Four hikers left on the 11.45 bus to Tunstall, a hot day, although heavy rain was forecast for later in the day. The briefest of walks to the Lunesdale Arms, a friendly little pub, Black Sheep and Lancaster Blonde were available. Walking up the lane, past the church, then across a field of maize, further fields and gates to the Highwayman at Nether Burrow, an old building much restored, seemed to be full of young staff looking for customers, food dominates, Thwaites range of beers available (Bomber, Original & Wainwright), we picked up a copy of the ‘Highwayman Herald’, published for the Ribble Valley Inns. Continuing our walk, along the banks of Leck Beck, through Parkside Farm and Overtown hamlet, stop for midday picnic, over the river and through more fields and stiles, and caravan park to the Whoop Hall, a 1618 building, quite interesting, more upmarket with a Country Club with swimming pool, etc. Black Sheep & Jennings Cumberland Ale were on tap in the bar. Hiking on through more fields and ancient paths, eventually joining the old road over Devil’s Bridge. I thought the party might want to visit all the pubs in Kirkby Lonsdale, but we settled for the three best, starting at the Royal, where John thought the Strands Gold Wing was almost top grade, nobody drank the Lancaster Blonde. Naturally we went to the Orange Tree, Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery Tap, their Jubilee, Monumental and Singletrack were sampled, Keswick Thirst Quencher and Marstons Celebration Pale Ale were the guest beers. We finished at the Sun, Hawkshead Bitter, Kirkby Lonsdale Ruskin and Wainwright were on tap. We caught the 18.15 bus back to Lancaster, just as the heavens opened, with a short storm.