Patterdale to Shap (a day late as a long day in the boots).

Getting up the weather was questionable but quickly deteriorated to 'pants' (technical term). Fortunately the thunder and lightening was at its worst while we ate breakfast. When we were due to leave it was still raining sufficiently hard to warrant full waterproofs and, given it was still about 18dC, it was due to be a wet day inside and out. We climbed up to Angletarn Pike and Angle Tarn in low cloud and heavy winds - to the extent that Jen had to be held onto Terra-firma.
We reached the summit of Kidsty Pike in three hours, and it felt a bit of a fraudulent victory for the highest point reached on the walk as the path to the summit was easy by Lakeland standards. Just at this time the weather cleared and we were able to see down into all the valleys. Twenty minutes later the low cloud was back. (Interestingly we met Jen's terrier mate on the peak of Kidsty Pike, but he had attached himself to someone else, no doubt ruining their day).

The drop down to Haweswater made everyone's toes sing a bit, but we managed to get onto the path without injury. The walk along the 2.5miles of Haweswater shore was a bit tedious - there were a few steep elevations but they came with very little improvement in the view, which was masked by trees. And it just went on and on and on.
In Burnbanks we had two treats - one was the noticeable change in scenery (greener, less rocky and few gradients), and the other was the judicious placing of an honesty box that was stocked with drinks of all sorts, fruit and chocolates. The weather prior to today had removed chocolate from the menu so to be just presented with it on a day/time when it was just needed was great.
Shap Abbey followed, no monks in residence, but another honesty box this time with beer! Unfortunately drinking beer was considered a no-no so it was just more soft drinks - and then Shap proper appeared.
A quick trip back to Patterdale to fetch the car, onward movement to Kirby Stephen through heavy downpours saw us in KS for after seven. We only had time for washes, eats and sleep ready for tomorrow.
Strange thing to see on a walk - honesty box containing beer.....