A 3km stroll with Ian Wilson, recuperating from illness, with the walk chosen partly by road resurfacing work blocking the planned trip to Buttermere.Route: leaving the car in the Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park (quite empty, possibly because of the closed roads) and taking the broad track south towards the lake, but then forking left up to reach a saddle (GR 153 211) to the south of the summit of Brackenthwaite Hows. Almost doubling back to climb to the deer gate and then, within the summit area, staying to the left by the wall so as to find the easiest, most gradual, line of ascent. But, at another saddle (GR 153 213 and 182m), deciding this was too much for Ian, and returning the same way to the first saddle.
Then along the ridge within the wood by its eastern wall (with a slight variation at the end to avoid the normal steep scrambly descent) to join the small path descending to the boat house. Thence back along the main track to the car park
Conditions: a still, grey day but for once feeling no colder than the 5C because of the lack of wind.
Pub: the Kirkstile Inn for the very welcome return, after a lengthy gap, of Cumbrian Ales American Invasion and a light lunch.
