I was very surprised to see the 8:11am Glasgow train approaching the platform at Chorley station on time. There was plenty of time for my connections at Oxenholme and Kendal. When the connections are tight the train is usually late. In Kendal I had a long time to wait for the 10:45am 106 bus to Tebay. The weather forecast was good but so far the weather had been hazy and overcast. There are no bus stops listed between Grayrigg ad Tebay but I wanted to start my walk at the B6257 turn off to Sedbergh. I asked the bus driver to drop me there and he did, just after 11am. It was hazy sunshine as I walked south along the road.

Kendal railway station

Interesting milepost at the start of the walk

The walking was pleasant even though there isn't a footpath because there was hardly any traffic on the road. Approaching Beck Foot viaduct the road goes under the M6 motorway then immediately under the railway. I took the left turn down to the Crook of Lune bridge and took my time in the pleasant sunshine. Down to the right there were the remains of a dam and water channel in the far bank which would have taken water to power the mill below. The buildings are all now private houses. Over the River Lune I walked up the narrow lane with the Howgill fells getting nearer in the background. I followed the access track to Riddings and noticed a barn in the process of being converted to a house. I took a photo in case I get the chance to photograph it again on completion. Through the farmyard the path goes through fields and up to Howgill Lane. I turned left then right up the access to Beck House. Through the farmyard the path goes through a couple of gates and into a wet valley by the river. The last time I was here I lost the path and finished up in the wrong place. This time I knew what to expect and was able to follow the correct line up to Beck Houses Gate.

I was now on open fell and was enjoying the steady climb up to Brown Moor across dry ground. Before me was Long Rigg, my objective for the day. When I was able to look down into Long Rigg Gill I was surprised to see a lone walker climbing out of the gill and head towards Brown Moor. He was much lower than me so we didn't get the chance to speak. I crossed the Gill and filled my water bag before setting off up the steep flank of Long Gill. I'd been this way some weeks ago and seen a couple of suitable flat spots for a tent. I climbed steadily to follow the main ridge line.

Barn conversion

Camp on Long Rigg

To my right I could see the dark shape of the Black Horse of Busha or Horse of Bush How. It's a shape below the heights of Bush How and it is debatable whether it is man made and ancient or a natural feature. I arrived at the best and largest of the flat spots at 523m just after 2pm. Today is the spring solstice so day and night are the same length. For the first time in many years I am cooking on my Coleman Peak petrol stove. For cold weather its perfect but the reason I've not been able to use it is the lack of affordable fuel. Petrol from the pumps isn’t very good and the coleman fuel you can buy in the shops is hideously expensive. Dean told me about alkylate petrol which is available for lawnmower engines and is ideal for the stove. The fuel is clear and almost odourless. It cost just over twice as much as pump prices, not 10times which is what coleman fuel costs.