Finally after a year of preparation and a wait of almost 25 years the day has come that i set of for my very first Coast 2 coast walk.

My boat leaves at 22:00 and i have to check in about 45 min in advance. Not helping a lot because i was awake at 05:00 the days and weeks before i din,t let myself carry away in excitement, but this day Sunday 3th of April time slowed down and i felt like running and wanted to scream.

Why is the time going so slowly. In Holland we say sitting on hot coal,s So hole day with checking my gear and get my pack ready, reading the latest weather forecast.

Then after dinner i just could not stay at home any longer and said goodbye to the wife and kids who where counting the days that daddy would leave for 21 days, so they could do some big time shopping. So i set off at 18:45 and drove to Hoek van Holland the urge to puss the pedal to the metal was big but the knot of excitement in my stumic was even bigger so i made it a slow easy drive.

I was the first one there at 19:10 and after some waiting i got my car parked on the boat. Found my cabin and started wandering around the
Stena Brittanica. I tried the coffee not very good :) I also made a few pictures and chatted with a few people. The boat finally moved out of the harbor and as soon we where at full sea i went to my cabin and to sleep.

Early morning wake up with some music i think it was moking bird hill - 06:00 Dutch time but 07:00 UK time so 1 hour stolen of my much
needed night sleep. Got myself a quick shower a light breakfast and a big cup of coffee. And i was ready and raced of the boat to the first roundabout in Harwich harbor.

Ok relax Freddy take it easy first see how others drive here and try a few roundabouts first driving left can be tricky so i practiced a bit before i went on to the real big roads. GPS was telling me 733Km to destination. Arrival approx 14:30

I switch on the radio and got a lot of talk about mothers day and even more about the bad traffic, M6 totally blocked South bound and a traffic jam on the A25 and lots more traffic problems..

So i expected a some delay and drove nice and steady. this until i almost got in a nasty accident on the A25. 3 Lorry drivers on the slow lane and me and a other car in front of me on the lane next to it.

The second Lorry driver wanted to catch up the first and switch lanes just a meter or 2 in front of the car before me. I switch to the 3th lane and signaled to the other car that he/she could change lanes also.

The car was not responding so i stepped the pedal and just wen i passed the car the 3th Lorry wanted to catch up the first lorry also and switch lanes overlooking the the car next to me. The car next to me got a smash on the rear bumper and took a spin of the road missing just my car and rolled over in the green zone on the left off the road. The Lorry,s stopped in the middle of the road and in my mirrors i could see the start of a big traffic jam.

There was no way i could stop and help so i continued my journey, but i felt bad if that car would have responded to my signals and switch lanes nothing would have happened. :( I also got a a good look at the big accident on the M6 and i know now that driving a car in the UK can be very dangerous.

A few short pit stops and a few hours later i could see the first hills but i also could see a lot of rain coming down. I hoped that would go away in the next days.

14:33 I just arrived at the outer-skirts of St. Bees took some pictures and found the post office with some very friendly people inside. Got myself a postcard and stamps and went looking for a gas-station that took me some time, but got my car fully loaded in the end.

I parked my Car in front of Tom Lin,s Guesthouse and Irene was just coming outside with the dog, she welcomed me with open arms and showed me around. A Nice house near the sea with a big old fashion kitchen in it ( just how i like it ) And for breakfast a room with a view on the seacote hotel and the footpath where most coast to coast walkers will come by.

I went of to the starting point to get a good look i was really exited and it was hard to believe that i was really there.

It was raining and nobody around, so i took my time and spend a about 15 min of searching for some nice pebbebls. ( got 3 ) Got my stones collected and with a smile on my face of being aware that this is not a dream, i walked to st.bees village and found the queens hotel.
Got myself my very first Stake ale Pie in my life and it tasted great.

More of that anytime. Later in the Bar i found a other backpacker, so i asked him about his walking plans.

Well he said with a disgusted face I am not doing the so called coast 2 coast Alfred would turn in his grave if he would know that the loads of walkers are destroying his path.

well that was new and unexpected so i kept my mouth shut about the Coast 2 Coast and talked about wild camping and cooking and they guy
turned out to be a nice chat. And i think he is totally wrong about Mr. Wainwright.

Ok back to the Tomlin guesthouse and to bed and hope for less rain in the morning.

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