Balcony path under Carling Knott and Burnbank Fell

A short walk with the Hornbys.

Route: leaving the car at Maggie’s Bridge car park and heading uphill past meadows and High Nook Farm to cross the beck on a small footbridge. There picking up a gently rising wide balcony path above Holme Wood. This time taking a right hand turn just before crossing the stream to descend a diagonal path through trees. On reaching a forest track, turning left to reach the main path through the woods near (though not by) Loweswater. Then back to the car.

Conditions: a cool breeze with some hints of sun.

Pub: the Kirkstile Inn for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Langdale, Loweswater Gold and lunch.

Great Sca Fell

A pre-lunch walk on a bright but cold winter's morning.

Route: leaving the car at Longlands (empty at 10am, full by 12:30) and heading east on a level track across grass to the end of Longlands Fell's northerly ridge and then up that (cutting the corner) on a grassy, occasionally marshy, route to the summit. Then down and up Lowthwaite Fell and down again to join a bridleway to Little Sca Fell and Great Sca Fell. Down the ridge to Meal Fell and on to drop down to Trusmadoor and over marshy ground to reach a bridleway back to the start.

Conditions: a low sun giving excellent views but a cold wind.

Pub: the Crown at Hesket Newmarket being closed at lunchtime, the Oddfellows, Caldbeck for Jennings Cocker Hoop and lunch, joined by Mark and Helen Richards.

Circuit of Gillercomb

A short cold circuit but with impressive - if hazy - views back to the Vale of Lorton.

Route: leaving the car on the roadside at Seathwaite and taking a path to cross the river and climb a pitched path with some hand over hand work by the side of the impressive waterfalls of Sour Milk Gill. On reaching level ground heading, pathless, to reach cliffs under a hanging stone and left round the end on a clear narrow path. Then climbing, right, onto the ridge and hence to the summit of Base Brown. Then on in biting wind to the summit of Green Gable (with confusing views of Great Gable behind it suggesting an extra necessary climb) and back to Brandreth and Grey Knotts. Descending by the side of a fence in the direction of Honister until below the main summit massif at which point taking a sheep path round the hillside towards Seathwaite. Then picking a pathless route across marshy ground to reach a ladder stile over the intake wall and pick a steep path through mine workings back to the start.

Conditions: cloudy, dry but with a biting cold wind.

Pub: the Scafell Hotel, Rosthwaite for Jennings Sneck Lifter.

Catbells

A short very blustery Boxing Day walk.

Route: leaving the car on the road to Grange (very parked up!) about 500m south of the end of the ridge and clambouring steeply on to the end of the balcony path and hence onto the recently re-engineered path to the summit, buffeted by strong winds. Continuing south beyond the summit to descend a staircase-like path at Hawse Gate to pick up the balcony path and following this to the end and then back to the car along the road.

Conditions: higher cloud than the previous day and dry but strong winds.

Pub: the Farmer's Arms, Portinscale for Jennings Red Breast and Marstons Owd Roger (including mixing them).

Derwentwater pootle

A short stroll on a dark wet Christmas Day with Mark and Sandra.

Route: leaving the car near Hawse End (on an empty road with pheasants crossing in all directions) and taking the path to the lake shore and along this to Manesty Park where picking small paths uphill to the road and then back to the car.

Conditions: low cloud and then rain.

Pub: Middle Ruddings, Braithwaite for Kirkby Lonsdale Single Track

Circuit of Loweswater

A 7km late morning run, this time counter-clockwise to get the road running over with first.

Route: leaving the car at the small car park at Maggie's Bridge and running back up its drive to the main road and then west as far as the track signposted unfit for motor vehicles. Up this gaining views over the lake as far as the second path to the left and then straight down Grange Lane, a long, steep green lane to dogleg across the road and pick up the gravel path initially uphill and then back round the lake.

Conditions: cold, sunny and bright.

Pub: the Kirkstile Inn for Cumbrian Legendary Ales American Invasion and Loweswater Gold.

Staveley 8km run

A short run with Steve (whilst Lois was at church) (after two weeks of a cold).

