August 2 Ennerdale to Rothswaite. 18.3 miles over a mountain in the rain!!!! And wind!!! Yew Tree Farm

Today was ridiculously challenging for us. We just returned, however, from a lovely pub dinner and beverages and are tucked into bed in an old English farmhouse in the middle of a national park. We climbed a mountain and walked 18 miles mostly in fog and pouring rain and wind with a poorly marked trail and a difficult map to read. We live to tell the story! Tomorrow is another mountain but only 8 miles. I must confess that I had thoughts of taking a cab to Manchester and heading to Spain via plane. This is the rainiest part of England. Think Pacific Northwest in the early Spring but....it's August. And Olympia has three digit heat right now.

I am too tired to write more now but must note that I heard the voice of the Camino early today with its gentle wisdom.  This brought that sense of walking with ease as thoughts of agelessness and timeless floated in.  The pressure of roles, even those we choose can weigh heavy. Perhaps it's time to re-connect with some of those earlier realizations .  I seem to require much practice with these life lessons. 

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage.  "Lao Tze

A few pics to mark the day.  Weather made it difficult to take photos. 

Weather is a big factor. It's cold, rainy, windy and the trail is poorly marked with difficult map reading in the fog. Thinking of taking a transport to the next town today.