Day 5: Patterdale to Shap

Day 5 is a veeeerrrrrry long day.  In distance, it is a mile shorter than Day2, Ennerdale to Stonethwaite.  Back to the data again: we had 2470 feet of elevation gain today, compared with 2010 feet on Day 2, our speed was averaging at 2 mph today (didn't seem like it, but don't forget, John's wearing the watch!) whereas we were crawling along at 1.8 mph on our second day.  This speed calculation includes all the stops, not the moving speed alone. I think we made more stops on Day 2 because everyone was complaining after our first day!

We left Patterdale, having enjoyed a decent breakfast and collecting our packed lunches from the bar on the way out.  The pub leasehold is for sale apparently.

Anyone want to buy a pub? 

Fantastic village shop in Patterdale

Gowbarrow Fell in the distance

It was a steep start to the day, out of the door and almost immediately heading up the side of the fell. This first section of the walk seemed so much easier last summer!

Jack made a friend

Weather was a bit temperamental today

We got to Angle Tarn but didn't stop - the weather doesn't look too bad in the photo, but it was blustery and not very pleasant for a stop.

Angle Tarn

At the top of Kidsty Pike - summer in the Lakes

As we left the Lakeland fells behind, I discovered that the book was not being dramatic after all.

It is quite a steep descent to the shores of Haweswater, which has been a reservoir since they flooded the valley, including the village that was there.   The houses are still at the bottom of it apparently. 

And there really is an annoyingly steep climb along the banks of Haweswater (it's full of Hawes).  

It is actually about 3 miles following the shores of the reservoir before you tromp another 5 miles across fields and through stiles before you eventually find Shap Abbey, and then have to walk up the road (or follow a path that runs parallel in the neighbouring field) until you reach Shap itself.  

It was very pretty, but also very long and probably not fully appreciated by any of us at the end of such a long walk! 

Packhorse bridge

Another Packhorse bridge

Swindale

A 'fixer-upper'

Shap Abbey, a ruin thanks to Henry VIII!

To top it off, it seems like at least another mile before you reach the Kings Arms, but at least it wasn't as far as the Greyhound. Very sore feet, very tired walkers.

Note:
We passed two 'Honesty Boxes' today, provided by kind (or entrepreneurial) locals. This is my favourite: 

Thomas's Honesty Box

Thomas, the provider of the box, is 13 years old (or at least he was when he first made the sign).  His box included cans of coke, bottles of Volvic, two types of chocolate bars, and a sign that says 'I hope my honesty box is a nice surprise for you on your adventure. Please have a safe and enjoyable onward journey.'  

What's more he has provided a bin underneath the box, so people can enjoy their refreshments and not have to carry their rubbish.  On the top of his box it says, 'PLEASE LEAVE MONEY IN BOX AND DISPOSE OF YOUR LITTER RESPONSIBLY'.  Quite right, too. Thanks, Thomas.  Very thoughtful and most appreciated.  

P.S. Thomas - you need to empty your bin and collect your money! 

My favourite quote of the day has to be this one:

John: We'll just get down in that boggy depression and we'll stop for coffee.

Me: That sounds lovely.