Gummers How

A short pre-lunch stroll with Gloria and Paul (Lois being at church).

Route: From the path at the rear of the carpark, through woodland to cross the road, on through more woodland and then climbing the steep paved steps to emerge from the trees to a view of the lake, the Hoad and Morecambe Bay. Then a very gentle scramble to reach the trig point. Returning by heading a little further north and then looping back round east to rejoin the outward path.

Conditions: sunny and cloudy with a hint of Autumn in the leaf colour.

Pub: joined by Lois and Mitch, the Masons Arms, Strawberry Bank for Ulverston Flying Elephant, lunch, and news from Gloria and Paul.

Green Quarter Fell from Staveley

An arduous and rough 17+km run from Staveley up onto Green Quarter Fell and back. Great views from near Hollow Moor into the head of Kentmere but too much rough marshy pathless yomping to count as an entirely successful running circuit.

Route: from the Mill Yard through Staveley to reach Barley Bridge and up Hall Lane past Staveley Head Fell and gradually uphill on the bridleway as far as views of Skeggles Water. Picking our way over very wet marshy ground before leaving the right of way on what seemed like a track on the map but not on the ground and thus rising to a saddle just to the east of Hollow Moor with fine views. Descending steeply to find a path heading south east to Green Quarter. Thence along the road to Kentmere Hall and taking the lower level path - surprisingly dry - to the Kentmere industrial complex and then along the quiet road on the west of the valley before crossing the river to pick up the bridleway past Scroggs Farm to Hall Lane and then the back entrance to the Mill Yard.

Conditions: mainly warm with cloud and hot sun.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for WPA and NZPA with additional halves of IPA and 5 Hop on the arrival of Jemma and Alistair (and Lotte).

Evening stroll to the Strickland Arms

A 10km there-and-back stroll to dinner with Ted Clark and his brother Jack.

Route: across the Strawberry Fields to Natland, across the green and taking the footpath after Appletree south east towards Cracalt Farm eventually crossing the path of the canal on rather a grand bridge and descending to the bank of river Kent. Along this to a footbridge and by Nannypie Lane to the pub. Back the same way in the deepening darkness but only having navigational difficulty in finding the canal bridge.

Conditions: after a windy and sometimes wet day, a pleasant evening and, on the way back, a still night.

Pub: the Strickland Arms, Sizergh for (dinner and) Youngs London Gold and Thwaites Hardy Tup.

Wetherlam

A modest circuit from Coniston whilst staying, with Angie and Alistair, at Fir Bank.

Route: leaving the car on the road beyond the Ruskin Museum and walking further up to turn left on a footpath into the Coppermines area and then turning right uphill just after the hydro-electric scheme. Following the path that contours round the head of the Coppermines valley at a gentle altitude to the remains of the Thriddle water wheel and then up the Thriddle Incline to the Blake How ridge, and then along a grassy path to the top of Black Sails and across marshy ground to Wetherlam. Swirl How and Coniston Old Man being in cloud, turning right to the tarns at the top of Steel Edge but then descending directly to Hole Rake, the hydro-electric scheme and back to the car.

Conditions: low cloud but some sun. Very windy on top. Later, when sitting outside the pub, a warm sunny afternoon.

Pub: the Black Bull, Coniston for Coniston Infinity IPA and K7. Joined, by chance, by Angie and Alistair.