Left at 8.55 in slight rain, nothing like what had been forecast. Immediately started going uphill via Boardale Hause to Angle Tarn, stopped raining by here but got really misty thank goodness for Alan's GPS. Went past the Knott and then up to Kidsty Pike which is the highest point of the Coast to Coast at 2560 feet. Mist cleared momentarily so we saw the peak but disappeared immediately never to reappear. The descent began gently over grass but then turned into a steep rocky scramble, a bit hairy since everything was so wet and slippy. By the time we reached the end of the Haweswater Reservoir the sun was almost shining so decided to stop for our sandwiches, found a lovely spot got our rucksacks off, all settled and the heavens opened. Packed up again and walked on in very heavy rain, fortunately the wind was on our backs. Rain stopped again after about a mile so had lunch at last. Rest of the walk along the reservoir was very good, pretty undulating path and no more rain. Countryside very different, have definitely left the Lake District. Walked through fields towards Rosgill but stayed on the south side of River Lowther to Shap Abbey, started raining again here, another half an hour got us to Shap itself unfortunately our hotel (pub) was at the FAR end of the village - another mile. Seriously knackered by the time we arrived at 5.45 but felt great again after a shower and a cup of tea. 17.5 miles.