Route: leaving the car on the side of the road by The Ruskin Musuem (just; free) and heading through the village and down Lake Road to pick up the Cumbria Way through a camp site and then along the lake shore until forced inland near Sunny Bank Jetty. Crossing the road and heading, with the Cumbria Way, by the side of a stream up a gently rising valley to rather desolate (wild, empty, hilly! – LS) moorland. After a grazing occultation with a minor road, continuing up a narrow defile to reach Beacon Tarn. At this point leaving the Cumbria Way to follow the outflow stream down to the foot of the lake. Across the river and taking a path to the left across two fields to join the road as far as High Nibthwaite. Now ascending on a stony track on the shoulder of the fellside with views across the lake. Lois being in some difficulty from here (owing to her dodgy piriformis! – LS), the run being increasingly mixed with walking now along forest tracks before descending, with some navigational confusion (one should turn left, left again and then look for a further left!), to the lakeside road and taking the path beside this back to the start.
Conditions: initially cloudy with some sun. Towards the end of the expedition, heavy showers and a strong, biting wind.
Pub: The Black Bull for (Old Man Ale and) Coniston Infinity IPA.
