The first mystery was easily solved as stand in leader, Derek, was unmasked. He proved an able deputy for Paul who is currently swelling Cumbria’s overloaded sick list. Happily Frank was out and about again after several months’ absence bringing the start line total to a barely adequate five. The low attendance mystery was perhaps partially explained by the snowy conditions and low temperatures as we started in a -7º ‘heat wave’.

Although the mercury never rose above freezing we were treated to a rare and perfect windless winter’s day with continuous sunshine, excellent views and enjoyable walking mostly on crisp and unspoilt snow. The final mystery is how Paul can continue to serve up new and interesting routes in and out of Brampton. Do it he did and though snippets were familiar the final package was another tour de force.

After journeying south to cross the Gelt the attractive village of Hayton was reached as the sun started to perform its magic on the landscape. A succession of wintry fields and tracks lead us eventually in and out of Castle Carrock to ‘1½’ handily situated benches at Jockey Shield (evoking fond memories of the Border Reiver walk where this was a check point). Lunch in the sun prevented too much cooling but we were pleased to leave before long and descended to cross the Gelt again before turning for home via Talkin and Farlam.

On reaching the Talkin Tarn Country Park we admired the frozen tarn and its environs before heading for Brampton station, situated inconveniently some distance outside the town. Easy walking along the ‘Dandy Line’(formerly a horse-drawn railway link) soon brought us back to the start after a very pleasant 15-mile and 6-hour excursion.

Irthing Park is always synonymous with great hospitality and this was no exception with Paul and Mary providing delicious home-made soup and bread followed by mince pies before we headed cautiously home through the frozen landscape.