Route: exiting the Mill Yard over the footbridge and heading south east across muddy fields to the sewage works and along the road to the track to Side House. Up the valley on road and track to Ghyll Bank turning left descending over fields to cross Hall Road. A little back taking the path again downhill across fields and via a pretty bridge to Low Elfhowe and then back along a track to Scroggs Farm and the footbridge to the Mill Yard.

Conditions: a cold but bright and sunny wintry day.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley joined by Lois, Mark and Sandra for lunch and WPA, Cumbrian Five Hop, Hawkshead Gold, Brodie's Prime, Hawkshead Red and NZPA.

Tiny stroll in Craggy Plantation (again)

An autumnal stroll with Andrew and Helen, Anton and Lois before a pub lunch at the Brewery.

Route: from the Mill Yard, across the footbridge and north east to join the road bending left to climb towards Craggy Plantation. Entering the woods and, after stopping to try a rope swing on a slippery 45-degree slope, following the path round, gaining height to a view north towards the head of Kentmere. After another pause for more rope swings, leaving the wood and descending steeply across fields to pick up the road at Barley Bridge back to the footbridge and hence the Brewery.

Conditions: a still cloudy day.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for Cumbrian Five Hop, Windermere Pale Ale and Hawkshead Red (and lunch).

White Stones and the Dodd

A short walk on a chilly blustery autumnal day.

Route: leaving the car outside the Under Skiddaw village hall (£2) at Millbeck and because of a broken bridge heading up a track to the east to cross a footbridge and hence to the start of a footpath signed Skiddaw. Heading increasingly steeply up a grassy track until recent path re-engineering had introduced a series of zig-zags up the steepest part. Then continuing on to White Stones (quartz embedded rocks) and heading briefly laterally and then downhill at a cairn towards the Dodd. Crossing a forestry track at a stile and then taking a track and then well made gravel path leading eventually to the summit. Retracing the route to the stile and continuing 600m down it to find a grassy track behind a wooden hut into the forest and turning off it downhill on a less clear path eventually emerging onto the hillside and down to the road close to Millbeck.

Conditions: a cold autumnal day, rather less sunny than forecast.

Pub: the Pheasant, Keswick for Jennings Cocker Hoop.

Dowel Dale, Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill

A surprisingly dramatic circuit with two sharp ascents with Kathryn, Steve and the boys.

Route: leaving the cars at Earl Sterndale and heading west across fields to Glutton Grange. There following a grassy track northwest in a shallow valley. Bending west to the quiet road in Dowel Dale and north west to Stoop Farm. Following permissive paths across fields to the start of the steep ridge of Chrome Hill and to the top. Descending the ridge to cross a minor road and then Steve, Lois and I ascending an unpleasant muddy very steep path to gain the ridge of Parkhouse Hill, easing towards the summit. Down the ridge to meet the outward path and hence back.

Conditions: still, cloudy warm.

Pub: Church Inn, Chelmorton for Thornbridge Peverel (and lunch).

Rowtor Rocks and Stanton Moor from Birchover

A circuit in Peak District farmland countryside with Paul and Katya.

Route: taking the track behind the Druid's Inn, Birchover, to spend some time exploring Rowtor Rocks. Then along the track crossing fields to join the Limestone Way on Dudwood Lane and then south west on a track to Bank Top Farm and then descending by Wyns Tor to Winster. Heading north on a narrow paved path across marshy ground then climbing steeply to cross Clough Lane and past Barn Farm onto Stanton Moor (after a short accidental detour). Over moorland to Nine Ladies Stone Circle and then back via the Cork Stone to descend along a track to the start.

Conditions: cloudy with some sun but also the threat of rain later on.

Pub: the Druid's Inn, Birchover, for Oakham Ales Citra and Bishop's Farewell and Acorn Brewery Barnsley Bitter (and lunch).

Matlock pootle

A short Saturday morning stroll with Paul and Katya.

Route: leaving the B&B in Derwent Avenue and heading north on Dale Road to Snitterton Road. Taking the Limestone Way on a grassy path but turning left off it to follow paths - some across fields some muddy in trees - contouring round the hillside with growing views of the cliffs under High Tor. On reaching a road by St John's Church taking a higher path to Matlock Dale and above the complex of Heights of Abraham. Continuing further along the path to reach a crossroad of paths and then descending on slippery leaves to minor roads. Here taking a muddy path back to St John's Church. descending towards the main road but taking a path back uphill to reach the outward route and hence back.

