Wednesday 7 September 2022 - The Dales High Way - Day 7 - Sedbergh to Ravenstonedale

The Dalesman hotel provided a nice breakfast, with perfectly poached eggs.

We left the cottage around 9am and were soon following signs 'To the Fells'. It was overcast, but still t-shirt weather.

We were soon marching up onto the Howgill Fells, to the cooing of pigeons and the whirl of crows circling high above us.

Past late flowering foxgloves, and fine views back down to Sedbergh. By the time we reached Arant Haw (605 metres), we had donned windproofs for the first time this trip.

The summits of Calder and The Calf were cloaked in mist.

The air cleared, and we spent the rest of the day in sunshine. It was a lovely walk over the summits, with fine views in all directions. We saw just one other person all day outside the Sedbergh dog walking zone.

Long slugs and large hairy caterpillars vied for the honour of the longest body. The slugs scored a narrow victory.

We passed flocks of rain bleached sheep, and avoided trampling the white bottomed spiders that shared our path.

After another leisurely lunch - quite a contrast to yesterday - in front of a wonderful panoramic view, we slowly descended north, past a recently planted plantation.

Then we left the main DHW route, and Cary skilfully navigated us to the Black Swan at Ravenstonedale, where a glass of Blonde ale went down a treat.

We did about 22km today - a fine day's walk in perfect weather, taking a little over 7 hours.

Later, a trip to the King's Head, as the Black Swan isn't doing food tonight. Looks like we will be waiting up to an hour despite booking for 6:30. The chef must be out catching red squirrels, which seem to loom high on the menu!