BB1537 : Alpaca Mac

Wednesday 4th November 2015

What did the llama say when he was preparing for a walk in the rain?

Alpaca mac !

Well, we did think it might rain, albeit lightly. Indeed we had been led to expect it but come the day mist seemed the more likely problem.  So we decided to stay low but I did pack a mac just in case.

It wasn’t needed and the mist was much less of an issue than we had anticipated.  Indeed, as we drove to Killington to meet John we could see at least the bottom 90% of the Howgills.  With James and me was a Howgill virgin, Terry, who was obviously expecting the worst as, for the first time that I can recall, he wasn't wearing shorts.  Also with us was a potential new recruit, Robin.

John had devised a route suited for mists and mellow fruitfulnesses, starting from his house.  This led us past Killington Hall and north across fields to Greenholme.  It soon became clear that a major challenge of the day was to cross the fields without falling in the very muddy, slippery, patty areas, particularly near the gates.  Clearly the cows haven’t been taken in yet!

It was near here that we met the Alpacas.  Lots of them.  And seemingly very friendly as well as cute.  None offering to carry our bags though- that is the job of the llamas.

After crossing Killington New Bridge we more or less followed the River Lune (and the Dales Way) northwards to Lincoln’s Inn Bridge, onward to pass under the magnificent and sadly disused railway viaduct and up to misleadingly named house, Height of Winder.  The Foot of Winder, more like.

The Railway Viaduct

There was now very little cloud on the Howgills and John’s plan was to climb Winder so we did.

Howgills nearly cloudless

What a fine viewpoint this is although photos do not do it justice due to the mist that was once again swirling.

Lunch was taken at the top and then a decision was needed.  Should we follow John’s plan or should we first head north and capture Arant Haw and maybe even more tops?  The weather made the decision for us.  

We're going down!

The cloud enveloped us so we did the sensible thing and dropped down into Sedbergh.  

John and James had been some way in front so when we reached the main road we were unsure whether they had gone right or left.  Inspiration then struck. They had done neither.  They were propping up the bar in the Dalesman ready to demonstrate to Robin their idea of BOOTboys life.

Days are getting shorter so a long initiation ceremony was out of the question. We set off through town and gown.  Wednesday afternoon means sports which at Sedbergh means rugby.  Or at least it did before girls were let in.  Various other activities were now taking place but there were still quite a few lads preparing to take on the visiting teams.

A Sedbergh rugby field

We followed the River Rothay bank westwards for some time, passing another fine, erstwhile railway bridge and close by but not seeing the wonderful Brigflatts Quaker Church.

We returned to Killington New Bridge then continued south along the River Lune, new territory for me, passing a weir where salmon were trying hard to get up but I don’t think any succeeded whilst we were there.

At High Strangerthwaite, the path takes a strange route through what seems to be the middle of a house that is currently under renovation then over very slippery slate slabs.  From there it was a short walk back up to Killington and the car.  

Good to have had you with us, Robin, and we hope you will join us again- if you can put up with the awful jokes.  A word of advice.  If it looks like rain, take something waterproof.  I will.  Alpaca mac !

Don, Wednesday 4th November 2015

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1537 .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - or for the totals of the mileages and heights (ditto) see the Excel file: BB Log.

You can navigate to the required report via the Home Page

Photos have been gleaned from many sources
although mostly from me and other BOOTboys. Likewise written comment.

I apologise if I have failed to acknowledge properly the source or infringed
copyright.  Please let me know and I will do my best to put things right.

Unless stated otherwise, please feel free to download the material if you wish.
A reference back to this website would be appreciated.

Wainwrights

To see which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing see Which Wainwright When? This may or may not be up to date!

For the latest totals of the mileages, heights and Lakeland Fells Books Wainwrights see: Wainwrights.
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BOOTboys 2015

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