Day 5
Next morning we approached the river with trepidation. Someone had the bright idea to use a pair of sandals to keep our socks and boots dry. I went first using walking poles for balance and braving the piranha fish nibbling my toes. I threw the sandals and poles back across the wide expanse of water for the next person and hence we all crossed the deep ford. The only problem was Jake, he didn’t like the look of the water at all and Robert had to drag him across by his neck; Jake struggling and protesting.
The walk that day was fairly straightforward apart from the many stiles that had to be crossed. Jake hasn’t quite got the idea of climbing these, he tries to tunnel under, and has to be carried over. One nasty moment occurred when we were walking down a track and a 4-wheel drive vehicle came over a dip much too fast. Jan, Marilyn and I managed to get out of the way but Jake just flattened himself on the ground. Robert threw his walking pole away to enable him to grab Jake. I don’t think Jake does traffic! In the shock after the action Robert forgot about his pole and it was lost. A few minutes later the vehicle returned along this dead-end track and the driver had the audacity to smile and wave! We also made gestures!
Out of the several thousand stiles, I think Jake managed two without help. Just short of Burneside we turned south to Kendal and had a very refreshing drink in a beer garden by the river. We caught a bus back to near our campsite but still had to face the deep ford; the roaring river had to be crossed again. I went first and threw the first sandal back towards the far bank. My throw was short and disaster loomed as the raging torrent threatened to take it. Jake instantly grasped the problem and launched himself into the water, rescuing the sandal before it could be swept away down river towards the Irish Sea. Our hero repeated this feat five more times to enable us all to cross. Jake’s selfless actions saved the day (a cynic might think he was just chasing sticks but that would ruin the story).
That evening we sat in the very attractive beer garden of the nearest pub and watched woodpeckers come to the bird-feeders. Jake revelled in his praise “he’s a good dog”!
The morning crossing of the ford
Disused railway bridge
Bridge over River Lune
Evening crossing, Jake saves the day