Shaun and Little Eric arrived to find Allen and Tetley hunched over the laptop.
"What are you looking at pals", asked Little Eric.
"The pictures Dad took on our walk yesterday with Uncle Eric in the Lowick area. They have come out well and there will be enough to make up a story", replied Allen.
"Really good of the views to the mountains white under snow. How fortunate it was so clear for us to see them", added Tetley.
"We've brought tea", said Shaun.
"Great", cheered Allen, leaping up the get the mugs. "I'm gasping for a cuppa."
"No surprise there", laughed Tetley, as he got the biscuit tin.
So all was well, as we tucked to the biscuits, and downed our tea.
Allen said, "can you refill my mug please, Shaun."
"Sure pal. I reckon you have hollow legs." Then as he passed the steaming mug, he went on, "where's Grizzly?"
"I think I saw him talking to Dad", said Little Eric. "I wonder if it is about our next walk."
A few minutes later Grizzly hurried in saying, "I bring news of a walk on Sunday, with Uncle Bob."
"Oh great", called out Tetley. "It's two months since we last has him for company, when we climbed Shacklesborough in the North Pennines."
"Thanks", said Grizzly accepting a mug of tea from Shaun. "We are going to climb another summit in the North Pennines, this time Monk's Moor, starting from Middleton in Teesdale."
"Sounds like we are in for an interesting adventure", replied Little Eric. "Roll on Sunday."
"We'll have to be up early as there is a long drive", said Grizzly.
The route was much the same as when we met Uncle Bob for the climb to Shacklesborough. North on the M6 to Tebay then along the A685, past Ravenstonedale.
"That's where we walked from last month, with Uncle Eric to climb some of our outstanding Howgill Fells", commented Allen.
Soon the road climbed what is
called Ash Fell, and on through Kirkby Stephen to Brough. Here
going right, it was, again along the road that climbed ever upwards across the the wild and desolate
countryside of Stainmore, eventually to Middleton in Teesdale.
As we crossed Stainmore, Allen said, "it's starting to rain. I hope this does not set the tone for the weather today."
It was dry by the time we got to Middleton in Teesdale, and remained so all day, although the wind was cold and on the tops it felt more like February than April.
We parked by the main street and as we hopped out, Tetley called out, "good to see you Uncle Bob. We are so looking forward to your company today."
"Nice to see you lads."
As they got ready, Grizzly said, "that fountain is interesting. Let's have a closer look."
Grizzly read out, "it was erected by R W Bainbridge Esq of Middleton House, and as such is known as the Bainbridge Memorial Fountain."
Tetley asked, "Dad will you also take picture of the white oval plaque, to further illustrate this?"
I'm ready lads, called out Dad. "Come and get settled in the rucksack."
Shaun issued instructions, "go east along the main street"...
"...then take the signed path left."
The path climbed a bank to a stile, where beyond we crossed pasture. "Nice view back to Middleton in Teesdale", called out Little Eric.
The route then went right through some farm buildings and on the track, where Uncle Bob strode out, which led to the buildings of Stanhope Gate.
"Along the road now, then we take the track left to Spring Hill", instructed Shaun.
Beyond we crossed muddy pastures to a minor road. "Right a few yards then onto the track left", was Shaun's next instruction."
This led over more muddy fields and entering the last, we then left the footpath to follow the 'dotted path' marked on the map, over open fell.
The ground was now rough with tussocky grass heather and bog! "Just the kind of terrain we are so used to", remarked Dad.
"Yes mate", agreed Uncle Bob.
This finally climbed to the trig point at 521m.
"That's Grassholme Reservoir, in the distance, where we walked from last time when we climbed Shacklesborough", said Tetley.
Looking up from the map, Grizzly said, "I know this is not the summit of Monk's Moor, but will you take our picture sitting on the trig point, Dad?"
"Of course lads, get settled."
As we snuggled down, Allen said looking up from the map. "we just head roughly north to get to the actual summit of Monk's Moor."
