You mean winding down? Ive not built up so there's nothing to wind down from really. I never did much of that for Marathons either, running very hard to the Wednesday evening before the race on the following Sunday.

Hackpacker,
My tweet profile is 'dav657' and I will be tweeting my way along.
Let me know your tweet profile and I will add you to 'Follow'.

Feet lovely peeled now, got some Compeed cream which I will apply every day and hope it keeps the skin supple.
Last time I pre - Compeeded. Mentioning it to my Chyropodist today, he advised against that, saying that as my heel problems are down to 'pressure' rather than friction, pre applying them would increase the pressure as they decrease heel room in the shoe.
I can see his point, so I am going to start with Leukotape and switch to Compeed if problems arise (which is inevitable).
Dave.

As my intended train then bus gets me into RHB at around lunch time, I am tempted to set off early afternoon, and do a similar schedule to yours Mick, only I am taking the low level through Gunnerside itself. I may miss out the cliff path from RHB and go more direct straight inland.
Where will you find suitable overnight in Gromont and Keld, or will you use official campsites?
Dave.

I only start at that time because Ronald did - though he only started at that time as he missed his rail connection... I stuck with this as it put you in a good position to get a good breakfast at the A19 services having stayed the 2nd night on Beacon Hill... but having only found the services open once... and not having actually stopped on Beacon Hill (it starts to get complicated...)
Dave, if you succeed in this one (and no reason why you shouldn't!) you'll kick yourself for not including something of a cliff-top start! I think my own solution is best of both options but then only saves about a half mile... (Ronald advises the next turn inland after the caravan site, which, from memory, I think, adds about a half mile...)
ergh, what the...

...right, so yeah, the idea is to rely again on the slightly lighter bivvy option but arrive at places with some alternative... even if the bunkhouses are full (as they most likely will be at short notice) I still have more chance of getting out of it if it's really bad (remembering my 1st attempt...) Well maybe... but a tarp has to be 'erected' like a tent and takes a bit longer at either end... then there's the 'comfort' issue...
so in direct answer - yes official: Grosmont - Priory Fm. (not sure of shower yet) Keld - Park House (warm welcome and good shower here)

What are plans for the St Bees head finish Dave? Straight for the lighthouse? ...or st down B5345? Surely some cliff-top would add more of an ethical line? but it's your call mate

Yeah, okay cliff top to start. Finish straight to Lighthouse as no real point in going through the Quarry etc.
What do you think about about going low level around the 3 Peaks from Claybank Top to Lord Stones.
I think I am more or less defo going low level through Gunnerside, not purely so as to avoid the high level route, as I really enjoyed that section, but because I'd like to do the river route too.
Dave.

"...no real point in going through the Quarry etc"
I think Alf wanted to punish anyone foolish enough to go E-W lol!
well, give the W-E's a last view of Saltom Bay I suppose...
whichever you choose Dave - It'll give me the thumbs up to follow - it certainly is no joy in the dark... what about left at the transmitter and st for Fleswick Bay..?
Well, I think maybe include the Wain Stones..? as the 1st climb ain't too bad... the 2nd is st on... it's the 3rd that's puts the question mark in as you can decide on L or R - but look at the map - it's actually farther to go round from there...
It's just as you look up and think 'I can't face it.. ' lol
I suppose it depends a lot on what time of day it is..?
As I said elswhere on here I've only included all three on the 1st attempt and the recce... maybe the secret is to change gear after crossing the road. I'll be doing that stretch earlier this time if all goes to plan and not be in such a hurry - in the past I've been hoping to catch Lord Stones open...
that lower path/bridle can get very muddy after rain too...
I can't comment on the Gunnerside alternative - I like the remote and lonely desolation of the place... but maybe as I'm making for Keld this time I should check it out. HP is going this way too I understand..?

ah... well, just realised why I've never considered the lower level route - Footprint don't show it and I haven't got any reference to it...
yes I have - via this
map

hmm, I'll give it some thought...

above link zoomed in of course...
Different out of Reeth and rejoins at Crackpot then - I'll give it a measure

Mick,
The low-level path is approx 1.5 miles longer. it's also about that distance further using the official seasonal way up to Nine Standards in April.
Ok it looks like it's over the tops of of at least two of the 3 peaks. I still have horrors about doing them in the dark. Not the fact that it was dark you understand, but the ascents and ascents seemed very steep on tiny steps - but that may have been more down to fatigue and sore feet, than anything else.
I was also planning a more direct from Smardale Bridge, however I would like to inspect that section around Bents farm area where I went horribly wrong, again in the dark.
I am looking forward to walking the Rosedale Railway and seeing where I pitched for that brief stop.
I may start as soon as I arrive in RHB, but want to get to Glaisdale at least if I do. Problem is camp site is out of the way and pressing on to the Lion Inn may be too much of a stretch for half a day. Alternatley, I could start later and stop at Gromont like you.
I think it would still be ethical to miss out Patterdale and head down to Hayswater, Brothers Water, then climb up the valley to the ridge leading to Fairfield summit and down to Grisedasle tarn from there. This is of course dependant on there being some climbing still left in the legs.

What is your intended start time at RHB?
Dave.