Allen & Grizzly were sitting staring out
of the window, looking very glum.
"Whatever is the matter", said
Shaun, who had just trotted in with Little Eric riding on his
back.
"This winter seems never ending. The
hills are blanketed with snow again, and we wonder if it will be
fit to go walking this week", replied Allen, mournfully.
Little Eric piped up, "there is not any
snow at lower levels, and I have seen Dad scrutinising the
weather forecasts for later in the week."
"Here comes Tetley, in a rush, so maybe
he will have some news for us", called out Shaun.
"Good news Lads", said Tetley
breathlessly. "Dad has just spoken to Uncle Eric and they
have arranged to walk on Thursday as the weather promises to be
good."
"Hooray", called out Allen &
Grizzly, the glum looks having been replaced with smiles
"Where are we going?, asked Shaun.
"To walk in the area around Lowick
Common", replied Tetley who had been doing his homework on
the route. "It was originally published in the Westmorland
Gazette, after those terrible floods in November 2009, when many
footpaths were impassable. It will be mostly on narrow quiet side
roads, but there is the promise of good views and not a little
interest too."
Here is a map of the route -
From the layby we take a narrow road to the
cluster of buildings at Wood End, then along a track to Beck
Bottom and the road. This we leave shortly to climb the prominent
hill, Lowick Beacon, to the right. Descending we reach another
road/farm track passing eventually Bark House. Crossing the main
road we follow the lane to pass by pretty Lowick Church, the
graveyard a blaze of colour with spring flowers. The lane then
comes to Lowick Bridge where we cross the River Crake, and
turning right follow the lane to the village of Spark Bridge,
where it is just a short walk uphill to the start.
The Walk
Thursday dawned, and we were up and
ready in good time, Tetley helping Grizzly to make the sandwiches
for our lunch, which were then packed safely into Allen's
rucksack.
As we heard Dad getting his kit
into the car, we rushed out and settled on the front seat ready
for the off. The road we took was a familiar one along the A590
under Whitbarrow Scar to finally turn off at Greenodd.
"I wish I had a pound for all
the times we have driven this route", remarked Grizzly.
"Absolutely", replied
Shaun.
It was not long before we arrived
at the start, a layby, that was once the actual road until some
improvement was done. Uncle Eric was already there.
"Good morning Uncle Eric", called out Allen. "We are looking forward to having your company on the walk."
"Hello lads, nice to see you."
Dad
hurried to get ready and we jumped into the rucksack and settled
down.
Shaun instructed, "we walk south a few yards and then take the lane right to Wood End."
This climbed passing the now
derelict Methodist church. "How sad and forlorn it looks", commented Tetley. "the slates are starting to come off the roof, which will hasten its decline."
Dad and Uncle Eric were to learn later from Sam at the Hat
Trick Cafe, that when it closed it had been bought by a person
who wanted to turn it into a house, but had been refused planning.
For whatever reason, we did not think that this was a
very good decision.
Continuing along the lane we soon reached the houses
at Wood End.
"Wow", cried Allen. "Just look at that stunning view of the
Coniston Fells. The summits of Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man are covered in cloud, while the sun shines on Swirl How and
Wetherlam."
The metalled road ended here, Shaun saying, "we continue along that muddy track."
Here Uncle Eric strides out
between the enclosing substantial stone walls.
This led down to Beck Bottom where
there is a farm and cluster of houses. Behind these runs the pretty
Otley Beck. "That will make a nice picture of the beck sparkling in the sunshine", said Allen.
Beyond the buildings the lane
climbed slightly to a narrow road.
"Where to now?, asked Little
Eric.
Tetley replied, "we turn left
along this road for about a mile, below and then round that hill
to the right, which is called Lowick Beacon."
Allen piped up, "it would be
nice if we could climb that, as it would make the walk
more interesting, and there is a clear path leading to the summit."
" Yes", agreed Tetley,
"especially as we will end up back on the published walk
after descending on the other side."
"Uncle Eric, Dad, can we climb
over the hill", implored Shaun.
"Yes", they both replied
in unison.
"Hooray", shouted Grizzly.
