A 13km Boxing Day expedition.Route: leaving the car by the small waterworks building approaching Southwaite Bridge and taking the path north on the east side of the Cocker, recently much flooded and somewhat marshy, to Simonscales Mill and then on under the A66 to Double Mills, crossing the footbridge and heading to the Cockermouth Paper Shop with due dispatch to try to secure an Observer before noon. Then, for the first time, to the Cock and Bull for a pint. On a beer-infused whim, then walking down South Street to the footbridge and heading for Castlegate Drive to reach a footpath behind the swimming pool to join St Helen’s Street. Following along this to the second footpath to the right into Brick Kiln Wood. Taking this path to almost the far end of Slate Hill and then heading up on a diagonal, across the bridleway, to reach the summit. Descending to the other footpath heading due west slowly down the fell to the newest building site on the edge of Cockermouth, briefly joining Bellbrigg Lonning and turning down across the old railway path and through the cemetery. Across Lorton Road taking Rose Lane to Simonscales Lane, over the A66 and then left on a footpath 200m from the river back to Southwaite.
Conditions: very muddy under foot, still, mild and grey but with high cloud.
Pub: the Cock and Bull, Cockermouth, for Corby Ales Blonde and Wychwood Bah Humbug.
