Route: exiting the Mill Yard over the footbridge and heading north east across fields past the sewage works to the track to Side House. For the first time, turning right and running slowly, and sometimes walking, up the steep hill to Potter Tarn and then in front of it to climb further up to Gurnal Dubs on grassy paths, sometimes muddy. Gently descending past Low Taggleshaw on a track to below Birk Rigg and turning right to lose altitude quickly down a long grassy field with huge views of Kendal and around. Crossing the (Potter Fell) road to take rather complicated paths (with all manner of gates and stiles and lots and lots of lambs!) through farms at Larchbank, High Underbrow and Beetham Bank to join a lateral path, much less clear on the ground than implied by the map. At Braban House joining roads to Bowston and then back to Staveley on the Dales Way.
Conditions: a much better day than forecast: cloudy but with hints of hazy sun.
Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for WPA and Sundowner and lunch joined by Ian Lyne who had completed the long route (66 miles up to Shap and back via Dent) in the Wheelbase Spring Classic.
