Sellet Hall to Crooklands, along the canal and back over fields

A 6+km run along a previously unexplored bit of canal.

Route: leaving the car parked just before the road canal bridge (171) which until recently marked the end of the filled section of canal and running down the far side first east then south to Crooklands (under 4 beautiful canal bridges, 170-167). Briefly heading north on the A65 and then turning left on a footpath through a farmyard and along a track to reach a path junction and turn right to cross fields to Carter House Farm passing Old Hall to turn left and climb on a minor road. Taking a left turn after Deer Park to run downhill through grass and then climb a small hillock with big views to descend steeply to Field End Bridge. Turning right initially along a road but then climbing onto an overgrown canal-side track to reach Stainton Bridge End Bridge descending again to the canal side before being forced right to cross fields and then turn left along the road to the start.

Conditions: cloudy but some sunny patches. A sense of threat, although unrealised, of rain.

Pub? (C-19) Handsome Brewery (cask) American Blonde (bought by Lois on a bike ride the day before).

Helsington Laithes to Scout Scar summit

A 6+km run.

Route: leaving the car at the entrance to Scroggs Wood, crossing the A6 and running uphill through Helsington Laithes taking the right hand, northerly route to a low underpass under the A591, through Lane Head farm and heading right, due north to join the Brigsteer Road at Three Trees. Climbing a gate a little further along the road to run clockwise round the race course to the start of the main path to Dave's Cairn but after the hand gate keeping close to the wall to reach the trig point. Then directly to the Gate-in-the-Corner and descending. Foolishly taking a faint path to keep closer to the wall and continuing pathless through bushes and over stony ground at walking pace before eventually bearing left in trees to exit the Scar at a new (to us) hand gate. Then descending across fields to another (this time tall) underpass under the A591 and back on the other path through Helsington Laithes.

Conditions: cloudy but some sun and warm.

Pub? (C-19) Bottles of Saltaire Blonde and Hawkshead WPA in the summer house.

Elf Howe and Millrigg Knott

An 8+km run on a hot day.

Route: leaving the car at the Staveley Mill Yard and running over the footbridge and north along the road to join Hall Lane, though turning left off it soon on the bridleway past Scrogg’s Farm. Ascending the road towards Elf Howe and turning left onto a footpath comprising a grassy zigzagging track. Illegally, sticking to this when the proper path turned right through a gate and thus gaining altitude to pass Low Fold, hoping to continue on this track to Hall Lane just north of Park House. In fact, however, finding the natural track interrupted by a gateless wall, and disdaining climbing the wall, heading left uphill eventually passing through a gateway and continuing to use the left of two gates to the wider summit plateau. Continuing to the actual summit and then to another gate to the penultimate field before the right to roam land. Here heading steeply downhill on a clear path to find the gate that links Hall Lane to the HP Plantation on a right of way. Turning right and descending Hall Lane to the further footpath (of two) to Elf Howe and stopping to photograph two small highland cows bathing. Then back on the outward route.

Conditions: initially cloudy but sun breaking through and a temperature of 24C.

Pub? (C-19) Cask-conditioned Handsome Brewery Blonde (bought the week before) in the summer house.

Stainton Bridge End

A 19km cycle tootle to deliver flowers to Nina.

Route: from the Close heading uphill past the station and the Station Inn descending eastwards and then climbing as far as Middleshaw. Turning right on Popplemire Lane to Holmescales and right again along the valley to Gatebeck. Keeping straight on to Kaker Mill and then right to Crooklands. Briefly left along the A65 and then right down Nutting Hall Lane to Sycamore Cottage. Then on uphill on a narrow lane turning left on an unmarked but still tarmac road to Field End bridge and on over subsequent bridges to Sellet Hall. Over the hills to Crosscrake and then home via Barrows Green.

Conditions: heavy cloud but developing hints of sun.

Pub? (C-19) Bottles of Abbot and Beer Brothers’ Session IPA.

Cunswick Scar via Kendal Fell quarry

An 8km run with surprising degrees of novelty.

Route: leaving the car parked on the side of the road on Greenside (outside Peter and Jan’s house) and running uphill to the industrial estate to turn right on Boundary Bank Lane and continue to climb with views of the quarry. Continuing as the road dog-legged becoming a track but, after a gate, turning left off it on a path descending to cross the A591 and then ascending across two cultivated fields before joining the Scar. At an implicit crossroads, turning right through a gate to join and run down Gamblesmire Lane with huge Lakeland views. Turning right to pass Cunswick Hall, join a farm track and then continue across fields to enter Ash Spring Wood. Ascending the Scar at a walk and turning left to reach the summit of Cunswick Scar. Descending to cross the footbridge over the A591 and turning right, for the first time, to join the outward path. After Boundary Bank House turning left to climb and then descend through the golf course. Running past the club house and descending to find a snickleway to the right and follow a path back and eventually a short stretch of road to Greenside.

Conditions: cloudy but warm.

Pub? (C-19) Some Handsome Brewery Handsome Hound, canned Abbot Ale and Tiny Rebel Cali Pale in the summer house.

Bowston to buy beer

A 21km cycle ride running a couple of errands and picking up beer from the Handsome Brewery, Bowston.

Route: heading down Oxenholme Road, up Burton Road and along a crowded Natland Millbeck Lane to drop Jean’s 80th birthday cake at Gallowbarrow. Then via the canal cycle path from Parkside Road to the Shap Road and then via Gilthwaiterigg Lane to the back road to Sprint Mill and the Handsome Brewery at Bowston to buy beer, entertained while queuing by the local heckling resident. Then back via Burneside, over Kentrigg, along Briarigg to the footbridge over the branch line and thus to High Garth to pick up face masks from Linda. Down Windermere Road to make a delivery, round Kendal Green, along the river, through Sandylands to deliver another mask at Rusland Park and then home along Valley Drive.

Conditions: cloudy with the odd sunny interval.

Pub? (C-19) cask Handsome Brewery Handsome Hound in the summer house.

Kendal Parks snickleways

A 7km evening run along newly-discovered interlinked snickleways.

Route: from the Close along Hayclose Road and turning right up Kendal Parks Road, bending left across a field before the railway line and then running through trees parallel to and above Valley Drive. Descending and then picking up snickleways to cross Birkbeck Close and Landsdown Close before eventaully turning left on the path from Birk Hagg Farm to cross to the other side of Valley Drive and run north along a grassy track. Crossing Castle Rise and running past the football club to gain entry to the grassy area of the castle, continuing north and up through trees to bend left back on an easier line back south to the castle. Descending to and running along the boundary of Fletcher Park and then along the canal path to Parkside Road. Back up this to take a photograph of the cricket club and then on a path beside Aikrigg above the Archers Meadow housing estate. Taking the snickleway from Tarn Close and hence back via Fulmar Drive and Blea Tarn Road.

Conditions: a gusty wind and cloudy but warm when running.

Pub? (C-19) For T, half of a bottle of St Austell Proper Job.