Day 4
Again there was no bus to return by, so Robert and I drove to Holme Farm campsite near Sedbergh. The site was only a few hundred yards from the Dales Way, however the River Rawthey lies in between. I asked the woman at the site about how we could reach the Dales Way. The map shows an old railway viaduct and also a possible ford across the river. She wasn’t sure about the viaduct and said that she won’t recommend the ford as it was waist deep. This was a problem to be thought about later.
As I left my bike at the site a man came up to me and asked “Are you Mr Brown?” I recognised him as a former pupil who had in fact lived next door to me many years ago. I’m ashamed to say that he had to remind me of his name (David). He said he was now living in Warrington and we chatted about one or two people we both knew. A few days later, when I went in my local pub back home in Stockport, a neighbour, where I now live, asked if I’d been camping near Sedbergh. It turned out that he’d been on the campsite that day and in fact he’d organised the camping trip involving David (whom he was in still in touch with) and other families from Heaton Mersey. The odds of stopping on the same campsite as a previous neighbour and a current neighbour must be very small! We drove back, picking up Jan and Marilyn on the way to the previous campsite where we left the van.
This was short day in terms of walking and I soon went ahead of the others to get the bike, at the now deserted campsite. I cycled back along the narrow lanes and returned with the van a few minutes after 4 o’clock. I found my team sat outside the farm coffee bar, having just enjoyed tea and cakes. They said they hadn’t got me a portion because it would have melted in the heat! And the coffee bar was now closed.
That evening I went for a look at the railway viaduct, only to find twelve-foot high railings and British Gas warning signs. The disused line would make a great walking/cycling trail – what a waste! If I’d been by myself I’d have been tempted to climb over it. Next I checked out the ford – this seemed much more promising. Robert checked it later and despite the raging torrent thought it worth a try.
Campsite near Sedbergh
Farm coffee-shop, note: no tea & cake for me
Would you trust this man?