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Monday, 19 September 2016

The Dales High Way - The Return, August 2016 Day 8

Wednesday, 24th August 2016 - Sedbergh to Newbiggin
Distance:  10.9miles
Weather:   sunshine, warm breeze

Breakfast with Suzy is always good - freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade marmalade and jam and all served on good bone china and silver service.  Suzy recommended 'On the Roll' take away for our lunch time food and it was good: efficient, well-priced and a lovely lady who runs the business.  So lunch bought and within minutes we were back on the trail and starting the long, slow slog up to
The Calf which is the highest point on the Howgills.



It was warm and overcast and still as we followed the steep and rocky path past Settlebeck Gill.  We met two chaps on a day out from Newcastle who were walking a circuit up to the Calf and down Cautley Spout.  On we went  and reached Arant How where we met our Cambridgeshire friends from the previous afternoon.  We chatted and admired the view as we caught our breath and then we were off again.  It was quite a slog and seemed harder than last time (heavier packs and five years older).  Eventually we reached the trig point with a great sense of achievement.  The views were incredible with 360 degrees of stunning landscapes: The Lakeland Fells, Morecombe Bay and The Howgills.  Again we caught up with the Cambridgeshire boys and took photos and chatted.  They headed off for Cautley Spout whilst we found the faint path to take us to Hazelgill Knott and the heart of the Howgills. 



Until now we had seen lots of people including a lady from Kendal who had run up the fell.  Now as we left the main path, we had the fells to ourselves and we were enveloped by the sleeping elephants.  We found a spot for lunch but it was damp so we walked some more and found a dryer spot to sit and take in the splendour of our surroundings and imprint the memory of them.  West Fell was next and then it was a gentle, soggy descent to Bowderdale and a cooling paddle in the beck.  Then, joy of joys, we walked past the garden with the mini Howgills and we spoke to the owners again.  They were amazed we were so excited to see them.  A short walk and we arrived at Tranna Hill and our bed for the night.  It had been a day to remember.

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