Alcock Tarn

A damp 6km walk with Angie and Alistair, Anne and Frank.

Route: leaving the car at the Broadgate Meadows car park and heading north along the road, over the bridge and then right on a footpath to cross the A591, walk up Swan Lane, bend left and take a path by a stream uphill. On reaching open fell, keeping straight on to cross a new footbridge - just below an exposed part of the Thirlmere to Manchester aqueduct crossing over Greenhead Gill - and ascend a large-stoned paved path weaving its way up the vague end of a ridge before levelling off to the tarn. Descending on another very clear path, in zigzags then a straight section and then further zigzags to reach a junction. For the first time, turning right on a path parallel to the hillside and descending very gradually, sometimes wading through water to reach Forest Side and thence back to the start.

Conditions: constant drizzly rain; windy higher up; very wet under foot.

Pub: Tweedies, Grasmere for Fell Tinderbox, Brew York Tonkoko and lunch with A&A.

Loop to Rogerscale and Southwaite by road

A late-afternoon 10km road run (Lois only) to redeem the day.

Route: leaving the cottage to run down clockwise to Lorton Low Bridge and up the road through High and Low Rogerscale and on over Sandybeck Bridge and Abbeygate Bridge to the corner of the Paddle School/Hundith Hill Road. Turning right down to Southwaite, over the bridge and back up to Hundith Hill crossroads. Turning right along Lorton Road to run back down into the Vale and home.

Conditions: Still, silent, largely overcast darkening through sunset and dark by the time home. (Fields too muddy to risk an off-road route in the dark.)

Pub? Christmas cake and lashings of tea back home with T.

From Southwaite to Cockermouth along the Cocker (plus Slate Fell)

A 13km Boxing Day expedition.

Route: leaving the car by the small waterworks building approaching Southwaite Bridge and taking the path north on the east side of the Cocker, recently much flooded and somewhat marshy, to Simonscales Mill and then on under the A66 to Double Mills, crossing the footbridge and heading to the Cockermouth Paper Shop with due dispatch to try to secure an Observer before noon. Then, for the first time, to the Cock and Bull for a pint. On a beer-infused whim, then walking down South Street to the footbridge and heading for Castlegate Drive to reach a footpath behind the swimming pool to join St Helen’s Street. Following along this to the second footpath to the right into Brick Kiln Wood. Taking this path to almost the far end of Slate Hill and then heading up on a diagonal, across the bridleway, to reach the summit. Descending to the other footpath heading due west slowly down the fell to the newest building site on the edge of Cockermouth, briefly joining Bellbrigg Lonning and turning down across the old railway path and through the cemetery. Across Lorton Road taking Rose Lane to Simonscales Lane, over the A66 and then left on a footpath 200m from the river back to Southwaite.

Conditions: very muddy under foot, still, mild and grey but with high cloud.

Pub: the Cock and Bull, Cockermouth, for Corby Ales Blonde and Wychwood Bah Humbug. 

Ling Fell and Seacross Lonning

A 7km Christmas Day walk.

Route: leaving the car by the side of the road at the entrance to Ling Fell near Eskin and climbing onto the fellside and uphill left to join a level track heading clockwise round the fell. After about one quarter circuit, heading sharply back right on a clear path very slowly climbing the fell. At about where the map shows it ending, turning left at a clear path crossroads and then following an obvious route (crossing other paths) to the summit. Continuing south-west and then west at a fork towards a wall and then right down a shallow valley then right parallel with the wall to a gate. For the first time, going through the gate and following a grassy path across a field approaching Green Lonning and joining this at Highside Farm. Descending the track to St Cuthbert's church (stopping in for a quick visit) and then east along the road to descend to a very wet and muddy Seacross Lonning. Following this to Wythop Mill and then taking a path shortcut back to reach the upper road and walk along to the car.

Conditions: after a bitterly cold and windy morning, slightly less cold and windy with some blue sky and even sun.

Pub: the Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite, for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold.

Two Lorton lonnings

A 6km evening stroll in the gloaming.

Route: leaving the cottage and heading to Low Lorton and across Lorton Low Bridge to examine a demolished wall. Climbing the lane towards the Mosser Fell road over Fellbarrow but, just before open country, turning right along a muddy track/lonning descending gradually to Rogerscale (under a recently-fallen victim of Storm Arwen or perhaps Storm Barra). Back along the road to the village, past the shop to ascend the steep road towards Whinlatter to look at the new building at High Tenter. Turning left along the short lonning to the pass and back home along the road.

