Lake District

We eventually find ourselves in Cockermouth enjoying a tour of Jennings brewery, followed by a good few samples in the tap room.  There is a regular bus back to Keswick, but for some odd reason we decide to stop off half way fro a climb up the rather dull slopes of Binsey.  Few people bother with this peak, but if its clear you get a marvellous view of Skiddaw from the North (and some neighbouring peaks (not shown here) too)..

From High Street it would be nice to walk out to Shap, but without a station all we could do is cross 20 miles further East to the vale of Eden (which is what Wainwright wrote about in his coast to coast walk).  It is a stuuning walk with stupendous views of the Howgills, but sadly that is outside the remit of our Lakes excursion.  So instead the walkout is South to the Windermere line and a train out to Kendal.  But don't think its the easy option - crossing the road at the top of the Kirkstone Pass, we come to a wall of rock.  We climb up following a tiny path (or is it just a sheep track), across scree fans that end in vertical drops, until we come to a 'chimney' - a short vertical gully with easily climbed ledges.  We knock a loose stone off the first shelf and watch as it bounces down the scree, gaining speed with each bounce, before it disappears over the edge into the abyss.  Its a short easy scramble, what could possibly go wrong?

We emerge at the top onto a grassy plateau, and with wobbly legs stroll down the gentle slope to safety.