"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then..."

"Wish I could start this whole thing all over again" as Toby Keith sings or something like that.  No regrets yet.  I would highly recommend this trip to anyone.  I am not sure I would repeat it as there are so many other trips to take, but the combination of walking, pubs, pints,  English rural culture, camaraderie, etc has been fantastic.  Boots, Boots, Boots...oh did I say boots.  If you do not get decent boots, you will be spending lots of time in the other Boots (the English Chemist).  Fortunately, the poor constant state of my feet has not affected my enjoyment of the walk at all.  I would also find an American boot salesman who is familiar with the Coast to Coast because the boots most walkers wear here are significantly different than the standard American back packer. Logistics permitting, I would arrive St. Bees and immediately walk to Cleator rather than stay in St. Bees.  August is a great month to do the walk.  You have days where you see not another soul but yet might see a few other walkers in the pub at night.  September supposedly brings the crowds.  The high route alternatives in the Lake District are well worth the effort but not sure I would repeat the Helm Crag ridge-walk in a torrential down pour.  I would not stress too much over rain wear because on certain days all the stuff fails (even the really expensive brands). The drink and meal at the Langstrath in Stonethwaite was definitely worth a rainy walk from my lodging in Rosthwaite.  In Grasmere, both the Moss Grove Organic Hotel and the Jumble Room meal were definitely worth the splurge (and my timing was brilliant as the Coast to Coast kicked my ass that day). Margaret at the Brookfield House in Shap definitely lived up to her legend even though she delayed me to the pub an hour by stuffing me with warm raisin bread, cheese and cream tea.  Orton had its own charm and I was happy to break up the Shap to Kirby Stephen stage (Also Orton is where I met Rob and Liz at a picnic table as we were waiting several hours for our host at the Barn House to show up).  The Keld Lodge was a great stay as I got my pint order in right before a guided tour of twelve walked in.  Also had a fantastic meal of lamb's liver there.  The one low-level route I would do again is the Swaledale Valley alternative.  Walking into Reeth on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon and having a beer at the Black Bull (on Tour de France route) with Rob and Liz was certainly a highlight.  The Manse Lodging in Reeth also a nice spot.  Would skip the rest day in Richmond.  Do it alone? Not for everyone but the combination of solitary time and occasional company suits me.  Finally, the actual day-to-day walking has been phenomenal and the variety superb: high crags, forests, fields, quaint villages, etc... On to Danby Wiske.