Conditions: a chill wind and dropping dark.

Pub? Tea/coffee and mince pie/lebkuche. Later G&T.

Underbarrow 5+km stroll

A 5km stroll on a wet and cloudy day.

Route: leaving the car at the Black Labrador, Underbarrow, and heading northeast on a road and then right on a footpath through a farm complex and onto wet fields, climbing. Passing through the muddy farmyard of Tranthwaite Hall and then along a track to a junction of paths, taking a route across fields to the west of a stream. Joining a clearer track heading north past Bell Hill on the left before turning left on another track to circumnavigate the hill and head south. Taking a track and then path to the right and - missing a possible turning - continuing on a wet Chapel Lane to the church in Underbarrow and then back along unmade lanes to the start.

Conditions: ground level cloud; light rain increasing.

Pub: The Black Labrador, Underbarrow, for Windermere Winter’s Tail and Fell Brewery Late Night John.

Wansfell Pike

A snowy walk with a surprisingly non-sick Neil.

Route: Leaving the car parked just over the river at the bottom of Troutbeck (perhaps 50m up the road) and taking Robin Lane round to the south of the fell, keeping with the lower track round to High Skelghyll. On entering the wood, taking a path rising diagonally eventually to reach the observatory and the ridge to the summit on snow. For the second time taking a path to the left and higher than the normal route, gaining the ridge sooner. Thence straight down the path to Nanny Lane and back to Troutbeck.

Conditions: initially cloudy and misty later clearing to some sun, though cold. Snow under foot.

Pub: the Watermill, Ings for Windermere Blonde, Winter’s Tail and (for Neil) lunch.

Brackenthwaite Hows run

A 6km run plus 1km walk back to the car 

Route: leaving the car at the Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park and taking a steep shortcut to reach the start of the the small path up Robin’s Steps to the summit plateau of Brackenthwaite Hows. Descending south and picking up the path within the wood by its eastern wall to join the small path descending to the boat house. Thence, round the lake, round the ‘Horn’, along the further swimming beach to walk up the hillside beyond the wall and to join the higher level path from along the lake. Experimenting, by taking a faint path on the left to attempt to maintain altitude and cut a corner but in fact finding no continuing path and running across a steep slope on soft ground hidden by leaves (so, not to be repeated). Continuing round the end of Mellbreak before descending to the Kirkstile Inn for lunch. Afterwards walking back along the road to the car park. 

Conditions: cold but bright and sunny.

Pub: The Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater for Cumbrian Legendary Ales, Esthwaite Bitter, Vanilla Oatmeal Stout and lunch.

Scout Scar 6.5km

An Outdoor Day because, as the first post Couch to 5km solitary off-road run, there seemed to be some jeopardy. (T only; L at church.)

Route: Route: from the normal midway layby (at GR 494899), a short steep ascent then bearing left to reach and then descend the escarpment and south across the fields towards Helsington before bending right onto the green track with views of the estuary. At the three-way junction, taking the middle track at a walk to reach the top of Pook’s Peek, to the next gate heading back left and then right to reach the the cliff edge of the Scar to the trig point and then the Mushroom. Back to the trip point and through the gate in the wall corner to descend along the edge of the escarpment to the start.

Conditions: after a damp autumn, a lovely sunny day.

Pub: after an Asda shop, Romneys for Agnes Ghost and **

High Crag via Sheepbone Rake

A walk on a blustery day with Ian Rawe.

Route: leaving the car at the NT car park, Buttermere, and walking to the west side of the lake and ascending the steps towards Red Pike for 10m, then turning left onto a grassy horizontal track, parallel to the lakeside path. Following this - marshy and wet after recent rain - as far as a fork, shortly after a stream crossing, where bearing right on a fainter path to a stile out of the woods. Turning left along a faint path above a wall, then gaining height more steeply into Burtness Combe. Picking up the path to High Stile for a while before turning left off it to head back into the combe towards the start of Sheepbone Rake, which involved some hand over hand work over moss and bilberry plants. Eventually ascending the Rake on a mix of path and scree and then heading right, surprisingly steeply, up chimneys to the summit plateau. Changing plans because of the wind and descending to Scarth Gap and back along the west of the lake.

Conditions: dry and warm for November but very windy on the summit.

