Patterdale

Coast to coast day four

Today we decided that since we were in a hotel we would sleep in to a reasonable time and set off after nine. We started with a hearty breakfast, Colin kept topping up the orange juice and I even impressed myself by having cereal and a full fry up.

Looking out of the window it was hard to decide what to wear given that it was raining heavily down the valley. In the end we plumped for shorts and then immediately put on waterproofs as we set foot out of the door.

Back down the road into patterdale before heading up to angle tarn pike. Colin had wanted to go to the shop in patterdale but I put him off and he mock wined about it for the next mile. We tried to shelter under trees but it was futile. 

Heading up was exhausting but finally we reached the top and then proceeded to get hopelessly lost in the mist along with an increasing number of other coast to coast walkers. Before long fifteen or so people were looking for the path. I know the lakes discourages signs but on this occasion I think one was called for.

In the end we agreed a route to take and headed up a little hill and finally sighted the path. Salvation! A quick walk along this path and we were on track again to angle tarn. 

Next was an up and round the knott. Not however before I spied a 'zebra carnival' what the hell is one of these I here you hollar. Well essentially I just saw a row of walkers each with black or White waterproof covers over their rucksacks. From a distance they looked like a line of zebras. In the end we bumped into them a little further up and they requested a photo with us as we had mascots with us and they wanted photos of ours with theirs. Somewhere on the net there will soon be a quad teddy photo of eeyore, doug, dobbie, and a little black and white dog.

It was still very misty and in poor visibility we headed up to kidsty pike. What a great stroke of luck as we reached the top the clouds cleared and the sun started shining. We decided this would be the perfect place to stop for lunch looking out over riggindale.

The after lunch the decent was PAINFUL. It was steep and it was hard going on my knees. Colin was finding it hard on his feet and it was killing my knees. Needless to say we did get there in end but were not happy to be faced with a long long walk along haweswater reservoir. I've never favoured reservoir walking but this one went on and on. I suppose I should be greatful since it's this one that provides me with my water in Manchester.

At last we reached the end and sat on a bench in the tiny village of Burn Banks for a well deserved rest. After an apple Colin read out the information board about how the dam was built. Apparently during the building and blasting process no humans were killed and only one rabbit. This made Colin giggle to himself for the next thirty minutes. 

Out along the river lowther next over some high styles and many bridges. I swear it was like something from the Krypton Factor. The river edge was however very nice with old oak trees along the banks and White clouds high in the blue sky. 

After a few minor navigational hick-ups we soon saw the shape of Shap Abbey rising out of the valley infront of us. We knew we were almost at Shap and our feet were crying in relief. 

A final mile and a half along Tarmac roads and we arrived at the Bulls Head pub and our nights stop. The facilities were basic to say the least, but the hearty food and drink soon helped to relax. 

Patterdale