Day 8 Preson to Penrith 64miles

Really really heavy rain overnight and this morning. So after the best porridge I've ever had (did I mention this hotel is lovely?) we had the usual dithering with what to wear. We have wet weather gear but any slight incline and its just too hot to bear it. The boys go for the bare wet leg look but Beth and I donned the waterproof trews. We got a bit wet alright but were going so well on the non-hilly terrain that it didn't seem to matter. John headed off to do the laundry....what a great guy he is. True support spending time at the launderette for us all. We met up with him at lunchtime in Kendal so we could all re-fuel for the long hike up to Shap. This is a bit of upflat that climbs to about 1400feet I think. So off came the wet weather gear. All unnecessary kit left in the van and off we went. But we hadn't even negotiated Kendal town before Alex got a puncture on one of his indestructible 'armadillo' tyres. David suggested that Beth and I carry on up to Shap and we'd wait for them there. It was about a 15mile trip to get up there. Not all uphill but a long slow slow slow drag for most of it. Made up for by the amazing views. So we wended our way. It wasn't as steep as we'd feared. But then anything after Day 2 is never as steep as we fear! David caught up with me just before we got to John waiting at the top. Beth pipped us to the summit and many a congratulatory photo was taken! Then it was a great downhill trip and onwards to Penrith. We are at a nice B n B. Have just had an Italian meal in a very lively restaurant and now all of us have retired early to our rooms. The weather was great today with fantastic cloud formations over the Cumbrian hills. Hard to believe we are over halfway through our marathon trek.