Conditions: surprisingly warm with some sun.

Pub: Twenty Ten, Matlock for Amber Ales BHS and Matlock Wolds Farm Matlock Green and MAD as Azacca.

Hopegill Head

A last minute dash at the end of an Autumn day onto utterly empty summits.

Route: from the Lorton cottage, taking the bridleway to Swinside and thence steeply up the front of the Dodd and then briskly on a clearer path onto the Whiteside ridge turning left to reach the summit of Hopegill Head. Descending at a jog to Coledale Hause. At this point deciding that there was not enough time to make the 6:24pm bus from Buttermere and hence, instead, descending into the Gasgale Gill valley to follow a path washed away in places by the 2015 floods. On reaching the road, deciding, rather than waiting for the bus, to walk home via a path to Low and High Hollins and the minor road via Hopebeck to Lorton, in the deepening gloaming.

Conditions: a surprisingly warm late afternoon/early evening.

Pub: the Wheatsheaf, Lorton for Brakspear Varsity.

Brim Fell

An autumnal ascent of Brim Fell only.

Route: leaving the car on the road past the Ruskin Museum in Consiston and continuing on foot on the road/track towards the coppermines but turning left over the Miners’ Bridge to pick up a good path under the Bell. Accidentally taking a wrong turn and hence finding ourselves at the Pudding Stone and Boulder Valley and so gently climbing on a grassy path to reach Levers Water, bending left to take the pitched path up to Levers Hause and then along to the summit. Descending by picking a largely pathless route towards Raven Tor to find a clear grassy path down a shallow valley to Low Water. Picking up the main tourist path (possibly for the first time ever) to descend to meet the outward path but staying on the south side of Levers Water Beck at the Miners’ Bridge and hence back past the Sun to the Black Bull for a pint and then back to the car.

Conditions: initially a sunny autumn day giving way to cloud and one very light shower.

Pub: the Black Bull, Coniston for Coniston Infinity IPA and Bluebird XB.

Staveley 8km run

A short run awaiting Lois who was at a physiotherapy appointment.

Route: exiting the Mill Yard over the footbridge and heading north east across fields past the sewage works to the track to Side House. For the first time, taking the undulating and muddier path on the left of the stream rather than the track on the right and hence reaching Frost Hole and heading left uphill to the road. Past Littlewood Farm and approaching Ghyll Bank but turning left to descend fields, cross Hall Road and descend again across fields and pretty bridge to Low Elfhowe and then back via Scroggs Farm.

Conditions: a sunny autumn day.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for WPA and Cumbrian Five Hop.

20-mile bike ride to Staveley

Looking down the River Sprint running out of Long Sleddale

Cycling to meet a new friend at Wilf's and coming back a longer way than expected.

Route: Taking the most direct (7-mile) route to Staveley, via Dockray Hall Industrial Estate, Burneside and Bowston and looking with horror at the walled up ends of the old bridge on the way into the village from the south. Then setting off back from the Mill Yard via Barley Bridge, along the back road to the Potter Fell Road and staying low as far as Sprint Mill where the thoroughly blocked bridge forced a turning back to take the Garnett Bridge Road. Unable to turn right any earlier, because of more closed roads/bridges, cycling all the way up and over to Garnett Bridge (also looking a bit damaged!) and then back up to the A6 and through Kendal back home.

Conditions: A cold start, particularly in the wind, but hot in warm sunshine when the wind dropped

Pub: Wilf’s for a flat white and fruit scone at 11am with Sue – home for late lunch of lentil soup and home-made bread with Tim in the garden.

Blencathra via Gategill Fell

A fine if short walk on a mainly sunny day.

Route: leaving the car in the car park on Blease Road, Threlkeld, and taking the green track diverting from the road uphill along the beck (Blease Gill). At a gate, continuing straight steeply uphill until the wall on the right turned right. Then heading on a small path through bracken to the obvious boulder of Knott Halloo and then along the ridge and uphill again to reach the main Blencathra ridge. Turing right to reach the summit and then backtracking to descend Blease Fell on the engineered switchbacks and then a delightfully grassy path back to the outward route.

