A solitary 4.5 mile expedition to find Bluebell Wood which may have ended up finding the elusive MatterhornRoute: Leaving the Close to run along Hayclose Road to the end of Kendal Parks Road and there turn right towards the new houses and then left along (new) Oak Lane by the flats and on, off the tarmac, across the brook and turning right up the footpath and bending left along the crest of the little hill, right beside the railway line, and into Bluebell Wood (the wood east of Bluebell Close). Following the wide track along through the woods to its end where it runs out down to the back of houses on Littledale, there turning right under the railway line. Climbing over a makeshift fence at the far end of the tunnel and turning right to run along a little beck to the snickleway leading up to Birk Hagg and out along the drive to Singleton Park Road. Turning left there to run down the road and take the little walled ginnel signed up to Paddy Lane and Spindle Wood. At the end of the ginnel, running down to cross the railway and then bearing left across a couple of fields northeast to reach the wide grassy ridge, just south of Skyline Wood (perhaps the Matterhorn?). Tracking back looking for an easterly exit and running down and over a bridge in a wooded dip to cross another field and join the bridleway east, over three more fields, past Singleton Park farm to reach Paddy Lane. Running down Paddy Lane to the end to cross and follow Hayfell Road to the Station Inn and back down through the Glen and round the station home. (Photo shows a view of Skyline Wood from the stile on Paddy Lane, with the grassy ridge to the left.)
Conditions: Glorious clear, hot and sunny after a blistering afternoon
Pub? C-19 A bottle of Hawkshead Brewery Windermere Pale Ale in the summerhouse with Tim after his (separate) run
