Whitbarrow Scar 9+km variant

A 9km run with blue skies and some sun after 36 hours of drizzle and rain during the second coronovirus lockdown.

Route: leaving the car at the side of the quiet road which probably formed the original route of the A590 near the road to Raven’s Lodge and running up this, past the farm and then left along a track under White Scar gaining height. This time, the flat bed of ancient rock was dangerously slippy so progress was possible only at its left hand edge. Shortly after entering a wood and passing a bench, angling right uphill to climb onto the top of the plateau and then through and back through a wall to gain more height to enjoy fine views south over the Kent Estuary. Then taking paths rising gently, with views over the Winster valley and to the Lakeland Fells, to reach the summit. Further north and east to cross a wall stile and, where the marked path turned left, continuing forward to a T-junction. This time simply turning left on a track and descending, ignoring a track to the right, to reach a gate and a T junction. Turning right and following this clear bridleway to its end, very wet and muddy under foot. Once the sense of elevation to the right had passed, descending on a narrow path down to Rawsons farm and then on a track back to Raven’s Lodge and thus the car.

Conditions: blue sky and some sun after a lengthy period of low cloud and rain.

Pub? During the second C-19 lockdown, The Summerhouse for Hawkshead Route 606 and Eden Brewery Emperor.

10km Kentmere run

A 10km run on a warn sunny November Saturday. 

Route: leaving the car parked on the side of the road near the 

Hollingworth & Vose factory and running through the factory yard to take the green valley bottom path towards Kentmere Hall but at a crossroads in the woods near the end, bending slightly left to rise to reach the return path, climbing slowly onto the moors. At the crossroads of paths at a stream crossing, continuing straight on the alluvial soil path (passing bikers, runners and a family out walking with children, dogs and Mary, the 5-month old family cat) to reach a gravel track. Taking the first left but ignoring the second to continue to a footpath descending across fields. Just before Browfoot, taking a permissive path that leads round the farm to join the riverside track to its west. Along past Crofthead and Sawmill Cottage to reach the Hollingworth & Vose factory again and the car.

Conditions: a bright sunny cloudless day.

Pub? On the first week of the second Covid-19 lockdown, a delicious shared bottle of ‘What was and will be’ Brewing’s Patterns Seem to Form in The Summerhouse.

Dorothy Farrer's Wood and Craggy Plantation stroll

A tiny less than 5km stroll on the first (and decidedly undecided) day after polling in the US election 2020 but with lovely autumn colours. 

Route: leaving the Staveley Mill Yard via the footbridge over the River Kent and taking the muddy path towards the sewage works but, at the first flooded field, diverting left through a gate and then through gaps and gates across fields, disturbing several deer, to meet the road opposite the path into Dorothy Farrer’s Wood. Taking this very marshy path and turning left through the first hand-gate and keeping to the left of the woods on clear paths climbing and eventually exiting near Piked Howe, crossing part of Mike’s Wood in the process. Briefly descending the road but bearing right across marshy fields to climb to the corner of Craggy Plantation and entering through a partially wired-closed gate. Continuing along the top of the woods to descend fields to Barley Bridge and back along the road and then riverside path to the outward footbridge.

Conditions: a still (and thoroughly spirit-lifting) autumn afternoon.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, for final (£2 a pint!) pre-second lockdown pints of Hawskhead Red and Gold.