Day 4 to Borrowdale YHA (2nd day hiking - 24K)

We left Low Cock How farm at 8:15 am and walked and walked and walked and walked until 6:15. We walked the authentic C2C route through Ennerdale Bridge (no food), along Ennerdale Water (lake) on the Antler Crag route - sat in Robin Hood Chair (stone outcrop) - had a small scramble getting there. This route was very slow, as it was all rocks, and each step had to be considered and navigated, plus we forded 51 flowing water spots on stones. Stopped at Black Sail YHA - a bit overstated (meals for overnight guest only) continued on up another Dent beside Loft Beck climbing a stone staircase all the way to the top. At the top a gale with driving sleet caught us - and we made our way slooshing down hill to the Honister Slate Mine - where we finally got food in the cafe (great tomato soup) at 4:30pm. (Note. thinking about a bag lunch for tomorrow - food seems to be a bit hit or miss, with today being a lot of miss.) Would have taken in the slate mine tour if we had more time. As it was we still had 5 miles to go. On the way we had to navigate a very narrow path on the side of a cliff with a chain to hang onto - for about 25 meters. Thankfully, our Youth Hostel showed up right beside the path - and we are well fed with curried zucchini soup and lasagna and a pint of beer. The YH is built of Canadian cedar (painted yet!). We lucked out with a large room to ourselves and, a bonus, the YH has a fabulous warm drying room for boots and rain wear!