Conditions: the forecast sun present except for 45 minutes of cold wind and cloud on the higher fell.

Pub: the Horse and Farrier, Threlkeld, for Jennings Sneck Lifter in warm (nay, hot!) sun.

Gilcrux beer festival loop

A 38km cycle ride to a mini beer festival and back.

Route: from the cottage to Cockermouth on the Lorton Road then east on the Isel Road following Sustrans route 10 but turning left to cross the river and then left through Isel to Blindcrake. Crossing the A595 towards Parsonby but turning left to Gilcrux just before. After some beer at the Barn Bistro beer festival (and sausage sandwiches) home via Bridekirk on a rutted road climbing over a ridge of hills.


Conditions: mainly cloudy with hints of sun and a couple of light showers.

Pub: the Barn Bistro, Gilcrux for Fallen New World Odyssey Blonde, Fyne Ales Jarl, Ringwood Forty Niner, and Marstons Old Empire IPA.

Evening 10km Stanger circuit

A last-minute mainly road 10km run from Lorton ending in a drenching.

Route: from the cottage north on the B5289 to a footpath left opposite Casshow Wood and then across sodden fields jumping pools of standing water as far as Stanger How where a deeper pool required a detour onto the wrong side of a wall and then passing back through a hole where the wall had collapsed to tread warily on partially submerged stones. Climbing a grassy hill and then descending to Stanger, there picking up roads via Roundclose Hill and Southwaite Bridge to take the minor road past the Rogerscale farms and thus to the pub.

Conditions: a darkening evening followed by torrential rain for the last 3km.

Pub: the Wheatsheaf, Lorton for Jennings Bitter and Old Rosie cloudy cider (!).

9/12km circuit of Kentmere

A good run on a blustery day.

Route: leaving the car gingerly at the top of the road from Browfoot at the end of the tarmac and heading on sometimes flooded tracks to join the grassy, then raised path north across marshy common, past a crossroads of paths and then descending towards Kentmere village but turning sharp right onto a muddy track to rejoin the right of way by Kentmere tarn to the factory and pottery. Here L continuing on the original plan by following tracks along to just short of the farm and then cutting up across fields to the road and the car and T continuing along the road to Staveley via Scroggs Farm and the footbridge into the rear of the Mill Yard.

Conditions: all weathers: cloud, showers, sun.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for WPA and IPA.

Mellbreak

A fine ascent of the local Suilven.

Route: leaving the car at the Scalehill Bridge NT car park and taking woodland paths to Crummockwater past the pumphouse. Slightly confused by paths on the marshy ground, eventually taking a path after the ruined peel tower to cross the valley to High Park. Here finding a path left through a gate to reach a track climbing a little and then turning right with a wall to the right and following this round the end of Mellbreak under Raven Crag. Joining the obvious path up the hill on scree zigzagging eventually to reach the ridge and thence the top. Striding along the wide and marshy top to reach the further summit with cloudy views over Buttermere. Descending eventually to a fence (an earlier right turn would have been better) and turning right to meet the path that circuits Mellbreak. Following this, very marshy in places, to descend into Mosedale and then the Kirkstile Inn. After a pint, walking the 1km back to the car.

Conditions: much cooler than the previous day with cloud and less clear air.

Pub: The Kirkstile Inn for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold. (A first sighting of American Invasion but sadly just as it was going off.)

Stroll round Buttermere

A short sunny stroll with Mark and Georgia.

Route: leaving the car at the National Trust car park (spaces at 11am) and walking along the road past the pubs to pick up a track through Wilkinsyke Farm then turning right onto the lakeside path, through the tunnel eventually rejoining the road for 100m. At Gatesgarth Farm turning right on a path across the head of the lake to pick up the path back on the south side.

Conditions: surprisingly warm for September with deep blue skies and sun.

Pub: The Bridge Hotel, Buttermere, for Tractor Shed Mowdy and Hesket Newmarket Haystacks.

Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale and Silverdale circuit

A 65km ride on a reasonably pleasant September Sunday.

Route: leaving Kendal on the B6254 climbing past Old Hutton, under the M6 and eventually to the summit of the ridge of hills between Kendal and the Lune Valley. Then descending at speed through Old Town to reach Kirkby Lonsdale for a beer in the sun on the pavement outside the Royal Hotel. Staying on the B6254 through Whittington but turning right afterwards onto a c-road past Docker Park, and Borwick in the valley of the River Keer. Briefly joining the A6 (turning accidentally right not left) and so climbing Snape Lane to Yealand Conyers and following this road north and west past Silverdale Station to the Wooodlands Hotel, Silverdale for a second beer (£2.55!) and roll (£1.20!). Then on to Arnside, Storth and the Cumbria Coastal Way to Heversham and diverting from normal practice by taking a tiny road next to the railway line to descend to Sedgwick and home via Natland.

Conditions: sun and cloud all day. An early breeze never impeding progress.

Pubs: Royal Hotel, Kirkby Lonsdale for Bowland Brewery Hen Harrier and Lancaster Brewery Straw. The Woodlands Hotel, Silverdale for Animal Brewing Co Pukeko and Connoisseur Ales Lantern House.

Revisiting Reivers cycle day trip

A 46km loop via Cockermouth with increasing views over Bassenthwaite.

Route: from Lorton to Cockermouth and then along Sustrans route 10 to the north of Watch Hill along the Derwent Valley via Bewaldeth to take the road under Binsey gaining altitude. Then a long speedy descent to try the Castle Inn at Kilnhill (beer needing changing and so) then on to The Pheasant under Sale Fell. After a pint and homemade crisps retracing the route to visit the Lakeland Distillery (to have a quick tasting and then buy a bottle of gin) and then steeply up and then along the road south of Watch Hill, descending to Cockermouth and thence home.

Conditions: gradually improving with sun at the pub stop and on the way into Cockermouth (following the next day's Tour of Britain route).

Pub: the Phesant Inn, Bassenthwaite for Black Sheep Bitter and Coniston Bluebird.

Rannerdale Knotts tootle

A short pre-prandial walk with Mark and a very pregnant Verity.

Route: from the National Trust car park heading south for 50m to take a grassy track by a wall until a convincing grassy track headed uphill towards the saddle at the south end of Rannerdale Knotts. Along the ridge to the summit and then carefully down the wet rock staircase turning left and south to meet the shore of Crummock Water. Along obvious paths through woodland, by the lake and by a campsite to reach the Bridge Hotel. After a pint, back to the start.

Conditions: low cloud and rain.

Pub: the Bridge Hotel, Buttermere for Tractor Shed Mowdy, Tirril Bridge Inn Blonde and Strands Dark Night.

Cross Fell

A 17km walk on a lovely August Bank Holiday Monday.

Route: leaving the car by the recycling point in Blencarn and exiting the village to the southeast to take a path across a narrow strip of access land, the path boggy and submerged in parts. Climbing on a clear path through bracken (past attractive Highland Coos) to reach the summit of Grumply Hill and along the ridge to rejoin the valley path steeply crossing Wildboar Scar and then easing to continue up the plateau towards the Pennine Way, the ground becoming very marshy for a mile or so. Climbing northwards on the Pennine Way, the promised paved path sadly giving way again to marsh. Finally reaching a dry stony summit plateau with the recently rebuilt shelter. Descending northwards, again on marshy ground to reach a lateral path, corpse road but with only faint signs on the ground until it became a dry grassy track beneath mine workings (allowing us finally to run for a bit) and hence down to Kirkland. Then taking rather a complicated path round the tarn and back to the start.

Conditions: very sunny, warm and mainly still (but icy wind on the top).

Pub: the White Stag, Dufton for Westgate Brewery Atlantic Hop.

Lyth Valley cycle loop

A short 25km loop into the Lyth Valley from Kendal.

Route: from home into town and up over Scout Scar on the Underbarrow Road to the Punch Bowl at Underbarrow for a pint. Then by the direct toute to Brigsteer and Levens for lunch. Afterwards, over the Sizergh Fell road home via Natland.

