Those revisiting Dalston on a damp and dull morning included regular guests Rob and Theresa plus new member Mike, transferring in from the Deep South. Group members swelled the party to nine as we left northwards along the east bank of the Caldew under Jim’s able and confident leadership.

Initially Carlisle-bound for the second month in a row, it soon became clear that the main hazard of the day would not be the forecast heavy rain but the mud and gloop underfoot in a succession of sodden flooded woods and fields. (‘It wasn’t like this last week’ quoth Jim).

Undeterred we soon passed through the city on the last few yards of the Cumbria Way. Continuing by the Castle brought us to the confluence of the Caldew and Eden Rivers where both the Hadrian’s Wall path and Cumbria Coastal Way were joined.

A rapid and pleasant section followed on better going until lunch was taken around a convenient bench-girt tree in Beaumont – the 12-mile halfway point. All too soon time was called and we moved on, shortly to leave the LDP’s and head South towards Great Orton and Thursby. This entailed alternate use of quiet country lanes and off-road paths consisting of earth and water in varying but major proportions!

With the end in sight a left turn saw us scurry across the railway then wade through the final few fields and enjoy the two final quiet road miles in the gathering dusk. A celebratory pint was then enjoyed at the Bridge Inn, the toast being to ‘Irish Miles’.