Dales Way-based 9km circuit

A 9km circuit mainly off road.

Route: from the Staveley Mill Yard, west along Kendal Road to the left turn onto the Dales Way just before the level crossing and following paths across fields to run along the river bank past Cowan Head to Bowston where the route joins the road. Turning right on a road to Bowston Farm and then along a track parallel to and then crossing the railway line and eventually carefully across the busy A591. Through woods to Ashes Lane and on this past the camp site (where tarmac gives way to track). At the point where the route back to Kendal joins from the woods, striking out across the field to a footpath sign and then across fields to cross the A591 again and more fields before crossing under the railway. Then back to the start.

Conditions: ground level cloud and drizzle. Although the river was lower than the previous week, the ground was even more sodden, waterlogged and muddy.

Pub: Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for Cumbrian Five Hop and WPA joined by Sian.

6.5km circuit of Cragg Farm hill

A short practice run after a weeks of heavy rain.

Route: leaving the car at the Mill Yard and exiting Staveley, past the collapsed main bridge, to join the Dales Way as far as Cowan Head. Then uphill on a grassy path but on sodden ground almost joining Winter Lane but heading north west across fields and then on an enclosed track to join the outward route.

Conditions: though some weeks after the major December 2015 floods, the River Kent was high, overlapping the riverside path in places and the ground was generally very muddy. Low cloud and drizzle.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for Cumbrian Five Hop and Windermere Pale Ale (and lunch).

Scout Scar run in snow

A short solitary run in 3 inches of snow (without Lois).

Route: nursing the car up a snowy Brigsteer Road as far as the racetrack and running from there up the main path towards Dave's Cairn but turning left by the Gate in the Corner descending the hill before turning right to reach the Scar and along this to the Mushroom and then back.

Conditions: cold with settled snow and a fresh wind.

Pub: the Riflemans for Abbot Ale with Lois.