At last, I have managed to reach the summit of Mount Runton on my mobility scooter. To my surprise it only took half an hour - but the journey was not without incident!

I started the climb by followed the lane which passes Beeston Hall Farm. I had intended to then follow the track which reaches the top of the ridge at the entrance to Heath House but, sadly, I have a memory which can still remember when Post Office Vans used this track. 

It proves that my memory is not always an advantage. Someone has since placed a mobility scooter proof barrier at the bottom of the hill. (maybe the Post is delivered by helicopter nowadays). Undeterred, I drove further along Calves Well Lane and then headed out across the grass campsite in an attempt to outflank the said obstacle and then re-join the track further up. It worked, but we then ground to a halt higher up the track when Hetty's wheels got stuck in mud and wet leaves. Still undeterred, I jumped off and manoeuvred her past until we reached firmer ground. 

At the top, to my dismay, the barrier which was earlier firmly rooted at the bottom of the track, suddenly re-appeared. It was blocking our route again! This time, by careful placement of all four wheels and the chassis I managed to squeeze Hetty through a small gap.We were now on our final approach to the Summit which is known locally as Roman Camp. The remaining part of the journey was, thankfully, uneventful.

On our return, in order to avoid the barriers, I intended to scoot down one of the many valleys off the hill in order to re-join Calves Well Lane at the bottom. 

EASY in theory, HARD in practice! Hetty does not possess an adequate braking system of any kind so I was forced to climb off and turn her round. Then, together we slid down a steep muddy track to the Lane. 

I chose not to head back the way we had come (towards Beeston Hall Farm)and this time we continued along Calves Well Lane in order to join the main road at Britons Lane from where I knew that we could easily wheelie home.

My luck dramatically changed as we neared Britons Lane. A track to our left had inviting looking hoof prints printed into it (i.e. no barriers - I hoped!). I had to climb off again to climb up a steep muddy track with Hetty's engine struggling to keep up but we reached the top of the ridge quickly this time. I explored this virgin high ground and quickly discovered that I could get to the 'new' plantation easily as well as the rest of the ridge. 

I now have confidence that we can easily reach the Roman Camp from here - without the hassle of barriers. 

Delighted, we descended again. It was rapid this time, too rapid! By now I was exhausted and too lazy to turn Hetty round and go down backwards. I was home before a squirrel could gather its nuts - if a little stirred. I had never travelled down a busy main road at 30 mph on a mobility scooter with no brakes before!

To sum up - I think that I have found a quick and easy route to get to Roman Camp from my house. 

NOW - all I need to know is WHY I wanted to get there in the first place!