End - Broughton In Furness
Distance - 13.7 Miles
Key Features - Dunnerdale Forest and Fells
Geocaches - 1
Pubs - 5 (21 In Total)
Previous Legs - Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4
Day 5 of the Inn Way to the Lake District and for the first time, the wet weather gear needs to be unpacked. The best breakfast of the week (Boot Inn) is shared in a conservatory, where the rain hammers down on the roof and the wind rattles through the windows.
Fortunately, its a easy day's walking and I have the added incentive of company. Gavin joins me tonight after a rail journey almost as epic as my 5 days walking.
Out into the elements and the River Esk is picked up at a remote church, St Katherines.
Remote St Katherines |
Morning Grimness on the Inn Way |
Dunnerdale Forest |
Winner of both the cheapest pint (£3) and possibly the most remote pub on the Inn Way, although the Wasdale Head may contest that claim. The sun has come out, so I get a convoluted process of de-goretexing in their tiny front porch.
All that can come off at the Newfield Inn |
Four Pinter? |
Sea in the Distance |
Blacksmiths Arms, Broughton Mills.... |
.... Since 1748 |
Mr Farmer, recognising my Midlands accent asks where I am from in distinct Brummie tones. Transpires he is from Hall Green, Birmingham. Despite me working out the price of a cow (£1200, on average) from him, I never quite get to understand how he came to be farming in the Lakes.
A 2nd Farmer comes in and they are in for a session. I think how easy this farming must be if you can spend the afternoon in a pub, before realising it is Saturday.
Mrs Farmer leaves but not without offering me a lift into Broughton In Furness. I was tempted, but I would have only been cheating myself. Besides, what would Gavin have said if he saw me approaching in a Land Rover.
It's less than a couple of miles into Broughton itself, all low level, with the only hazard a field of frisky grand a pop Frisians.
The High Cross Inn on the entrance to Broughton gains notoriety as the first and only dead pub on the Inn Way. Its all closed up and inquires show its reopening as a cafe.
Inn Way to the Lake District - Now 43 Pubs and a soon to open Cafe |
Pub 19 - The Black Cock Inn, Broughton In Furness, Moorhouses Pendle Witches Brew
Of course, on pre-walk planning, there was much hilarity at the name of tonights lodgings. Gavin convinced me he was going to ask the first person he saw at Foxfields Station, "How far is the Black Cock Inn?"
The Black Cock Inn |
Pub 20 - The Old Kings Head, Broughton In Furness, Keswick Gold
We went for the tick, spotting it for what it was.... a rather posh gastro pub. There was a small drinking area to one side of the pub, so we didn't appear too incongruous. We stayed for as long as the Keswick Gold lasted.
Old Kings Head Gastro Pub |
The Manor Arms - Drinkers Pub for Drinkers |
Classic Pub Furntiture and Camra awards galore |
We head back to the Black Cock Inn to feel the full force of the Sad Eyed Puffins. The lack of stage meant we were rather close to the band and after five pubs, I'd have been tempted to grab the maracas and join in, Bez Style.
We decide to retire to our room and listen through the floorboards.
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