Countrystride #52: Cumbria Way with Paddy Dillon

 ...in which we track the undulating west shore of Coniston Water from Sunny Bank to Coniston Hall with backpacker, long-distance walker and prolific outdoors author Paddy Dillon. As we wander, through woods and over meadows, we discuss the origins and delights of the Cumbria Way – the Lakes' only dedicated long-distance footpath; we challenge Paddy to sum-up each of the UK's National Trails in just one word; we consider why patience may be the best approach to tackling problem campers; and we discuss two great Lakeland eccentrics: W. A. Poucher and George Constantinescu.

• Paddy's guide to the Cumbria Way, published by Rucksack Readers, can be bought from www.rucsacs.com/book/cumbria-way/
• You can find Paddy's extensive list of Cicerone-published titles at https://www.cicerone.co.uk/authors/paddy-dillon
• The Backpackers Club can be found at http://www.backpackersclub.co.uk