As is often the case Brampton was favoured by better weather than adjoining areas so nine of us, ably lead by Paul, were able to set off on the Mark 3 walk in relatively settled conditions compared with the wet misery of Keswick and the Lakes. We headed South initially past Talkin Tarn and the delightful village of Talkin before joining the River Gelt, which was followed into wilder Pennine country. Sadly our luck did not hold all day as several heavy showers interspersed with sunny intervals necessitated frequent donning and doffing of waterproofs.
After a lengthy circumnavigation of Cumrew Fell lunch was taken at the impressive cairn of Cardunneth Pike eventually reached by a session of heather bashing over ‘trackless wilderness’ reminiscent of the previous month’s walk at Langholm!A further dose of the above continued after lunch on the descent into Castle Carrock.
The going then became easier as we rejoined the Gelt near Greenwell. We soon passed beneath the impressive Gelt railway bridge and followed the river through attractive woodlands finally arriving back in Brampton at 5pm.
Mary excelled herself once again with cream teas, home made jams, cakes etc and the fatigue of the 20+ miles and more than 8 hours walking was soon forgotten.