Meet report 7-9th August 2026 at Holme Farm Campsite near Sedbergh. Six people gathered at the campsite, a couple of miles from Sedbergh on the bank of the River Rawthey. It is a pleasantly uncomplicated site with adequate facilities, set in beautiful countryside.

Steve, Wendy and Conrad had stopped off at Dufton on the way to complete a 15km round via High Cup Nick.

Bedtime was dictated by the setting sun but sleep was not to be had thanks to the loud partying of a group of camper vanners who kept it going till 2 am. Confronted next day with a request to to be more considerate next evening, they were fairly unrepentant and couldn’t really see what the problem was. There are a lot of entitled people about these days.

Saturday was warm and sunny. All walked together to Sedbergh where the group split up. Tim and border collie Flora walked up the Rawthey valley to Cautley Spout then steeply up to the Calf where they met Steve, Wendy, Conrad and Neil who were just beginning the descent to Sedbergh. They had threaded an intricate way to the west of the Howgills, ascending to the Calf via the hamlet of Howgill and White Fell. On the descent a large and colourful Emperor Moth caterpillar was sighted crossing the path. Judging by its rate of progress it wasn’t going to make closing time.

Anthea and collie (plus other varieties) Atta  left the main party not long after Sedbergh and ascended the Calf via the summit of Winder. They descended via a long zigzag to the foot of Cautley Spout where they encountered Imi Campion who was out for a day’s walk.

Anthea and Atta returned along the Rawthey valley, meeting up with the rest in the Black Bull beer garden to replace lost liquid.

The walk back to the campsite was enlivened by the crossing of a field containing a large black bull, his harem and a group of his offspring. Luckily it was too warm for any of them to bother with us or the dogs and we made it across safely, if more rapidly than dignity would require.

All three routes were around the 25km mark.

Saturday night was mercifully quieter but Sunday morning dawned grey with low cloud and a forecast of steady rain. The decision was unanimous to break camp, stop for coffee in Sedbergh and go our separate ways. Tim and Flora stopped at Abergwyngregyn on the way home and walked a circuit to Aber Falls in very hot weather.

Despite the Sunday rain and noisy neighbours all enjoyed the meet.

Attending:

Steve and Wendy Richards, Conrad Tetley, Anthea Hanson, Neil West, Tim Josephy