A 13km run to explore informal access to Benson Knott.
Route: leaving the Close and heading along Hayclose Road to turn right up Kendal Parks Road and onwards under both railway lines on a track. Then heading north parallel with the Main Line to reach and descend Singleton Park Road to turn right, uphill on a narrow enclosed snickleway. Across the railway and then crossing fields to reach Paddy Lane. North along this to the crossroads at Greyhound Farm and right up the road to turn left on the track to Park Head Farm. Boldly through the farmyard and along a clear track, then less clear path at the edges of fields to reach a gate onto access land and uphill to the twin summits of Benson Knott.
Descending southwest on a path but overshooting two obvious gates to slip into the next lower field and eventually finding a gate north of the lower trees to cross two fields to a gate back onto the road. Turning left to the top of the signed track downhill towards Kendal and turning left off it on a footpath to explore ‘Second Res’, a partially full disused reservoir, this time passing round it above it. Then west downhill across the subtle remains of ‘First Res’ through an underpass designed for midgets and left along the work being done shoring up the railway embankment to reach old Sedbergh Road. Down this and across to take roads and snickleways to Bluebell Wood and hence home.
Conditions: sunny with cloudy spells.
Pub? later Pimms with Anita and Fraser followed by supper at Romney’s with Helen, David and Alan