Pub: the Buttermere Court (aka Fish) Hotel for Allendale Brewery Wolf and Wagtail and Great Corby Lakeland Summit and Mandarina

Fellside Wood and Old Hutton

A 4km stroll in a brief dry spell in a day of rain.

Route: Leaving the car on the road east of the top of Old Hutton by Fellside Wood and walking south through it. On exiting, turning left on a sodden footpath to the road to turn right. At a farm, turning left on a track and then right to cross fields to Popplemire Lane, rescuing a trapped sheep from a wire fence on the way. Turning an immediate right to cross a field of sheep and climb slightly to the middle of the Old Hutton settlement and then right uphill to the edge of the village. There turning right on a footpath across fields to re-join but slightly vary the outward route so as to visit the millennial four-way seat.

Conditions: largely dry, contrary to the forecast.

Pub: the Station Inn, Oxenholme, for Bowness Brewery Swan Blonde.

7km Kentmere run including the Three Rivers path

A 7km run constituting the end of the NHS Couch to 5km programme. 

Route: leaving the car parked near the Ullthwaite Bridge, crossing the bridge and running along the track past Croft Head and right along a path through the pottery to the Hollingworth & Vose factory. Running through the factory yard to take the green valley bottom path towards Kentmere Hall but at a crossroads in the woods near the end, bending slightly left to rise to reach the return path, climbing slowly onto the moors. At the crossroads of paths at a stream crossing, taking the left turn descending the Three Rivers path, to the controversial resurfacing. Past Croft Head and down the road to Ullthwaite Bridge and the car.

Conditions: a brief interlude in the rain on a grey autumnal day.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, for Hawkshead Session IPA and Windermere Pale Ale.

Orrest Head

A short walk with Jamie on a Wednesday.

Route: leaving the car in the Booths car park (free for 2 hours) and taking the marked path to Orrest Head, for the first time since access had been improved for wheelchairs, cutting corners on available footpaths to reach the summit. Then heading east off the summit to reach a clearly marked path in a wall corner through Common Wood to reach the A591 a little to the east of the station and back to the start.

Conditions: a dry spell during a generally wet day.

Pub: earlier, the Watermill Ings for Windermere  Blonde, Bit r Ruff and a Winter's Tail and lunch. Later various beers in Indiecraft, Kendal, joined by Anne and Frank.

Midtown Cottages to Buttermere

A spontaneous 7-mile walk to Buttermere with Jamie (Lois only), despite the weather forecast.

Route: Leaving the cottage for a short circuit out via High Swinside Farm and back via the village shop for lunch but, the rain still distant and the air still, continuing on past the summit of the road at High Swinside Farm to join the footpath to see whether it was possible to cross Hope Beck. Having crossed, deciding to duck out of climbing up the Dodd and carry on and following the footpath (very damp in places) all the way to Lanthwaite Green where the rain started to fall beside a barely visible but well-filled Crummock. 

From there following the road down to Rannerdale, round the Knotts (in increasingly blustery wind and rain) and on to Crummock South Beach - briefly trying to find the path to cut the corner but finding the branches a bit low and lively at the wall around Great Wood to make it any fun and returning to the road. Walking on to Buttermere along the road and stopping briefly at the Bridge before catching the next bus back to Lorton.

Conditions: Initially still and dry with high-ish cloud but walking towards a socked-in Buttermere with increasing wind and rain from about half way

Pub: The Bridge, Buttermere, for Tractor Shed Mowdy Pale

Circuit of Grasmere and Rydal Water

A 10km run on Week 9 (the last week) of the NHS Couch to 5km programme.

Route: leaving the car at the Broadgate Meadow car park (£3 for 2 hours) and running south west past Tweedies on the road to the west of the lake. After a short ascent, turning left onto a path down to the lakeshore and along this, climbing on a minor path to the start of Loughrigg Terrace but descending to a shoreline path round Rydal, entering woods at the end to cross the footbridge opposite the Badger Bar. Climbing, at a walk, the steep road at Rydal Mount and turning left on the coffin path, continuing to climb with fine views to the left over the lakes finally descending to Town End and thus to the church. Turning right on the Riverside Path and following this, crossing the Rothay twice to arrive back at the car park.

Conditions: a warm (14C) sunny autumnal day (with lots of people about).

Pub: the Badger Bar, Rydal, for Old School Brewery Badger Beer.

Cycle circuit of the north half of Lake Windermere

A 33km final day of the relocated Back in the Saddle cycle holiday with Ian and Steve.

