The start of my walk was made considerably easier by getting a lift from Steve and Adrian as they drove to work. I was dropped off at junction 36 off the M6 near Crooklands. It was nice to be underway before 8am but the heavy traffic on the short stretch of the A65 I had to walk on made it unpleasant walking. I turned on to the A6070 south but thing on that road were worse as there was no footpath or verge. Just over Farleton Bridge I turned off to the left into a very minor road which was more grass and mud than tarmac. For a short way it ran parallel to the Lancaster canal, which was nice to see. I turned left at Kiln Hall then a bit further on right into Puddlemire Lane. It was very narrow but had a reasonable surface. There was a gate at the point where road enters open land and I turned right up a track that is shown on the map. Part way up it I turned left up another track but it turned out to be the wrong one as I'd turned too soon. I finished up in a dead end mess of impenetrable gorse so I had to turn back.

The canal at Farleton.

Crossing Newbiggin Crags.

I went a bit further along the lane and tried again before Town End Farm. I followed a wall and fence line steeply up and after a left turn at the top found a gate which lead to more open ground. It was tied shut with rope and covered in barbed wire. It was difficult climbing over but once on the other side I joined a nice path which took me to the wall that heads over the limestone summit. I'd just got on the top when I noticed my map was missing from my pocket. It had probably dropped out while I negotiated the barbed wire so I left my pack and retraced my steps back to the gate. I was right, but I had to climb the gate again to retrieve my map. It didn't take long to return to my pack and start walking again. It was still cold but a clear sunny sky made for pleasant walking. Ahead I could see a land rover parked near the wall. When I got there it was a man and woman who were dry stone wallers and repairing a gap in the wall. I stopped for a brief chat and it turned out they were on the fells above Ennerdale south shortly after I'd seen the helicopter bringing in fencing materials earlier in the year.

The helicopter lifted a porta-cabin and supplies for them so they could stay up there fore quite a while and rebuild the gaps in the stone walls. I continued and reached the road where I sat on the stile for a well earned rest. Further up the road I turned right to follow a path. The swing gate was too tight for anyone with a rucksack to get through, so I had to climb over it. The path was initially in the open but then followed a muddy track through trees and gorse. Not the best kind of walking in full pack. I emerged to sunny limestone pavements and descended steeply down to Hutton Roof where there were quit a few houses. I still had a long way to go so followed Gallowber Lane all the way to the A65 road. I turned right by the garage then left down into Kirkby Lonsdale. I passed through the town and down to Devils Bridge over the River Lune. The cafe cabin was open so I had a refreshing cup of tea out of a proper mug and not a plastic cup. It made all the difference. Walking along the A683 wasn't nice as once again there was no path or verge. Even the narrow minor lane through Casterton wasn't without its problems as I had to squeeze up by the hedge to let a large car through. I continued on until I was climbing steeply up the fell road towards Bull Pot Farm. I'd planned to camp near the high road and fortunately found a stream passing under the road at the right place. I went through a gate into the field on the right and climbed to a small hill nearby. It made a very nice grassy pitch with excellent views. I arrived at 14:30 after a long walk of 21.5km

Devils bridge Kirkby Lonsdale.