Day 58 of the End to End would officially be half way day, but it would include many distractions. I began at Killington New Bridge and was soon walking across fields to pick up the Dales Way. Bob met me and we walked to Brigflatt Quaker meeting house, which is very close to our current accommodation.
Brigflatt meeting house dates from 1675. It is the oldest meeting house in the North of England and the third oldest in the country. George Fox preached nearby and the Lake District has other notable early Quaker connections. We layer read that Fox had visited Borrett, in 1652, where we are now staying.
We crossed some more fields and walked into Sedbergh where we had some lunch. This included some ice cream. Bob then went back to Borrett for the car and I walked out of Sedbergh up Howgill Lane. Happily, Lockbank farm that made local ice cream is just along the lane and I was able to stop and sample a couple of flavours while enjoying the view.
The hedges along the lane meant it was quite sheltered. There were still quite a few bluebells out alongside cranesbill and lots of ferns. I passed the end of the lane to Bramaskew, the farm where the early Quakers used to meet before the Brigflatt meeting house was constructed.
Eventually I came to a well placed seat, and Bob drove up and agreed this could be the official half way seat. I have now walked half way to John O’Groats.
But half way is not all the way and so there were a few more miles to put in before the end of the day. Holy Trinity church, Howgill is another of the small places of Worship in the area.
The route was an old Roman Road and well supplied with sheep. We stopped just before Carlingill bridge. We came back via Lockbank Farm and got some ice cream to take with us.
From Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd:
With God’s care I want for nothing.
In green pastures and by still waters,
I am restored.
Christ before me, Christ beside me,
Christ above me, Christ behind me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Giving thanks for the journey so far,
God grant a quiet night and a peaceful end.
JAL 03.06.2019
Day 58 of the End to End from Killington New Bridge to Carlingill bridge via Howgill Lane.