Dales Way-based 9km circuit

A 9km run mainly off road.

Route: from the Staveley Mill Yard, west along Kendal Road to the left turn onto the Dales Way just before the level crossing and following paths across fields to run along the river bank past Cowan Head to Bowston where the route joins the road. Turning right on a road to Bowston Farm and then along a track parallel to and then crossing the railway line and eventually carefully across the busy A591. Through woods to Ashes Lane and on this past the camp site (where tarmac gives way to track). At the point where the route back to Kendal joins from the woods, striking out across the field to a footpath sign and then across fields to cross the A591 again and more fields before crossing under the railway. Then back to the start.

Conditions: a sunny day though cool for August.

Pub: Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for Hawkshead WPA.

Skelwith Bridge to Elterwater saunter

A gentle 6.5km stroll with Graeme and Sarah.

Route: Cheekily leaving the car in Chesters’ still fairly empty car park and walking along the river to admire the Skelwith Force waterfall and then on easy paths (which had apparently been flooded the day before) to Elterwater. Left along the road to near the sewage works where taking a signed off-road alternative path, rejoining the road before the bridge at Low Colwith and turning left on the Cumbria Way back to the new (2007) footbridge and retracing initial steps back to the car.

Conditions: initially dry but then unexpected (by us) light rain.

Pub? No: earlier at 9:30am, coffee and breakfast at Chesters.

Brackenthwaite Hows run and Crummock Water swim

A short run and swim combination with Graeme and Sarah.

Route: leaving the car at the Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park and running up Robin’s Steps to the summit of Brackenthwaite Hows and then south down the shoulder to the boat house. Round the lake past the swimming beach and then a further loop to the next stony beach and returning (Sarah and Tim) or heading on to Lowpark (Graeme and Lois) and returning to the swimming beach for a swim.

Conditions: after days of rain (clearly more than replenishing the reservoir), a dry period with even the odd hint of sun. Choppy water for swimming, however.

Pub? Nope but refreshment back at the cottage.

Oxenholme to Lorton pub crawl by train and bus

A pub crawl by public transport to replace a planned three-day walk (with the same start and finish) when the weather forecast went south.

Route: taking the 10:19am Oxenholme to Windermere train and walking slowly down the hill for early doors at the newly expanded Crafty Baa. Then back to the station to board the 11:39am 555 bus with a North West Explorer ticket as far as Grasmere and on impulse stopping in the very busy Good Sport for the first time for locally brewed beer before shedding the crowds at Tweedies for (always excellent Welsh Rarebit) lunch. Then as the weather deteriorated, getting back on the 1:45pm bus to Keswick for a half in Wainwrights and, after a quick stop in Booths, walking via Portinscale in heavier rain to Braithwaite and Middle Ruddings for a final beer before boarding the last 77 Honister Rambler of the day over Whinlatter to Lorton.

Conditons: despite the poor forecast,
initially merely grey but becoming wetter as the day progressed.

Pubs: the Crafty Baa, Windermere, for Fell Tinderbox. The Good Sport, Grasmere, for Grasmere Bitter. Tweedies Bar, Grasmere, for Hawkshead Session Series 17 - XPA and Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold. The Wainwright Inn, Keswick, for Bowness Bay Steamer IPA. Middle Ruddings, Braithwaite, for Hawkshead Five Hop and Cross Bay Omega APA.

Dove Crag and Hart Crag via Stand Crags

A substantial walk with Derek, Naina, Jenny and Simone.

Route: leaving the cars in the last available space in the car park by Brothers Water and walking south west into Dovedale. After a while crossing the stream and beginning to climb. At the corner of a wall first prospecting further on (and turning left through bracken short of a foot bridge would have gained the ridge line) but returning to walk along the hall, rise a little from it to bushwhack through bracken and then climb by the side of a stream and then on steep though easier damp grass by the side of a collapsed wall onto a subtle saddle. Then gaining the top of the first of a series of lumps forming the broken ridge of Stand Crags to cross the head of Dove Dale and then climbing higher before turning left to cross a stream and then, pathless again, gaining the top of the continuation of the earlier ridge to reach the clear path up from Scandale Pass. Up this to Dove Crag, then Hart Crag then descending Hartsop above How taking a rough and, sadly, very loose path to the right steeply down to the car park.

Conditions: some early sun and blue skies – later cloudier but staying dry unexpectedly

Pub: the Brotherswater Inn for Jennings Cocker Hoop and Barngates Red Bull Terrier.

Evening cycle ride to Troutbeck

An evening ride (22km out, 6km back) to meet Rob and Gill for supper at the Queen's Head.

Route: from home along Valley Drive, Castle Road, by the river to Dockray Hall Road and then via Burneside to Bowston and Staveley via the A591 cycle path. Then up the Ings-Troutbeck road over Mislet Brow, with views of the central fells, before descending into Troutbeck and a slow ascent of the A592. After supper, a sprint down hill in the dark to Windermere station to catch the 9:45pm train home.

Conditions: a not too warm but sunny evening.

Pub: the Queen's Head, Troubeck for Robinsons Double Hop, Dizzy Blonde and supper.

Between Windermere and Staveley stations via the Garburn Pass

An arduous 20km jog, with much walking as necessary.

Route: taking the 10:30am train from Oxenholme to Windermere, leaving the station and taking the footpath to Orrest Head (cutting corners on paths to avoid the paved route) and then continuing northwards downhill and across fields before reaching and turning right on the road for 300m. Turning left to cross more fields and turning right on the Ings-Troutbeck shortcut road to reach the start of the Garburn Pass (Dubbs Road). Along this gaining altitude steadily to the top of the pass, walking all steep sections, before making a slow steeper descent on the very rocky track to Kentmere church and down the road to cross the river and take an immediate left. After 100m walking up a steep footpath across a field to dog-leg left-right across the upper Green Quarter road. Then taking a footpath signed to Sadgill initially along Cornclose Lane, slowly gaining altitude and the shoulder south of Hollow Moor. On entering Right to Roam land, taking a path south east to a gate in the corner of a wall and joining the main path towards Hall Lane. Following this down to the paved road and after 1km turning right to follow paths across fields (including a surprising uphill section) to Low Elfhowe and then back along a track to Scroggs Farm and the footbridge to the Mill Yard and later (after beer and peanuts!) the station.

Conditions: warm and increasingly sunny after starting from low cloud in Kendal.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, for Hawkshead WPA and Mosaic IPA.