running around the edge of Seat Sandal, and the other which went to the right of Great Tongue and hugged Tongue Gill up to Grisedale Tarn. 
Mum and Dad went right, we went left.

Taking a breather to look at the view

The whole of the Coast to Coast walk continually went through fields of sheep, of many different kinds, but one thing that was constant was the call of a mother to her lamb and then the sight of a lamb bouncing across the field to meet her - seem pretty obedient these young sheep!

Looking back to Grasmere

This is the point at which the Tongue Gill path joined our path - Mum & Dad are down there somewhere.

Grisedale Tarn was beautiful - really peaceful

Relaxed lunch stop

Cooling off the feet

Dani trying to knock Phil into the water

It seems that the sheep here could also read.

After lunch we set off down the valley towards Patterdale.

The terrain was similar to yesterday's final valley descent, but the lack of time pressure made it seem much easier. (Although I was still hobbling)

On the way into Patterdale we bumped into a family that we'd met up at Black Sail - they'd driven round by car the previous night & spent the morning relaxing...bit of jealousy crept in there!!

Arrived at the Patterdale Hotel where we'd agreed to wait until all of us caught up - drinks all round and plenty of time to enjoy the late afternoon sun.

Here's Dad!

After the drink we walked another half mile to the farm where we were staying - Noran Bank

A very welcome sight! We had the bunk barn all to ourselves, complete with kitchen and bacon etc. supplied for breakfast.

Mum & Dad knew the proprietor of the Old Water View B&B, which also does evening meals. It had been full so we couldn't have stayed there, but we enjoyed a delicious dinner and Dani found out that she'd passed her school year.

What was Ben up to here?

Chip thief!

Delicious Dessert

Chocolate - guaranteed to make your feet feel better

A bit of route planning went on that evening after dinner (whilst Ben & Dani played Top Trumps!). We'd come to the conclusion during today's walk that I needed to let my blisters heal up a bit if I was going to be able to carry on and so the plan was to split into 2 parties again - Phil, Ben & Dad to go the harder high route over Kidsty Pike and along Haweswater, while Mum, Jonny, Dani & I took the steamer along Ullswater to Pooley Bridge and walked the flatter route over Askham Fell to Bampton Grange (this was Wainwright's bad weather route, and in fact, we were told that the first time he walked the C2C he took this route and then came back later in better weather to fill in the details of the high level stage in his notes).

It felt a bit like cheating, but it seemed better than not finishing at all!