Circuit from Kendal to take in Skelsmergh church

A 9km run so that Lois could see the Skelsmergh church war memorial before conducting a Remembrance Day service the following day.

Route: taking the 41 bus to the Kendal bus station and running north along the riverside footpath to cross the footbridge over the river and run along the east side of the river to the A6. Crossing the river on the road bridge and turning left along Gilthwaiterigg Lane, initially between industrial units becoming a more countrified c-road. Turning right on a footpath at Gilthwaiterigg, between buildings and across a precarious ladder stile, to run over fields, past signs of the Thirlmere aqueduct, to reach a busy c-road near Lowegroves; turning right down the A6 to the road to St John the Baptist, Skelsmergh. 

After looking at the war memorials, continuing downhill to turn right onto a path north of the River Mint past a campsite to where the Thirlmere aqueduct crosses the river and using this to get to the other side (an easy climb of two metal fences and a wide path above the pipes). Then following the river to turn left on the A6 to find a footpath/snickleway starting left off White Stiles, eventually across the tall iron footbridge over the railway line to Lidl (where buying spirits) and continuing at a walk to Masons at Yard 46. (Returning home by bus.)

Conditions: a completely colourless grey day.

Pub: Masons at Yard 46, for Cumbrian Ales, Loweswater Gold. 

7km circuit of Lorton village

A run round the village on a grey November afternoon before driving back to Kendal.

Route: leaving the cottage and running south along the road and round the corner past the village hall to the lane to Hill Mill and then on to Low Swinside. Crossing to the far side of the farmyard to find a path over three fields to reach a c-road, turning right, north, for 500m. Taking a right turn onto a path across a field to join the enclosed track back to Hill Mill. Turning left and following a track by the stream back to the same c-road and right to a crossroads in the middle of Lorton. 

Turning left to the main Low Lorton crossroads and right past the pub to the new footpath at the north end of the village back to Church Lane and back to the church. Then left on another footpath to the c-road past Lorton Park and home.

Conditions: grey but mild and dry.

Pub? No but, earlier, the Punchbowl, Great Broughton, for East London Brewery, Walthamstow Green Hopped Pale Ale and Unsworth’s Yard, Cartmel, Last Wolf.

Circuit of Loweswater

A 7km run round Loweswater on a dry but grey October day.

Route: leaving the car at the substantial lay-by to the west end of Loweswater (by a former phone box now defibrillator) and ascending the tarmac track to Miresyke at a slow run and then walking on a rough stony track to the green lane. Descending the green lane, running, to the road and then along it, climbing gently, to the track down to Maggie’s Bridge and along to the south-west side of Loweswater. 

Running along wide, clear, level paths with views of the lake, eventually climbing to Hudson Place and descending towards Waterend but turning right on a path to reach the car. 

Conditions: 12C and mainly cloudy. 

Pub: the Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater (surprisingly packed at 1pm, Saturday), for Cumbrian Ales Esthwaite Bitter and Grasmoor Dark.