A 14km walk on a lovely sunny day, the warmest of the year by far.
Route: leaving the Rectory, Lorton Road, Cockermouth and taking the railway path to descend Gallowbarrow and dogleg right-left onto the footbridge over the river and along Sustrans Route 71, crossing the A5086 to take the road into Papcastle. Descending a track to the side of the river and following this, under the A595, to the road into Great Broughton. Taking Meeting House Lane to drop some cheese straws off to Nick and Sue on Alice Street before heading to the Punchbowl for a pint.
Afterwards following the road towards Brigham and then left along Low Road, bending right to take a footpath to East House (farm) and then a slightly fiddly route to cross the A66. On balance mistakenly walking south along the A66 to find a footpath after nearly 1km left onto Moor Street and Brigham Road and then downhill on a snickleway to South Street for a pint in the Cock & Bull. Then back to the rectory via Tweed Mill Lane.
Conditions: a glorious sunny day reaching 18C.
Pubs: the Punch Bowl, Great Broughton, for East London Brewery Table Beer and Barngates Red. The Cock & Bull for Fyne Ales Jarl.