This took about half an hour across the more tussocky grass, heather and bog, Little Eric calling out, "that huge cairn marks the summit."
To illustrate this are using this fine shot taken by Uncle Bob.
photograph courtesy Bob Woolley (Uncle Bob)
"Come on pals", urged Allen, "time for our summit picture."
Just below the summit is a ruined sheepfold. There were no sheep here today. "This is a lonely and desolate spot", said Grizzly, "I doubt we will ever come here again."
Besides the cairn there are some huge boulders. "Looks like a giant has been throwing them about", commented Little Eric.
We spent a while here, Dad and Uncle Bob taking photographs, Dad capturing Uncle Bob in action.
Setting off again, Shaun advised, "we descend west to cross a fence and then on down to the narrow road at Hudes Hope."
There was lead mining here in the 18th and 19th centuries and we could see extensive evidence of this.
At the road, Shaun said, "we go right round the sharp bend and on down to a path left near Hudeshope Beck."
Dad called out, "Bob, just stand and I'll take your picture."
Reaching the path left, Tetley said, "there's no stile, but this is definitely the right of way."
"Oh well", said Uncle Bob, "We'll just climb the wall."
"We've done plenty of that", said Dad.
"That sheep is begging to be photographed", said Little Eric, winding Allen up.
"Hey ho", sighed Allen, "there goes the sheep picture free story."
The path soon joined a good grassy track. All around were spoil heaps and the remains of lead mines from long ago.
"There's the entrance to one level", pointed Tetley.
Dad, having stopped to photograph this, Uncle Bob had got a little ahead, and paused for us to catch up while taking in the views of Hudes Hope valley.
We walked on for a while, coming to the remains of some mine buildings.
It was now 14:00, so Bob said, "good place to stop for lunch. We can sit on the walls."
"Ooh yes", enthused Allen, rubbing his tummy. "I'm hungry."
"Me too", agreed Shaun.
It was very quiet and peaceful here, while we enjoyed our sandwiches, cake and tea.
About to settle in the rucksack, Dad said, "I'll take your picture lads."
Striding on we eventually came to this long abandoned quarry that we deviated to walk through.
Finally the path descended to a forest road. "We take that signed path left, up through the woods on the edge of Snaisgill Plantation", said Shaun.
Beyond a corner we took the wrong path, and ended up down by the Snaisgill Sike, on a circular walk.
"Oh dear", said Little Eric. "There is nothing for it but to climb up the rough steep slope and regain the correct route, and then on to the road at Snaisgill."
Rounding the bend, Shaun then said, "Take the footpath going left."
This climbed, crossing a number of step stiles, Dad saying, "my knees are not liking this."
Continuing the path then descended to a narrow road, Shaun saying, "we crossed this on the way out, but further along to he left. Now we want the path opposite."
This descended to Stanhope Gate, the path leading through a gated tunnel, where Uncle Bob posed.
On the far side, Uncle Bob said, "I'll take your picture mate."
At Stanhope Gate, Shaun said, "we just retrace our outwards route to Middleton."
"That was a very enjoyable walk", said Allen. "Completely new ground for us all."
"Aye good exercise", added Uncle Bob.
"And after all that, time for refreshment", said Dad.
We settled in the car to have a second picnic, while Dad and Uncle Bob made it just time to the nearby Conduit Cafe. Here they had nice scones with butter and jam, and warming cups of tea.
The sign was turned to closed just after they came in and one of the staff locking the door joked, "you'll have to do the washing up before you leave."
Dad said he was good at that and Bob said he was good at drying, upon which they said, "well we will go home and leave you to it."
Our pals Citroen and Dougal usually accompany Dad in the car, and Uncle Bob had two bears of his own with him. Cedric the Caravan Club bear & Huey the Land Rover bear. So, before leaving for home they all posed for their picture.
l-r Dougal, Cedric, Citroen & Huey
Another grand day out!
