Stout-hearted

Slow start, porridge only, no toast.

We set off to walk to the Britannia Inn at Elterwater, via the old 'coffin track', a deep path full of big stones, Nic using his reliable walking poles.

We took our elderly sandwiches and a piece of fruit. We stopped off at our usual haunt, a farm which sells pieces of delicious cake, paid for via an honesty box, surrounded by a chorus of plaintive chickens and geese.

We picked our way gingerly through the tricky terrain of the coffin track. At last we arrived at the pub and purchased Murphys stout on tap. 

We sat outside and ate our ham and cheese sandwiches under a large tree.  Popped back into the pub for a warmer seat and stole some chips from an abandoned plate.

The route back was different, via the woods, still steep but less difficult underfoot. Nic did well, given the simmering hip problem. 

We spotted some small birds on the final leg up to Ann's house. They were brownish and very speckled. The Merlin app told us they were Meadow Pipits. It didn't rain at all, despite the weather forecast.

Back at the High Bield, we had tea and cake with Ann, read some, zizzed and then Nic cooked our traditional shared salmon dinner. We polished off the birthday fizz and replenished the coal fire. Last knockings of a perfect Lakes day.