Evening 10km Stanger circuit

A last-minute mainly road 10km run from Lorton ending in a drenching.

Route: from the cottage north on the B5289 to a footpath left opposite Casshow Wood and then across sodden fields jumping pools of standing water as far as Stanger How where a deeper pool required a detour onto the wrong side of a wall and then passing back through a hole where the wall had collapsed to tread warily on partially submerged stones. Climbing a grassy hill and then descending to Stanger, there picking up roads via Roundclose Hill and Southwaite Bridge to take the minor road past the Rogerscale farms and thus to the pub.

Conditions: a darkening evening followed by torrential rain for the last 3km.

Pub: the Wheatsheaf, Lorton for Jennings Bitter and Old Rosie cloudy cider (!).

9/12km circuit of Kentmere

A good run on a blustery day.

Route: leaving the car gingerly at the top of the road from Browfoot at the end of the tarmac and heading on sometimes flooded tracks to join the grassy, then raised path north across marshy common, past a crossroads of paths and then descending towards Kentmere village but turning sharp right onto a muddy track to rejoin the right of way by Kentmere tarn to the factory and pottery. Here L continuing on the original plan by following tracks along to just short of the farm and then cutting up across fields to the road and the car and T continuing along the road to Staveley via Scroggs Farm and the footbridge into the rear of the Mill Yard.

Conditions: all weathers: cloud, showers, sun.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for WPA and IPA.

Mellbreak

A fine ascent of the local Suilven.

Route: leaving the car at the Scalehill Bridge NT car park and taking woodland paths to Crummockwater past the pumphouse. Slightly confused by paths on the marshy ground, eventually taking a path after the ruined peel tower to cross the valley to High Park. Here finding a path left through a gate to reach a track climbing a little and then turning right with a wall to the right and following this round the end of Mellbreak under Raven Crag. Joining the obvious path up the hill on scree zigzagging eventually to reach the ridge and thence the top. Striding along the wide and marshy top to reach the further summit with cloudy views over Buttermere. Descending eventually to a fence (an earlier right turn would have been better) and turning right to meet the path that circuits Mellbreak. Following this, very marshy in places, to descend into Mosedale and then the Kirkstile Inn. After a pint, walking the 1km back to the car.

Conditions: much cooler than the previous day with cloud and less clear air.

Pub: The Kirkstile Inn for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold. (A first sighting of American Invasion but sadly just as it was going off.)

Stroll round Buttermere

A short sunny stroll with Mark and Georgia.

Route: leaving the car at the National Trust car park (spaces at 11am) and walking along the road past the pubs to pick up a track through Wilkinsyke Farm then turning right onto the lakeside path, through the tunnel eventually rejoining the road for 100m. At Gatesgarth Farm turning right on a path across the head of the lake to pick up the path back on the south side.

Conditions: surprisingly warm for September with deep blue skies and sun.

Pub: The Bridge Hotel, Buttermere, for Tractor Shed Mowdy and Hesket Newmarket Haystacks.

Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale and Silverdale circuit

A 65km ride on a reasonably pleasant September Sunday.

Route: leaving Kendal on the B6254 climbing past Old Hutton, under the M6 and eventually to the summit of the ridge of hills between Kendal and the Lune Valley. Then descending at speed through Old Town to reach Kirkby Lonsdale for a beer in the sun on the pavement outside the Royal Hotel. Staying on the B6254 through Whittington but turning right afterwards onto a c-road past Docker Park, and Borwick in the valley of the River Keer. Briefly joining the A6 (turning accidentally right not left) and so climbing Snape Lane to Yealand Conyers and following this road north and west past Silverdale Station to the Wooodlands Hotel, Silverdale for a second beer (£2.55!) and roll (£1.20!). Then on to Arnside, Storth and the Cumbria Coastal Way to Heversham and diverting from normal practice by taking a tiny road next to the railway line to descend to Sedgwick and home via Natland.

Conditions: sun and cloud all day. An early breeze never impeding progress.

Pubs: Royal Hotel, Kirkby Lonsdale for Bowland Brewery Hen Harrier and Lancaster Brewery Straw. The Woodlands Hotel, Silverdale for Animal Brewing Co Pukeko and Connoisseur Ales Lantern House.

Revisiting Reivers cycle day trip

A 46km loop via Cockermouth with increasing views over Bassenthwaite.

Route: from Lorton to Cockermouth and then along Sustrans route 10 to the north of Watch Hill along the Derwent Valley via Bewaldeth to take the road under Binsey gaining altitude. Then a long speedy descent to try the Castle Inn at Kilnhill (beer needing changing and so) then on to The Pheasant under Sale Fell. After a pint and homemade crisps retracing the route to visit the Lakeland Distillery (to have a quick tasting and then buy a bottle of gin) and then steeply up and then along the road south of Watch Hill, descending to Cockermouth and thence home.

Conditions: gradually improving with sun at the pub stop and on the way into Cockermouth (following the next day's Tour of Britain route).

Pub: the Phesant Inn, Bassenthwaite for Black Sheep Bitter and Coniston Bluebird.

Rannerdale Knotts tootle

A short pre-prandial walk with Mark and a very pregnant Verity.

Route: from the National Trust car park heading south for 50m to take a grassy track by a wall until a convincing grassy track headed uphill towards the saddle at the south end of Rannerdale Knotts. Along the ridge to the summit and then carefully down the wet rock staircase turning left and south to meet the shore of Crummock Water. Along obvious paths through woodland, by the lake and by a campsite to reach the Bridge Hotel. After a pint, back to the start.

Conditions: low cloud and rain.

Pub: the Bridge Hotel, Buttermere for Tractor Shed Mowdy, Tirril Bridge Inn Blonde and Strands Dark Night.