Well, this was a bit of Deja Vu, as the last time we hashed from this pub was when Antiseptic and I hared it in 2003.  And the weather this time was even better!  Under clear blue sky and with little breeze we circled on the pub frontage by the river.  The hares gave very little away except to say if we saw no flour we should just follow signposts.  Judging by the lack of response I think most of the circle believed them!  They also challenged us to spot a railway workers' shed (we failed) and a lime kiln (we succeeded).

Anyway, off we on-onned through the village, all except for newly recovering Sir Tom Tom who cadged a lift from the hares to the beer stop. We encountered half a dozen checks in the first quarter of a mile and by the river a footpath signpost seemed to point to nowhere accessible. While we mused, two local ladies popped their heads out of their juliet balcony and explained that it pointed to nowhere and we should ignore it.  So we did.  Our footpath signpost was over the bridge.

Before long we crossed the busy main road and rambled on gloriously across pasture and along beautiful valley, which was familiar as it was the in-trail on the previous occasion mentioned above.

Down to a bridge we turned left (whereupon I was slightly disappointed not to be going to the Smardalegill Viaduct in the other direction but the actual trail more that made up for it) and up a track for another half a mile until we crossed the disused railway track, past the kiln and further on under the railway track again heading for the garden centre by the Newbiggin on Lune main road junction, where we beer stopped (much appreciated). This last section was glorious with lovely views all around the surrounding hills.

After a good length of time drinking beer, Highway still had not appeared so Thunderdick kindly agreed to back trail to find him, successfully it appears.  Meanwhile we crossed the road and on through Newbiggin with several more checks and on to a split, where we Rambos headed across the meadows towards the Howgill fells.  Wimps carried on up a track in the Ravenstonedale direction along with the marathon running eventers who had started from Sedbergh.  Our trail meandered in relaxed fashion with stunning views and gentle going on the cropped grass (so much so I took my shoes off), until, though a farm we arrived at the far end of Ravenstonedale.  We passed the Black Swan and covered the last quarter of a mile to the King's Head on tarmac to find the wimps had finished before us.

This had been a terrific trail in perfect weather. What more could we ask? At the On Inn we were joined by a visitor, Half Cock from Darwen, who had missed the trail but joined us anyway for the circle. In the circle we had a selection of jolly down downs, including Cotside Manner, and named Wears The Soap.  Thank you White Noise and Off His Trolley for a very memorable hash and the King's Head was very friendly and welcoming with quick food service.