Route: taking the 10:30am train from Oxenholme to Windermere and heading north on a very busy A591 to Ambleside to buy take-away provisions from the Apple Pie Café and Bakery. Heading south round the one-way system to Rothay Bridge, Clappersgate, and then the minor road (aka Sustrans 637) to Skelwith Fold and steeply uphill to reach the road under Black Crag to the Drunken Duck for a pint outside (and sneakily eaten lunch). Onwards to Knipe Fold and descending to cycle through Hawkshead and west round Esthwaite Water, briefly contemplating but rejecting a half pint at the Cuckoo Brow, and look at the recently-sold Firbank (Philip Sparling’s cottage). Descending to the ferry - via the Hatch (ice cream!) - and then steeply climbing to have a cream tea bravely in fine drizzle on the terrace at Blackwell. Then back to the station via Bowness and the A5074 to catch the 3:54pm train.

Conditions: despite a better forecast, another damp and drizzly day.

Pubs: The Drunken Duck, Barngates, for Barngates Cracker, Goodhew’s Dry Stout. Later The Factory Tap, Kendal, (without Lois) for Fyne Jarl, Fyne Sublime, Fell Crag and Thornbridge Jaipur 

Arnside and Silverdale cycle loop

A 45km cycle second day of the relocated Back in the Saddle cycle holiday with Ian and Steve.

Route: from the house down Oxenholme Road and along Natland Mill Beck Lane and Wintergreen Lane to reach Natland Road to Natland. Along to Sedgwick and Hincaster (stopping to investigate the canal tunnel, completed Christmas Day 1817) eventually taking the second turning for Heversham for Steve to point out his (maternal) grandparents’ much-frequented holiday house. Then via Sustrans route 700 across Milnthorpe Marsh to rejoin the road to Arnside and cycle to the Albion for a pint outside, to await the Arnside Bore (forlornly). Afterwards, steeply ascending the hill to reach the coast at Far Arnside and then the Woodlands Hotel for a further beer. Heading onwards via Beetham along the overgrown Paradise Lane to Ackenthwaite and home via Viver, the end of the canal and the rising ridge to descending into Natland and the outward route.

Conditions: another damp and grey day but with little sustained rain.

Pubs: the Albion, Arnside, for Thwaites Gold and the Bore; the Woodland Hotel, Silverdale, for Titanic Machiato and Cross Bay Citra. Later: Indiecraft, Kendal, for (2/3 glasses of) Verdant Marylou, Verdant Remembering V2, Deya Steady Rolling Man, Tempest Elemental and Fell Tropical Mango Hi-Gloss.

 

Lyth Valley cycle loop

The 35km first day of the 3-day relocated Back in the Saddle cycle holiday with Ian and Steve.

Route: leaving the house and heading down Oxenholme Road into Kendal, crossing Romney Bridge, turning right and ascending via Anchorite Fields and Gillinggate to Brigsteer Road to the edge of Scout Scar and thence to St John’s Church, Helsington, pausing to look inside. Descending to the Wheatsheaf, Brigsteer, for pre-prandial half pints. Then on via Underbarrow and Dobby Lane to the Crook Road to Staveley and the Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall. Home via the back road from Barley Bridge turning right into Burneside and back via Kent Bank and later Valley Drive.

Conditions: initially persistent drizzle and low cloud but later a few brief glimpses of sun.

Pubs: the Wheatsheaf, Brigsteer, for Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde and Cumbria Way and Bowness Bay Fellwalker; the Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall for Brodie’s Prime, WPA, Mosaic, and Hawkshead Bitter. Later the New Union, Kendal, (Beer Festival) for Lakes Brew Co West Coast IPA, Floreffe Dubbel, Arbor Blue Skye Drinking, Marble Pint, Fallen Local Motive, Top Out First Crack and Lakes Brew Co Pale Ale.

NHS couch to 5km session around Great Broughton

The final session of week 6 of the couch to 5km (running for 25 minutes).

Route: leaving the car parked oustide the Punchbowl and heading west on a minor road (also Sustrans 71). At a corner failing to find the track to the right and crossing a field instead, joining the track at the next corner. Following a green track to turn left on a road (towards Broughton Moor) and turning right on a path through a nature reserve. Turning left on the next road and then right on another rather soggy green track back to Little Broughton and thence Main Street, Great Broughton and the pub.

Conditions: significant rain and low cloud.

Pub: the Punch Bowl, Great Broughton for Keswick Brewery KSB and Thirst Quencher.