Ski Club of Manchester Late Summer Walks Weekend 2021, Barbon Low Fell, Saturday 11th September

Leader: Dave Miller

Reporter: Brian Beardsall

Fifteen walkers and six dogs assembled in the car park of the Barbon Inn. The weather was overcast but the forecast was for a dry day.

We managed to leave on time and set off through the village, through Barbon Manor Park and then climbed gently to Bull Pot Farm from where we made a short diversion to view the cavernous entrance to a pot hole. There followed a very pleasant walk along the fellside towards Brownthwaite, where we stopped for a combined coffee/lunch break and admired the views.

Refreshed, we continued south west and very soon the heavens opened and we walked for twenty minutes or so through heavy rain — so much for the forecast! Just before reaching Casterton we turned north and walked towards Bell Gate. Along the Fell Track we came across the “Sheepfolds" installations of Andy Goldsworthy, about sixteen dry stone walled sheep folds, eachcontaining a very large rock. Whatever its merit, it provoked a lively discussion. Back in Barbon we stopped at the Church mouse Tearooms for tea and cakes.

In the evening all the group, apart from Bill who had had to return home, met in the bar for a quiet drink in the Barbon Inn followed by a very enjoyable, convivial dinner.A great day’s walking for all of us, especially the dogs who must have covered three times the distance we did.

Thanks to Dave for organising and leading and to Steve for, as always, providing the Eccles cakes.

Walkers: Dave and Vanessa, Christine with Fossie and Freddie, Wendy with Barney and Wallace, Steve with Jim, Andrew, Howard, Brian and Helen, Paul and Liz, Brian and Catherine, Dave and Bill.