Running circuit of Buttermere

A short evening run round Buttermere.

Route: leaving the car at the foot of the Newlands Pass (spaces after 5pm) and descending to pick up a track through Wilkinsyke Farm to turn right onto the lake side path, through the tunnel eventually to rejoin the road. At Gatesgarth Farm turning right on a path across the head of the lake to pick up the path back on the south side through swarms of evening thunder flies to reach the Bridge Inn for a pint and then back to the car.

Conditions: a still September evening with some sun.

Pub: The Bridge Inn, Buttermere, for Yates, Entente Cordiale and Strands Brewery, Dark Night.

Cycle circuit of Kielder Water

A quick evening ride before the start of the OWPG weekend at Kielder.

Route: from the pub at Falstone, taking a minor road by the tea room north. At a gate, pushing uphill on a very stony track to join the cycle route and cycling up a less stony track to the damn. Then along an undulating cycle track by the reservoir on a reasonable sand / gravel surface. After a stop at the Kielder Castle tearooms, returning on the road.

Conditions: a dry cloudy evening with some hints of sun.

Pub: none: a bottled Wylam beer at the OWPG buffet.

Lingmell via the side of Piers Gill

A fine fell walk amid impressive rock scenery.

Route: leaving the car at the main Wasdale Head village green carpark (2 hours drive away; free all day) and heading north from it along the rough track past the church and through Burnthwaite Farm. After crossing a bridge following a signed route across the marshy valley floor to keep close to the Lingmell Beck than the main route to Styhead. Shortly after a confluence of streams, crossing Spouthead Gill to join a path initially zigzagging before following Piers Gill's left bank (as seen by us). Crossing the bottom of Greta Gill and continuing on the edge of Piers Gill until the path veers away to climb though a band of rock (slightly hairy having moved a few feet off the best route) before rejoining the edge. Then up to join the Corridor Route (suddenly busy) and right to Lingmell col, Lingmell summit and the fine cairn to the north. Down the breast of the hill towards Wastwater and following a well used path back to the village green.

Conditions: an utterly delightfully sunny clear and still day but with good visibility.

Pubs: the Strands, Nether Wasdale, before the walk, for Strands Brewery Low Flyer and Green Bullet and the Fox and Hounds, Ennerdale Bridge, for Ennerdale Brewery WPA afterwards.

Rhins cycle circuit

A 75km circuit of the Rhins from Portpatrick.

Route: leaving the car by the harbour and climbing out of Portpatrick to turn right on Portree Terrace, climbing onto high ground with views over the sea. Keeping to C-roads as close to the west as possible, but crossing slowly back east passing Cairngarroch and Clachanmore to descend to Ardwell on the east coast. South on the A716, turning right on the B7065 to Port Logan (and a typically attractive Scottish pub ‘open all year’). Then gradually climbing to Kirkmaiden and eventually, in increasing rain, to the Mull of Galloway for coffee and cake at the visitor centre. Afterwards, back the same way as far as Damnaglaur but descending to Drummore and then quickly, in rain, along the A716 to Sandhead for a(nother) rather dismal pub experience. Taking the B7042 uphill as far as North or Little Port of Spittal and a left turn at a cross road to rejoin the outward route.

Conditions: initially cool with high cloud but despite a dry forecast rain starting around 1pm.

Pubs: Tigh na Mara, Sandhead for Belhaven IPA and the Crown Hotel, Portpatrick for Caledonian Golden XPA.

Haugh of Urr to New Galloway cycle circuit

An 80km cycle ride from Netheryett on a wet day.

Route: from Netheryett, north to Haugh of Urr and the left on the military road to Castle Douglas searching forlornly for a nice café. Leaving town due north via Clarebrand to cross a low spur and descend to the Old Bridge of Urr there taking the B794 north. Turning left and then right again at Knockvennie and climbing in torrential rain over the shoulder of hills descending to Parton. Then heading at speed up the A713 to New Galloway in a dry patch to have lunch at the Kenbridge Hotel. Aftewards, crossing the river and heading south on the A762 as far as Laurieston Hall to take a C-road north east back towards Loch Ken and south via Glenlochar to the Bridge of Dee and Rhonehouse for tea at the NTS property at Threave Gardens. Then back via the military road.

Conditions: Rain: initially light, becoming torrential and then dry just before lunch. Afterwards light rain giving way to some blue sky.

Pub: Kenbridge Hotel, New Galloway, for Scottish Borders Brewery, Scottish Blonde and Atlas Range, Three Sisters.

Haugh of Urr to Kippford evening cycle circuit

An early evening jaunt to redeem a day of inactivity in the face of heavy rain.

Route: from Netheryett, north on the B794 turning right and climbing past the Haugh of Urr church and out of the valley to the east. Turning right on a quiet C-road south to cross the A711 and take the B793 south eventually diverging from it on a C-road to Sandyhills. Then heading west on the A710 as far as the left turn for Kippford and a pint. Afterwards, directly back to Netheryett.

Conditions: cloudy evening sun. Cool.

Pub: the Anchor, Kippford, for Sulwath Criffel.

50km cycle circuit of Scout Scar

A late afternoon, early evening solitary ride on a rare sunny day.

Route: past the Station Inn, along Paddy Lane to descend to the A685 and for once following this (surprisingly hilly) to Grayrigg. Left and along minor roads past Whinfell Tarn to Watchgate. Briefly south on the A6 and then down to Garnett Bridge crossing the river to pick up the link to the Potter Fell back road and thence to the Hawkshead Brewery. After a pint, along Station Road to cross the Crook Road and via Underbarrow and Brigsteer to Levens to meet Lois at the Hare and Hounds. Then back, struggling with low blood sugar, via Sizergh Fell Road, Sedgewick ad Natland.

Conditions: a still warm sunny evening.

Pubs: The Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, for Cumbrian Five Hop and the Hare and Hounds, Levens, for OSB Textbook and Hawkshead WPA.

Cycle circuit of the Gilpin and Lyth Valleys

A short (40km) cycle circuit on a lovely sunny September afternoon.

Route: from home to Burneside via Valley Drive and the riverside cycle path. After the station and tennis court, taking the quiet road across the railway line rising uphill to cross the A591 and continuing along Ratherheath Lane past the tarn to turn right onto the Crook Road. After passing the pub taking the next left and right to avoid tackling a steep hill on a busy road before rejoining the main road as far as the church. Turning left on Back Lane and descending the Gilpin Valley as far as Crosthwaite for a pint at the Punchbowl. Taking a minor (though surprisingly wide) road south to meet the A5074 and along this to turn left across the flat bottom of the Lyth Valley to Brigsteer and on to the pub at Levens. After a pint and late lunch, joining the A6 as far as Mabbin Hall Lane and steeply over this to pick up a familiar route home via Hincaster, Sedgwick and Natland.

Conditions: cloudless sun though cool air.

Pubs: The Punchbowl, Crosthwaite for Barngates Tag Lag and Coniston Bluebird. The Hare and Hounds, Levens for Barngates Brathay Gold.