So instead after a short distance on the
road we took a path right that meandered over the rough terrain
towards Lowick Beacon. Soon a small tarn was passed.
Shaun consulted the map. "Somewhat unsurprisingly it is called Beacon Tarn."
"Very pretty", said Little Eric. "That small clump of daffodils in the
foreground will add a little extra to the picture."
Then striding purposefully on, we
soon reached Lowick Beacon summit at the modest height of just
under 700ft, and stared in awe at the stupendous views.
"Stunning again of the Coniston Fells, now all clear of cloud, with part of
Coniston Water", called out Grizzly.
Looking east Tetley said, "amazing too, of Red Screes, Caudale Moor and the Kentmere
Horseshoe, all blanketed in snow."
The other important matter to
attend to here, was to record our achievement of this hill, Little Eric saying, "come on pals let's sit by the summit rock for our picture."
Then we snuggled down again, and Shaun directed, "we have to head to a stile at the wall corner."
From there the descent continued over rough ground.
"Aww look that ewe has a totally black lamb", pointed Tetley
"Huh", grumped Allen. "I was hoping to avoid sheep pictures."
Ahead we saw a herd of cows, Uncle Eric saying, "I would prefer to deviate a little to avoid them."
Now above the buildings of Nettleslack, the route drifted right to the narrow road, where Shaun said, "turn right."
This took us past the buildings of Knapperthaw, and to a junction, where Shaun once again directed, "it's right here."
Strolling the delightful hedged road, we passed Bark
House, former farm buildings that have been tastefully converted
into houses. Then on to pass the houses at Wood Gate.
"Another superb view of the Coniston Fells", called out Grizzly. "We have been so blessed to have these wonderful views today."
Soon
we reached the main A5092 road, which we crossed carefully to
continue on the narrow road opposite. This led to St Lukes Church,
Lowick. A fine building with a square tower.
Looking at some notes, Grizzly said, "the church dates from 1865. The 5-bay nave has lancet windows alternating with weathered
buttresses. The 2-bay chancel has a gabled organ loft with buttresses, quatrefoil south window and an early 19th century wall sundial from a previous church. The tower has weathered angle buttresses and lancets; a gabled south porch; paired louvered bell openings, embattled parapet and pyramidal roof with weather vane. There is a stair turret to north side. It carries grade II listed status."
"Thank you pal", replied Tetley.
In the churchyard was a mass of
crocus & daffodils. "What a lovely spring sight!", cheered Little Eric.
Dad and Uncle Eric spent quite a
while taking pictures, so we were able to appreciate fully the
pretty scene. Then, taking a last lingering look, we walked on to come
to the Red Lion pub at Lowick Bridge.
"We cross the A5084, and then along the road opposite", said Shaun.
This shortly brought us to the the bridge over the River Crake, that
today was flowing swiftly. Tetley said, "it starts from Coniston Water and runs
for about six miles into Morecambe Bay."
Immediately beyond, Shaun instructed, "we go right."
This quiet road passed Bridgefield. "Another former farm that has been converted to houses", commented Allen.
The fields
were full of sheep and lambs, two of which were sitting together. "they are just asking to be photographed", said Little Eric.
"Hmm", huffed Allen. "But I have to admit they look so cute."
After more ups and downs
the road led into the village of Spark Bridge, where we recrossed
the river and climbed to the main road to regain the start.
"What a lovely adventure", said Tetley.
"And a completely new area explored too", added Allen.
"And as I said before, blessed with such wonderful views today", said Grizzly.
"I have enjoyed it very much", said Uncle Eric.
Refreshment time now so Dad and
Uncle Eric went to the Hat Trick Cafe at Low Newton, run by Jane
and Sam.
The great thing was that we, with our pals Barnaby, Lee,
Grizedale & Ginger, went in too.
Dad made this his main meal
having a delicious bacon lettuce and tomato toasted sandwich,
followed by apple, prune & almond crumble with cream, It
looked, and was, Dad said delicious as always.
Even before Dad
had ordered his main course, Jane said, "I can see you are already looking at the pudding board."