I hope I'm not jumping in out of turn here.
Can't say I remember any negative cattle encounters on the C2C this autumn. Later, near Sedbergh, a couple of friendly pet cows tried to snack on my backpack belt, and a frisky stirk made a bit of a mock charge, but those were the only memorable encounters. If you're lucky, you'll meet the fell ponies just across the motorway outside of Shap. :-)
When you end up in boggier areas, avoid the brighter green mossy bits. Look for grasses, reeds and heather. They'll be growing on firmer ground. The bumpy hummocks are tiring on the feet and ankles, but they'll be higher and drier too. Gaiters and leather boots really pay off too.
For books, I read Wainwright before I left but brought the Steadman guide with me. It was also helpful in planning which services I could expect in villages and towns along the way. I confirmed opening times on the internet before I left, and one or two had, in fact, closed since the book was published. I used the route descriptions as a general guide to plan/mark my route out on the OS maps. I didn't do that well with Steadman's diagrams, I'm afraid.
I'm curious, has anyone taken the option of going up Kidsty Pike and then back along High Street down to Bampton Common instead of the Haweswater shoreline path? What are the views like? A local said he liked the route.
As for food, I stopped in the Grasmere Co-op, Patterdale store, Shap Co-op, Tebay Services, Kirkby Stephen Co-ops, and the shops in Reeth and Richmond. They all had selections of fresh fruit and veg (some fresher than others). I didn't stop in, but I think the Muker tea room/village shop also has non-junk type food, but definitely check their hours.
I'll shush now . . . I hope you're having a great time planning!