Conditions: sunny and warm verging on hot.

Pubs: the Punch Bowl at Underbarrow for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold. The Hare and Hounds, Levens for Barngates Brathay Gold and Cumbrian Legendary Ales Langdale.

Allonby cycle loop

A 50km lollipop shaped loop to Allonby and Gilcrux from Lorton

Route: starting from the cottage and heading directly to Cockermothon the B5292, then out on the A594 to take the first right to Tallentire past Bullgill and Crosby Villa doglegging across the A596 to reach the Solway with views across to Criffle and then north to the Ship Inn, Allonby. After a pint, heading north east to Westnewton, Aspatria, Arkely and hence to the Barn Bistro at Gilcrux for another pint. Then home via Tallentire and Cockermouth with perhaps the best views of the day being back into Lorton Vale.

Conditions: some early sun giving way to cloud.

Pubs: the Ship Inn, Allony for Yates Brewery Solway 4 Hop and the Barn Bistro, Gilcrux for Cumbrian Legenedary Ales Esthwaite Bitter and Eden Brewery Eden Gold.

Buttermere and back by bike

A 25km there and back route to Buttermere on a quiet Monday morning.

Route: from the Lorton cottage along the Hopebeck Road to join the main Butteremere road and along this with fine views over Crummock Water to Buttermere. After a pint in the sun returning but at Hopebeck climbing to the upper gated road to High Swinside Farm before descending to Boonbeck and hence home.

Conditions: a beautiful sunny day.

Pub: the Bridge Hotel, Buttermere for Tirril The Bridge, Hesket Newmarket Haystacks and Tractor Shed Mowdy.

Skiddaw via Ullock Pike

A substantial circuit.

Route: leaving the car by the village Green in Bassenthwaite Village and heading across fields via Burthwaite, Hole House and Barkbeck to reach the start of the ridge but contouring to the right to find a path uphill. Then on a clear track initially below the ridge but then climbing onto it to gain Ullock Pike, Carl Side and then on a steep scree path to the summit of Skiddaw. In order to avoid the knee-breaking descent at Bakestall and then Birkett Edge, instead heading down Blake Hill to Hare Crag in very boggy conditions but eventually reaching the Cumbria Way and along this and across fields back to the start.

Conditions: initial low cloud obscuring the summits rising through the afternoon (though still on the top when we reached it) and some sun, the hills a blaze of heathery purple.

Pub: the Sun, Bassenthwaite for Banks Bassenthwaite Beauty and Ringwood Razor Back.

Quick trip to the Kirkstile Inn

After arriving at the cottage making dubious Welsh rarebit and having an afternoon snooze, a quick cycle ride to the Kirkstile Inn to meet Marion and Terry.

Route: from the cottage turning left at the mid-Lorton crossroads to take the Hopebeck Road, rejoining the main road for the Scale Hill climb and hence to the pub. Returning via Thackthwaite.

Conditions: cloudy but dry. Warm enough - just - to sit outside the pub for a couple of pints.

Pub: the Kirkstile Inn for Cumbrian Legendary Ales American Pale Ale and Loweswater Gold.

An attempt on Knock Murton

Sadly rather a dismal birthday walk for Lois with Mike and Janet Hornby and their friend John.

Route: leaving the car in the empty Felldyke car park and walking towards the reservoir Cogra Moss but turning right before a gate to take a faint path outside the plantation round the hill. After crossing a number of precarious stiles, no very accessible route up the ridge appeared and in the face of increasingly heavy rain, withdrawing. Instead heading along the track to Cogra Moss and to the end where, attacked by midges, giving up (the return path round the Moss being closed because of fallen trees).

Conditions: initially low cloud and drizzly rain becoming heavier. No visibility.

Pub: the Kirkstile Inn for Cumbrian Legendary Ales American Pale Ale and Loweswater Gold and lunch.

14km circuit of Crummock Water

A surprisingly tough though flat run round the lake.

