Binsey

A 5km stroll on a glorious sunny day with views of snow on the hills.

Route: leaving the car at the obvious Binsey car parking area to its south east and walking carefully along the ungritted road to Fell End Farm. Taking a snowy footpath to the right, diagonally uphill across a field and then guessing when to zigzag back left (north) joining a clearer track (disturbing a hare) through what had been a gate in a fence or hedge and then diverting from it directly uphill to a hand gate. 

Turning left on a series of faint snowy footpaths contouring round the hill until, eventually, we passed a more established path rising uphill. Following this onto the shoulder of the hill to meet the familiar path from the north and along this to the summit. Descending at some speed on the direct route back to the car.

Conditions: just above freezing point, bright sun and cold with snow (and ice on the road) under foot.

Pub: the Sun Inn, Bassenthwaite (village), for Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold.

The Dodd (ie Skiddaw’s)

A 9.5km walk on a gorgeous sunny but suddenly cold November day.

Route: leaving the car at the Ravenstone Manor Hotel and walking along the permissive path parallel to the A591 south to the Dodd Wood car park. After a bit of confusion, crossing the beck on a bridge and following a clear marked (in green as the Dodd Summit trail) path, climbing first above the stream (to our left) and then right on a track and left uphill onto a balcony path through trees to the west of the Dodd (above the osprey viewpoint path). At a junction to the south of the Dodd, turning left on a winding path to the summit. 

Returning to that junction and turning left (east) to descend into the saddle between the Dodd and Carlside and descending the valley, northwards, on the left of the stream (Skill Beck) until signed (green still) to turn sharply back right to another footbridge and across a metalled track onto another balcony path through trees, gaining a surprising amount of height but staying on a marked route (now yellow for the Sandbed Gill trail) through dark forest and eventually 50m beyond where the Sandbed Gill trail turned south, turning sharp left down a steep and leafy path to the back gate of the hotel.

Conditions: bright sun but a chilly 4C especially when out of the sun and in a breeze.

Pub: the Ravenstone Manor Hotel for Corby Blonde. 

Mawbray Bank

A 6km run on a blustery and damp day.

Route: leaving the car at the Mawbray Bank car park and heading directly to the shore but, the tide being almost in, finding the ground either stony or very soft sand (the fine firm sand being under the sea) thus reverting to paths on the lower dunes, later rising onto the higher dunes. Continuing to Beckfoot - where the dunes run out - and then running along the stony beach to reach a 3km notional mark. 

Then across rough grass to turn right/south, first on a clear footpath and then along the cycle path, to a car park and then, after a brief overlap with the outward route, diverting away from the shore on grassy, sandy paths to pass the Belted Galloways and, with a few deliberate zigzags, reaching the car park after the intended notional 6km mark.

Conditions: to start with, surprisingly dry and with higher cloud than the very low cloud and drizzle of Cockermouth and Gilcrux. But then light rain arriving.

Pub: the Masons Arms, Gilcrux, for Bowness Brewery Swan Blonde and Stewart Brewey Edinburgh Dry Stout.

Cockermouth run to the Jennings Brewery on a dark autumn evening

A 5km run to the Brewery, an Outdoor Day because the first dark evening run of the season.

Route: from the Rectory, heading north and then left up Vicarage Drive onto Culgarth Avenue to the two short snickets to reach Dale View and along this to the footbridge at Double Mill. Ascending Fern Bank to Parkside Avenue and along this to cross Lamplugh Road onto Brigham Road. Turning right on Dalton Street, left on Henry Street, right on Harrow Road and then left on Fitz Road to the dark track to The Parklands (initially going wrong by following a lit footpath). 

Descending to Low Road to cross the main road bridge over the River Derwent and then, after 400m, right on Sustrans Route 71, over the footbridge and then the complicated route back (via Low Sand Lane) along the riverside path (now dry after Monday’s flooding) under the footbridge, along Waterlooo Street and over the footbridge over the Cocker to Brewery Lane and the Jennings Brewery. 

After a pint, walking to pick up a pre-ordered Fermento pizza and back home.

Conditions: dry and unseasonably mild.

Pub: the Jennings Brewery, for Sneck Lifter and Cocker Hoop. 

Stile End, Barrow Door and Barrow

A 5km walk with Steve and Kathryn on a blustery cool November morning having visited the cottage to view progress on the building works.

Route: leaving the car at the Coledale Inn and walking round the inn and along the road gaining altitude towards the hills. Joining a stony track to a grassy path and then following the ridge to the right, getting steeper to reach the top of Stile End. Descending on a rocky and sometimes slippery path to the pass at Barrow Door and ascending the gentle incline to Barrow. 

Descending the ridge to the crossroads of paths near Braithwaite Lodge. Given the damp conditions under foot, continuing down the farm track to the road and then taking the path by the stream up to the pub.

Conditions: a cool wind, cold on the tops; mainly cloudy but with hints of sun. 

Pub: the Coledale Inn, Braithwaite, for Corby Blonde and lunch.

Sale Fell

A 5km walk post lunch walk with Steve and Kathryn

Route: leaving the cars at St Margaret’s Church (above the Pheasant Inn) and walking through the churchyard to the gate to the left, crossing laterally to a footpath and then heading uphill to the right and then round the hill gaining ground slowly towards the west. At the end of the ridge (level with a wall) turning left uphill on clear paths to the top. 

Thence down to a subsidiary summit and round to Lothwaite and then descending on a large clear grassy path between bracken to the church. 

Conditions: dry but a surprisingly strong cold wind.

Pub: before the walk, the Embleton Spa Hotel for Cumbrian Ales Loweswater Gold and lunch.