Coast to Coast Day 4 Patterdale – Shap 18.2 miles Copyright © Barry Smith 2012. All Rights Reserved. Today we finally get to leave Lakeland, and unlike Wainwright would be glad to see the back of it. We started in  waterproofs as it was raining, and after taking on a few supplies at the post office, set off towards Boredale Hause. This  I found to be quite slow and exhausting especially after the previous day’s slog, and the magnificent views did little to  help. As we approached Angletarn Pikes I took the lower route while Graham ventured on the higher route and we met  up at the tarn. The rain by now had eased and we headed for Kidsty Pike whose ascent was much easier. Although dry,  the wind had really increased, and by the time we were at the summit, where the cloud was well socked in, I don’t  think I had ever known wind so strong whilst walking. Not long after leaving the summit the cloud moved off and left us  with wonderful views of the valleys and surrounding hills during our descent.  We lunched at the bridge by Riggindale Beck removed our waterproofs, and continued the long and pleasant meander  around Haweswater Reservoir and onto Shap Abbey. After looking around the ruins and upon leaving the Abbey, we could  see two figures approaching from the distance. We jokingly hoped that this wasn’t the girls, as when we left the hostel  they were just about to start their breakfast, but we were later embarrassed to find out  that it was them! It also  started to rain again. We entered Shap at its most northerly point, only to find that our accommodation for the night  was the very last house at the southern end of the town, and it has one heck of a long main street. Today had taken 9  hours, and upon our arrival at Brookfield, the owner Margaret welcomed us, provided us with somewhere to hang and  dry our wet gear, and then proceeded to ply us with tea, scones toasted teacakes and cakes. Superb. To top this she  even took all of our dirty clothes and had them washed and ironed outside our door prior to breakfast.  We went to the Greyhound Inn for our evening meal where we made the acquaintance of two Australian couples who  were also doing the walk. I think the men were more enthusiastic than their partners. The girls also put in an  appearance and confirmed our worst fears that they were closing on us at the Abbey. We also met Lisa May and her dog  Masie who were also doing the walk and were from Somerset.   ;