WEDNESDAY 18TH
We booked into a cottage at Thirlspot just a short distants from Keswick on Saturday and have spent the last days bunkered down in the rain.  We discovered the local pub half a mile away and have become regulars there for lunch, they started greeting us yesterday.   Today was predicted to be better so took a punt and drove up to the old slate mine Honister Pass and then back to Rosthwait where I celebrated my birthday with a beautiful local trout freshly caught and poached followed by a sticky pudding covered in toffee sauce and a huge bowl of fresh thick cream which I shared with Ian.
We did this drive 10 years ago when the mine was just as it was originally however it is now all commercial with tours, café etc so not half as good however the drive through the mountains and and around the lakes are stunning even though we have been in and out of showers all day. 

We haven't had any internet or phone service where we are staying so are currently sitting in Costa Café where we have discovered the best coffee in England so far. 
It has been nice being in a cottage during this drenching the alternative in a B & B room would have been awful, at least we can move about and read and watch TV etc.