Route: leaving the car at the car park and running west, anti-clockwise on the lake shore path, initially mud and gravel but becoming intermittently stoney and marshy heading further south, with a particularly marshy section around 4-5km. Then taking the straight farm track towards the Buttermere pubs and turning left to run beside a stream back towards the lake. Crossing a footbridge and walking through woods before reaching a grassy lakeshore. Crossing the road and ascending underneath Rannerdale Knotts, descending to the car park. Then heading away from the lake round the hill to cross a stream higher up on a foot bridge and run down hill on a wide grassy track. Crossing the wood to reach the lakeshore path to the boathouse and thence back to the car park. Afterwards, swimming in the lake.

Conditions: cloudy with hints of sun and warm.

Pub: The Wheatsheaf, Lorton for Ringwood True Glory

Braithwaite to Buttermere via Grisedale Pike

A linear walk planned at the last minute and using the Honister Rambler bus service at both ends.

Route: having been dropped in Braithwaite by the 12:44 (in Lorton) Honister Rambler bus at Braithwaite and having had a pint outside the Coledale Inn, heading now in rather a rush up the ridge to Grisedale Pike and into cloud at Coledale Hause. With little visibility, following the clear path up to the col between Grasmoor and Crag Hill and straight on (ignoring Wandope) to cross Whiteless Edge to Whiteless Pike and down at a jog to catch a busy 16:24 bus back to Lorton.

Conditions: some initial sun giving way to low cloud on Coledale Hause and higher with some hints of rain.

Pub: before the walk, the Coledale Inn, Braithwaite for Corby Blonde. Later the Castle Bar, Cockermouth for Ilkley Mary Jane and Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold.

Round trip by bike to the Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite

A quick dash after Lois' return from a pre-new-job business meeting.

Route: from the cottage, heading north on the B5292 before turning right on a c-road past Arnaside Farm to join Hundith Hill Road and along this east past Wythop Mill with views of the head of Bassenthwaite Lake to descend to the pub. After a pint in the garden, crossing the A66 to take the c-road parallel to it through Embleton then heading south west to rejoin Hundith Hill Road. After a quick half in the Hundith Hill Hotel, back with fine views south to the Buttermere hills.

Conditions: cloudy with some sun and warm.

Pub: the Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite for Coniston Brewery, Bluebird. The Hundith Hill Hotel for a half of Jennings Bitter.

Ladyside Pike

A late afternoon 11km walk having been released from waiting for the last made.com order for the Lorton cottage.

Route: from the Lorton cottage up the Boonbeck road to turn right on the fell road towards High Swinside Farm. Just at the start of the right to roam land, climbing a gate to walk uphill parallel to a wall to the corner of the field. Here crossing an implicit stile in the wall and continuing beside it to reach the ridge and up this with a fence and collapsed wall to the right to gain altitude eventually reaching Ladyside Pike. Low cloud obscuring the onward route, deciding to change plans (from going on to Hopegill Head, Whiteside and Dodd) and descending instead on a faint path near Hope Gill into the valley (the path itself being narrow and partly flood damaged causing TT some vertigo issues). Then returning to Lorton via the footpath from High Swinside Farm to Scales.

Conditions: after a morning of prolonged thunderstorms, initially hot but giving way to cloud, wind and a threat of rain.

Pub? no, in order to keep the cats company, but bottled beer at the cottage.

Cycle trip from Lorton to Ennerdale Bridge and back

A 45km circuit on a day of blistering heat.

Route: from the cottage crossing Lorton Low Bridge and heading north, west and then south round Fellbarrow but turning right to Kirkby Brow to avoid an ascent to Mosser. Through Pardshaw and Mockerkin, briefly joining the A5086 before exiting for Lamplugh. Thence joining the route of the Sustrans 71 but continuing further south to descend steeply to Croasdale Bridge. Then flatter to Ennerdale Bridge for a pint. Afterwards, heading north, climbing to Kirkland the descending for a brief spell on the A5086 before turning right to Lamplugh. Then joining the route of the Sustrans 71 to climb and then descend to the Kirkstile Inn at Loweswater. After a further pint, on via the minor Thackthwaite route back to Lorton.

Conditions: the hottest day of the year so far.

Pubs: the Fox and Hounds, Ennerdale Bridge for Ennerdale Pale. The Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater for Cumbrian Legendary Ales American Pale Ale and Esthwaite Bitter.