Brackenthwaite Hows 8km stroll

A stroll with Steve, Kathryn and the boys, starting in ground level cloud and rain and quickly improving, eventually giving way to some sun.

Route: leaving the car in the Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park and taking the steep shortcut to reach the start of the the small path up Roger’s Steps to the summit plateau of Brackenthwaite Hows. Descending south and picking up the path within the wood by its eastern wall to join the small path descending to the boat house. Thence round the lake (involving prolonged paddling and regular bridge-scaling by Alex) and turning right to cross fields to reach a track to Highpark Farm where turning left and climbing round the end of Mellbreak before descending to the Kirkstile Inn for a pint and then back along the road to the car.

Conditions: initially, ground level cloud, rain and wind then clouds lifting and dry and finally even some sun.

Pub: the Kirkstile Inn for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Session IPA.

Blencathra via Hall's Fell

A fine 10km walk despite iffy weather with Steve, Kathryn and the boys (staying at No 3 Midtown Cottages).

Route: Leaving the car on the road just east of the Sally and walking back past the pub to take the path by the stream from the centre of Threlkeld, crossing the stream and then diagonally across fields to the foot of Hall’s Fell. Ascending, sticking close to the top of the ridge including the ridge-top section taken à cheval. Descending east on Scales Fell on the recently re-engineered path keeping right to find the path round the hill. Immediately after crossing Scaley Beck encountering significant difficulty climbing a rock step now greasy in the light rain and hence some colleagues walking into the neighbouring field and crossing back over the wall. Meeting one further final surprise: a steep ascent to stay outside farmers’ fields before joining the outward path at the base of Hall’s Fell but then taking a direct southerly path to the road to the west of Threlkeld and thence back to the car.

Conditions: initially cloudy with a gusty wind. Later, light rain becoming heavy only once safely under the shelter in the pub beer garden.

Pub: the Horse and Farrier, Threlkeld, for Jennings Sneck Lifter.

Binsey

An 8km run round and then over Binsey.

Route: leaving the car parked by the road near Binsey Cottage and - discovering that the planned outward track was marked ‘PRIVATE - KEEP OUT’ - running along the road north to the outskirts of Ruthwaite and then west to High Ireby where joining a bridleway first along a track and then over fields to High Houses. Turning left on a clearer track onto the shoulder, north of Binsey, and then, not strictly legally, veering left to find a track across two fields and a subsidiary summit before climbing a gate into right-to-roam land. Walking up the final ascent to Binsey and then careering down a clear soft wide grassy track to the start.

Conditions: cloudy

Pub: Emily’s Black Lion, Ireby, for Great North Eastern Brewing Company Rivet Catcher.

Variant Robinson, Dale Head and (now) Fleetwith Pike circuit

A fine 18km walk with Simon while Lesley worked in (not on!) the cottage

Route: leaving the car at the NT car park in Buttermere (free for members) and walking through Wilkinsyke Farm and down the east side of the lake shore as far as the tunnel. There turning left and following a faint path and then off path through the grounds of Hassness onto the road. Dog-legging right-left to the footpath running steeply up alongside Hassness How Beck, up a ridge with a perhaps a 6-foot stretch requiring hand-over-hand work, and then a long lesser climb to the summit plateau with a diversion left to reach the summit. Descending Robinson and ascending Hindscarth Edge and then Dale Head. Descending to the quarry and then ascending the old tramway to the plateau and then on a faint path right to cross the quarry road and continue on a winding route to the summit of Fleetwith Pike. Then descending the ridge to pick up the path again on the east side of Buttermere, though the tunnel and back to Buttermere.

Conditions: mainly cloudy, warm and humid but no sign of the forecast rain.

Pub: the Bridge Hotel, Buttermere, for Tractor Shed Mowdy Pale Ale.

20km cycle ride to Levens

A short first cycle ride of the season on an iffy Bank Holiday Monday.

Route: from home, through Natland and Sedgwick, heading further south and then back to the bridge, over which taking the track to the left and then pushing the bikes on the footpath underneath the A591 with views of the river. Then via 100m of the pavement of the A590 to the A6 and south and then back north to Levens for a pint in the newly-paved and refurnished outside drinking area of the Hare & Hounds (official opening next Saturday!). Afterwards, taking the steep road over Sizergh Fell and back via Natland in the usual manner.

Conditions: cool and cloudy and some light rain towards the end.

Pub: the Hare & Hounds, Levens, for Lancaster Blonde and Windermere Golden Retriever.

9km run east of Staveley

A run with a few novelties, though based on reversing a previous route, in bluebell season.

Route: from the Mill Yard heading south, not strictly legally, along a faint track through unlocked gates and across fields to keep closer to the river than normal but then rejoining our regular path to the sewage works. At the road, turning left and running uphill to the start of the path through Dorothy Farrer's Spring Wood, gaining height and interrupting a be-stockinged erotic photo-shoot amidst the bluebells. Just before the intended left turn, taking a left through a gate into Mike's Wood and following a fairly faint track zigzagging through this to the originally intended path and to a crossroad of tracks at the summit. Turning right, downhill, through the farm at Frost Hole, stopping to admire three black lambs in a farmyard shed, across a bridge and rising to join the familiar track down to Side House. Here crossing a field to descending again to the road, turning right and then left to join (for the first time) a riverside path to the comparatively newly reinstated bridge at Hagg Foot. Now repeating a familiar circuit of the hill above Cowan Head by turning right just after the Cowan Head complex and following a zigzagging track up hill, approaching Winter Lane but turning right before reaching it to cross fields and then join a path to the road into Staveley and hence back to the start.

Conditions: cool for the time of year though humid. Cloudy but with only a brief hint of rain.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall, Staveley, for Hawkshead WPA a session series beer and lunch