Sedbergh. Tues. 9 June 15


Sedbergh. Tuesday 9th. June 2015.

Thirteen walkers (14 including Maisie the dog) set out from Sedbergh, past the Castlehaw Tower motte and bailey (the exact date of which is unknown) and then contoured the slopes of Winder round to its west side, taking the pleasant grassy track to the top. In sunshine, and with a cool breeze, it was possible to pick out all the features indicated on the viewfinder at the summit - quite a rare occurance! From Winder we followed the main path to the top of Arant Haw where we had a coffee stop, then on (more steeply and getting warmer) to the summit of Calders, where we left the main track and had an easy stroll to the summit of Great Dummacks (or as near to the summit as we thought we could be, without recourse to surveying equipment). Then it was along a fantastic path skirting the top of Cautley Crag and down to the top of Cautley Spout, where we crossed the beck before following Swere Gill up its beautiful and little-trodden valley. Chris's insider knowledge of the Howgills was giving us a real treat, although the lone walker who had stopped for a lunch break in what he thought would be a peaceful spot in this valley might not have agreed as we all wandered past him! Finding our own peaceful lunch spot, a little higher up the valley and furnished with bouldery seats, he had some revenge as he then walked through it. Lunch finished, we continued up the valley and back to the main path leading to the top of the Calf. A short stop to take in the view was followed by retracing our steps a little way towards Bram Rigg Top, then taking the path down the spur of Bram Rigg to a ford over Bram Rigg Beck in the valley bottom. The climb up the other side began on an easy track, which we left (all too soon) for the short but steep ascent to Swang Head. After that it was down to the Dalesway, a tea stop in sunshine by the Lune Viaduct, then more of the Dalesway and a short road section brought us to Brigflatts, probably the most famous of all Quaker Meeting Houses, built in 1652. We had a look inside and a short stop in the beautiful garden. Field and woodland paths led us to the confluence of the Rivers Dee and Rawthey (after which they join forces as the Lune) then through some of Sedbergh School's playing fields and on to the east bank of the Rawthey to New Bridge, where it was back to the west side and just a short stroll back to the cars. It was a wonderful day out, with a really good route well planned and led by Chris and enhanced by excellent weather

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