Circuit of Helsington Barrows

A 24km Friday evening cycle ride with two pubs.

Route: from home to Natland, Sedgewick and Sizergh and then up the steep hill over to Levens and down through the town to the Hare and Hounds for a pint. Then back along the Lyth Valley to Brigstear in the gloaming taking the steep hill back over Scout Scar past Helsington and along to Greenside and the Riflemans. Then back home picking up fish and chips at Fryer Tux.

Conditions: cloudy sun to start, cold once night fell.

Pubs: The Hare and Hounds, Levens for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Esthwaite Gold and Salamander Brewery Golden Salamander and The Riflemans Arms, Kendal for Greene King Abbot Ale.

Windermere to Staveley run

An 18+km solitary run between stations.

Route: from Windermere station along the lower footpath to Orrest Head and then continuing northwards but accidentally heading too far to the east and hence crossing boggy fields before reaching and turning right on the road for 300m. Turning left to cross more fields and turning right on the Ings-Troutbeck short cut road to reach the start of the Garburn Pass (Dubbs Road). Along this gaining altitude steadily to the top of the pass before making a very slow steeper descent on the very rocking track to Kentmere. Taking the main road south to reach a bridleway left and climbing over the shoulder of the hillside to reach the top of Hall Lane from which down to the Staveley mill yard and later the station.

Conditions: warm and sunny.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for Hawkshead Cumbrian Five Hop and a half of IPA.

Edge Hill

A post-prandial 3 mile walk with Steve, Katherine, Tom and Alex.

Route: from the Rose and Crown, Ratley following Chapel Lane to some steps beside a house to a stile. Then across a muddy field to reach and walk along Centenary Way as far as a line of trees. Swinging left to follow a faint path descending a shallow valley across fields to a footbridge with a short detour to examine a rusting combine harvester then heading up the far slope to turn left on the road as far as the junction. Then following a path along the edge of the hill just lower than the road before heading down some steep steps to cross afield and turn left along the road in Radway. Bending further left along West End keeping the grounds of The Grange to the left. Passing a pond and some thatched cottages to a stony track through a kissing gate and continuing uphill across a field towards Radway Tower, now the Castle Inn. After a pint, crossing the road to a path running between Cavalier Cottage and Rupert House to turn left at the very quiet road back to Ratley.

Conditions: a grey day becoming sunnier later.

Pub: the Rose and Crown Ratley for lunch and Stratford-upon-Avon, Stratford Gold and Charles Wells Bombardier before the walk. During it, The Castle Inn for Hook Norton Red Rye.