A 6km run from the Rectory at 9am in case of later heat during a two week dry sunny spell.Route: From the rectory, heading south on Lorton Road and then left onto the Sustrans route to the Greenway crossing Tom Rudd Beck on a path just to the left of the new road bridge on Sandybeck Way. Following this round to take the third left connecting - for pedestrians only - to Ullswater Drive. Turning left from this onto Swinside Close and via a path to Loweswater Close and via Gable End to Slatefell Drive. Following this to the end and then along a path to a footbridge over Bitter Beck to join St Helen’s Street and head east, gradually gaining a bit of altitude.
Just beyond the gate onto Watch Fell on the left, taking the second path on the right to across a field, to climb a stile and cross a stream (very shallow after the recent drought) on rough stepping stones. Climbing very gradually on a path in the narrow Brick Kiln Wood to exit onto fields and continue with Slate Fell above and on the right. After a gate taking an obvious diagonal path uphill to cross a more main track and walk uphill to the round summit of Slate Fell (with lots of mysterious sink holes). Descending by a fence to the west to the main track and following this across fields to a new housing estate at the edge of Cockermouth. Taking a gravel path down to the left round the houses to a road and thus to the Greenway to take the first gate into the cemetery and thence home.
Conditions: at 9am, a cool breeze, but warmer in the sun.
Pub? Not at 10am!
