Walk Leader: Ann Holden

Number of walkers: 10

Distance: 16.5 miles

Weather: Sunshine

9 walkers met on a dull morning by Grange over Sands railway station to await the X6 bus to take us to Ulverston. Mixed attire; Caroline and Manny in full cover (with waterproofs) after de-icing their car before setting off, the rest in a mixture of shorts and layers. Numbers swelled to 10 at the Laurel & Hardy statue, Ulverston, where we were joined by Helen from Barrow (in tshirt)!

After the customary group photo, we set off and upward to visit the Barrow Monument (aka the Hoad) towering over Ulverston; splendid 360^o views from here of Morecambe Bay and distant fells. By now the sky was blue and the sun was out, so many layers were dispatched into rucsacs. From here we made our way to Greenodd via a mixture of fields and quiet lanes (apart from the silent-but-speedy cyclist who whizzed through our ranks on the descent into Penny Bridge.

In Greenodd we located Bakehouse Born&Bred, featuring a tempting display of cakes, baked goods, brews and cooked breakfasts; purchases duly made and eaten on the picnic benches outside the just-opening Chippy. Caroline and Manny returned from the Sipping Fix (Lakeland Spirits) shop with a stash of freebie gin samples – for later we were assured! No time to visit the ice-cream parlour on this visit, always we were too full after the Bakehouse offerings.

Our route now took us under the A590 by the River Crake as it joined the Leven estuary and over the estuary footbridge. The no-longer-boggy fields came and went and we were soon at Low Wood, where a short section of the busy road to Holker Hall led us to a climb through the Woods up Bigland Heights and our peaceful lunch-stop by Bigland Tarn. Helen treated us to home-made ginger cookies; delicious thank you!

Another hour and a half of steady walking along wooded trails, fields and quiet lanes brought us to Cartmel Racecourse, where a cricket match was in full flow. Here, half of the group couldn’t resist an ice-cream to temper the hot sunshine while the rest sought out some shade! Both activities great preparation for the uphill climb onto Hampsfell and the Hospice, where we spent some time climbing to the top to admire the view and increasing our calorie intake.

All downhill from here across limestone-strewn hillside, stiles and the track by the side of Eggerslack Woods into the centre of Grange and onward to the railway station.

2500ft climbed, 16.5 miles walked, much food & drink consumed along the way and a steady flow of chatting with friends old and new. A grand day out!

Photos can be seen 'here'