Meet Report: 8-10 September 2020.

Members began arriving at the Low Greenside Farm campsite from late morning on Tuesday. Those who arrived early enough walked in small parties or alone up Smardale past the 15^th century packhorse bridge and into the nature reserve. At least one, lacking spectacles and unable to read the closure notices, ambled across the 19^th century viaduct, blissfully unaware of the risks posed by a 20ft wide railway trackbed with substantial stone parapets.

Helen and Michael, disappointed on leaving Scotch Corner and heading west to lose the sunshine and find lowering clouds, nevertheless set off from The King’s Head, walked up Smardale, over the bridge and then uphill. Soon into wetting cloud they continued to Nettle Hill trig and on west to return via the Potts Valley and a moorland road leading toward Brownber. At Brownber’s Tower House, a local informed them that Elizabeth Gaunt who once lived there was the last woman to be burnt at the stake in 1685. A couple of fields nearer to the campsite they asked another local exactly where was St Helen’s Well but despite being stood in front of it he had never heard of it. Not surprisingly really as it is now overgrown and inaccessible. Standing nearby are some ruins of a chapel built by Lincolnshire monks who settled at Newbiggin-on-Lune.  Near Tower House is the farm track to Bents camping barn where the Club had a meet in 1985.

By 6 o’clock all but one had arrived and the rest made their way to the King’s Head for the evening meal, Rory arriving not long after. Social distancing rules were not much in evidence, nor was service, which although delivered pleasantly was sadly inefficient. One course stretched over nearly three hours so the decision was taken to cancel the following night’s reservation and to book in to the Black Swan instead.

After a wild and wet night, Wednesday dawned bright and sunny.

Everyone opted for the Howgills. Richard J walked up Green Bell and Randygill Head from Ravenstonedale and returned by a slightly different route. Rory walked to the Calf via Swarth, Green Bell and Kensgriff, returning via Randygill Head and Dale Tongue, about 16 miles.

Tim J walked over Green Bell, Randygill Head, Kensgriff, Yarlside and Calf via Cautley Spout.

On the descent to Bowderdale he met the last party of five, the Smiths, Mick, John and Richard T, who were basically doing the same route in reverse. They had managed to cross Bowderdale Beck at the Northern end of the valley and thus cut a substantial corner; on the way down Tim couldn’t find a suitable crossing place and was forced to detour a mile or two. The main party’s walk was also about 16 miles, Tim’s a couple longer.

All were back in time to enjoy the first class and clean shower facilities at the campsite before setting off for the Black Swan, Helen spotting a red squirrel on the way. The Black Swan, if rather more expensive, was much better organised and we all enjoyed an excellent meal in relaxed and comfortable surroundings.

Thursday was another sunny morning. After making use of the quirky wheelbarrow system for ferrying gear around the campsite some set off for home. Richard J had a short walk up Smardale.

Michael and Helen drove to Street near the Fat Lamb pub and used the Pennine Bridleway up to circuit the Wild Boar Fell plateau before descending to Sand Tarn, squelching along by Clouds Gill and traversing the Fell and Stennerskeugh Clouds to return. They spotted three more red squirrels above Street. 

Mick, Richard T and Tim drove a few miles to Sunbiggin Tarn and had a pleasant 9 mile walk around Great Asby Scar nature reserve, with its spectacular limestone clints and rare heathers, most unusual in such a lime rich situation.

Another very enjoyable camping meet snatched towards the end of  the strangest and most frustrating year any of us can remember.

Tim Josephy

Attending: Rory Newman, Mick Borroff, Helen Smith, Michael Smith, Richard Josephy, Richard Taylor, John Sutcliffe, Tim Josephy.