Allen with Tetley and Little Eric were gathered round the laptop as Shaun trotted into the room.
"What are you looking at pals?", he said.
"The pictures Dad took when we climbed the Langdale Pikes", replied Allen. "What a day that was for me. Passing 200 Wainwrights and completing Book 3 Central Fells."
"You are tantalizingly close to completing the Wainwright challenge, and catching up with Shaun, Grizzly and I", replied Tetley. "I am sure Dad will take you to the 13 remaining ones over the next year."
"I can't wait for the day when I summit the last", cheered Allen.
Meanwhile Shaun had poured the tea and passed the mugs round. "Thanks", said Tetley.
We dug into the biscuit tin too.
Reaching for another, Shaun paused, saying, "where's Grizzly? Even though he is not as much a tea belly as you Allen, he never misses out."
"Don't know, but I am sure he will be along", said Little Eric.
And just minutes later he dashed in with and excited look on his face. "I bring news of a walk with Uncle Eric on Thursday that is great news for Allen and I and Little Eric too."
Ever practical Shaun said, "here's your tea. Have that first and a biscuit. Then tell us the news."
So, he did, and after a few minutes broke the news. "As I said we are walking with Uncle Eric, and in fact we will start from his house, because we are going to climb Cunswick Scar and Scout Scar that are close to Kendal, where he lives."
"Wonderful", cheered Allen. "That means you and I will catch-up with Shaun and Tetley on the Wainwright Outlying Fells."
"Leaving just Stainton Pike for Shaun, Grizzly, Allen and I to complete the challenge of all the named summits", went on Tetley. "Hopefully we will get that done this year."
"Roll on Thursday", said Little Eric. "It will be good to have Uncle Eric's company."
Allen and Grizzly were excited and eager to be off, listening for Dad taking his gear to the car.
On hearing the boot slam shut, we hurried out calling goodbyes to Uncle Brian and the Hug.
"Have a good day, lads", replied Uncle Brian, "and make sure Dad takes care to look where he is going."
Parked at Uncle Eric's, Dad got ready and we settled in the rucksack.
"Good to see you Uncle Eric", said Tetley. "Lovely to have your company today, and thank you for planning the route. We are sure it will be full of interest."
"Good to see you lads."
Turning right on the road we climbed gently to Kendal Green, there turning right.
"Look at those spider's webs. Amazing", said Grizzly.
At the end of Kendal Green, Uncle Eric said, "we go down this private road."
"I am not sure which house, but this was where Alfred Wainwright lived."
"Our inspiration to climb the fells", said Allen.
A field was crossed to the Hallgarth Estate, where we walked along the streets and out into open country.
"Are we heading for Hollins Lane?", asked Shaun.
"Yes" replied Uncle Eric.
Crossing a succession of fields, passing close to the holiday cottages of Lane Foot, stiles etc., allowed progress including this old iron ladderstile.
Reaching Hollins Lane, Shaun said, "left to the main road."
"Correct", replied Uncle Eric.
As we walked along, Tetley said, "that is an impressive house to the right, and some lovely autumn colours in the trees."
Grizzly was later able to tell us, "it is Tolson Hall and was built in 1638 for Thomas Tolson (or Towson) a tobacco merchant. The west wing and Hall were substantially altered and extended c1800, the East being heightened and partly rebuilt during late C19. It has grade 11 listed status."
At the main road we crossed with care, Shaun saying, "we take the path there into the field, and then keep roughly the same direction, coming by a wall on the right, to exit onto the B5284 Crook Road."
Crossing this, Tetley said, "there's the signpost for Cunswick Fell."
"Over the stile and towards the woods", said Allen.
The path entered the woods and climbed gently, to exit through a gate onto open fell, where in just a few yards we arrived at the huge cairn on Cunswick Scar.
"Great", cheered Grizzly. "That's one down. Picture time for us."
"What a shame there are no views to our beloved Lakeland Fells today", Shaun.
Following the good path, the last section being in woods, we eventually reached the Underbarrow Road.
"We cross and take that path opposite", said Shaun. "It is now just a short distance to the summit of Scout Scar, marked by the shelter known as the 'Mushroom'."
Little Eric remarked, "with the cloudy skies today, the roof almost blends in."
Inside the roof all the fells that are normally in view in clear weather are shown round the rim. We read the whole circle, Allen saying, "almost without exception we have climbed them all."
Made us feel rather proud too.
So that's it Grizzly", said Allen. "Finally we have caught up with Shaun and Tetley. We must have our picture taken."
Below west lies the
beautiful and timeless Lyth Valley, a charming sight.
"Where now?", asked Shaun, as we settled again.
"Keep on in the same direction to a crossroad of paths", replied Uncle Eric.
As we ambled on descending gently, Dad paused to take this shot looking back to the summit.
At the crossroads of paths, Uncle Eric said, "turn left."
This wide meandering track continued to descend across Helsington Barrows, to a kissing gate on to the Old Racecourse.
Uncle Eric told us, "it has not been used as since the 19th century."
"Despite this the track is still clearly discernible", commented Grizzly.
On the far side a stile brought out on to Brigsteer Road, where Uncle Eric said, "turn right."
"Look at that old milepost", pointed Little Eric. "It will make an interesting picture." Then peering closely he said, "the distances read on the left Kendal 1 mile and right Brigsteer 2 1/4 miles."
Tetley went on, "I presume 1900 refers to the year it was installed."
Walking on the road bent right and crossed the Kendal Bypass. "Some of the trees have nice autumn colours", said Shaun.
Striding on, and following Uncle Eric's directions we entered Serpentine
Woods. This is an enchanting place with a myriad of paths and relics from bygone days.
"What was that
sturdy rectangular stone built block for?", asked Grizzly.
Uncle Eric said, "this was once the emplacement for Kendal's 1 o'clock gun. From
1873 until the 1930's it was fired to mark the normal dinner time
for working men. It was fired by electricity through a telegraph
wire from T & E Rhodes jewellers shop in Highgate. In fact the insulators for the telegraph wire can still
be seen high up on the wall, at the corner of Highgate and Finkle
Street."
"How interesting", replied Grizzly. "Thank you."
We had earlier passed this overgrown limestone platform.
Grizzly did some research and later told us, "it measures 30 metres by 30 metres and is believed to have been used in the past as a 'dancing green'. The full history is not known, but it is thought to have been built about 150 years ago and was used for dancing and picnics in Victorian times."
"It is idyllic walking through here", said Tetley, "thank you for bringing us this way, Uncle Eric."
"You are welcome."
"Oh that sculpted seat will make a nice picture to round off the story", said Allen.
Descending, it was not very far to Uncle Eric's, but
first we crossed a path called 'The Tram'.
Again Uncle Eric enlightened us. "There was
once a tramway here that brought the stone from Kettlewell Quarry,
which at the time was used to build much of the property in
Kendal. It is a grey stone, giving Kendal its nickname as 'The
Old Grey Town'."
"That was a fascinating walk", said Grizzly on behalf of us all. "Thank you again Uncle Eric."
"You are most welcome. Just glad you all enjoyed it."
And with regard to the Wainwright Outlying Fells, for us all, with the
exception of our pal Little Eric, just Stainton Pike remains to
be summited, to complete the challenge of climbing all the named fells.
Good day. Thank you Dad as always.
