A spontaneously-extended icy walk to the Kirkstile Inn, and back, on a glorious cold and frosty day.Route: Leaving the cottage comparatively late (11:45am) and walking up the Boonbeck Road and then right on the lateral footpath to a farm and driveway back left to Scales and then up the enclosed track to reach the balcony path to High Swinside, with some of the recent heavy rain locked up in frozen mud. Then south along the road to the footpath on the left along to the new footbridge under Dodd and then continuing along the valley-side path. Spurning a shorter route that would have secured provisions for an evening meal (ie before the LVS shut), continuing to the path to Beck House and Pickett Howe, which involved a tricky crossing of Coldgill beck in spate. Reaching the road near Palace Howe and picking a way across occasional patches of ice along roads to the Kirkstile Inn for beer and a light lunch.
Afterwards, taking the Thackthwaite Road, again with some icy patches, back to Lorton and across the fields via the church home.
Conditions: after a cold (-2C) night following heavy rain, a beautiful sunny frosty day but with a mixture of waterlogged and frozen conditions under foot.
Pub: The Kirkstile Inn for Pinnacle, Loweswater Goldn and Vanilla Oatmeal Stout (on keg) and lunch (a scotch egg and a salmon sandwich).
