The rain just wouldn't stop pouring down but since we've been going, going, going for a week or so, the idea of just sitting around on our "day off" wasn't palatable so we hopped a bus to Penrith. It's a city by comparison to anywhere we've been since Manchester (which is kind of yucky grey and perpetually dirty wet).
We bought some gaiters to protect our legs from the onslaught of mud we're sure to encounter in the Moors. I found an incredible cheese shop and bought a few ounces of a local blue and some biscuits. We checked out some bookshops and gift stores and bought Lauren a souvenir or two. After a pint and a snack, we headed back to Margaret's house.
She was eager to hear about our day and fussed some more. We tried to share the computer and I snacked on some blue cheese. After a shower, we headed to the Greyhound one last time for some of the best restaurant-made lasagna I've ever had. We loved on Biscuit The Tabby Cat some more and headed home to Margaret. We knew she wouldn't go to bed until we were safely tucked in/lights out.
We repacked in anticipation for another day on the trail. Shap to Orton is an easy 8 miles and a good way to slide back into the walking-every-day routine. I slept the very best of any night since leaving home. It may have had something to do with the incredible feather ticks and high thread-count sheets on the bed or perhaps it had something to do with knowing that Margaret was guarding the door and standing by to baby us just a bit more.
I thanked Lauren again for being my walking mate and tried to tell her how much I appreciate and love her. My only wish is that Peanut and Dougie were with us. Within minutes, I was fast asleep. A happy girl to be sure.
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