An 8.5km run, walking (only some of) the ups (towards the end), on a day forecast for heavy rain.Route: leaving the car parked by the road near Binsey Cottage and - confirming that, despite OS route suggestions, the desirable logical woodland outward track remains marked ‘PRIVATE - KEEP OUT’ - running along the road north to the outskirts of Ruthwaite and then west up to High Ireby where joining a bridleway first along a track and then over damp fields towards High Houses. Cutting the corner to turn left on a clearer track onto the shoulder, north of Binsey, and then, not strictly legally, veering left across two fields - marshy in places - to skirt to the left a subsidiary summit before reaching the scary gate, disturbing a magnificent hare as we went and watching him career round the marsh back to a place of safety. Finding said gate, for the second time, not actually locked and passing through it onto right-to-roam land. Walking up the final ascent to Binsey and then careering down a clear soft wide grassy track to the start, now Lois’ official favourite running descent.
Conditions: cloudy with increasing drizzle but no actual rain.
Pub: the Pheasant, Keswick, for the delightful surprise of a pint of Ringwoods Old Thumper.
