Spring arrived at last in Cumbria and greeted the annual perambulation of one of the Three Rings Of Shap.  This year it was Ring 3 and there was an excellent turnout of 19 (10 ladies and 9 gentlemen) to romp round the 20 mile circuit on Sunday 13 March.  The route follows Wainwright’s Coast-to-Coast route out of Shap for several miles, crossing the M6 then on to Oddendale, Seal Howe, Hazel Moor and close to Robin Hood’s Grave (rumours that he was an early casualty of the Three Rings Of Shap are completely unfounded!). 

There was a welcome morning stop on the rocky terrain close to the B6260 as the group left the Coast-to-Coast and headed to Beacon Hill to inspect the monument erected by John Bland, born in Reagill, to commemorate the jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887.  Time now to explore the National Nature Reserve of Great Asby Scar in classic limestone country.  On reaching the outskirts of Great Asby the route starts to wind back to Shap on the Westmorland Way.  Lunch was taken next to the stream just past Gaythorne Hall. 

By now the weather was almost tropical!  Fortified by food and banter the group glided up Bank Moor and drifted down to Crosby Ravensworth.  The final leg involved a return to Oddendale via Low and High Dalebanks, recrossing the M6 and a saunter into Shap.  A very enjoyable walk on a magnificent spring day.