August 4 Grosmere to Patterdale 9.75 miles Old Water View

Good morning beautiful world!

This is how we roll!  

Do you see what I see?

Love the British ways!  You know it's going to be a good day when your feet are happy and all is going well.

Perhaps I'm channeling Wordsworth this morning:

My heart leaps up as I behold

A rainbow in the sky

So was it when my life began 

So is it now I am a man

So be it when I shall grow old

Or let me die 

The child is father of the man

And I should wish my days to be

Bound each to each with natural piety.

Natural piety. I like that.

And I don't know why this blog is spacing double.

More this afternoon after today's walk.

Feeling for our PNW buddies in the heat and smoke filled air.  Stay cool; stay well.

And then I dipped into the news. And felt quite ok about where we are at the moment.

"Another day, a brighter way, " says Craig, the reincarnated Wordsworth.

Now I rest horizontally at day's end with the cool fresh air wafting in, blue skies ready for the setting sun and happy in body and soul.  A dinner of a feta salad (oh the quantity of sheep we pass) with sautéed mushrooms , beets  and tomatoes and a bit too much wine leaves me ready for sleep. 

We gathered this afternoon at our hotel after walking as couples through the day. A few games of bridge as we lingered at the restaurant and we were all ready for sleep.

Here's a look at the day.  The scenery was spectacular as we crossed yet another peak in this lakes district.  The trail was well marked, we encountered other walkers, including Evelyn from Germany whom we had seen last at Ennerdale Bridge.  We took photos together and shared some talk, fully expecting to see each other tonight in town but haven't yet.  I expect we will again before the walk ends.

We walked together with our Camino spirit fully restored.  It's so nice to feel and although Spain remains my first love, I find myself falling for this place as well. Grateful, so grateful to be able to take this time to retreat, reflect, and re-balance.  I won't wax on; the former blogs do that🤣. At least not tonight!! 

I thought today of the people in my life who support me and help me to keep my body and soul as robust as possible. You know who you are🙏.

All these walkers drying their boots.

And some more photos: