"That was a nice walk we did last Sunday, and we had quite a bit of entertainment with that Border Collie dog retrieving the stick that it had brought for Dad to throw", said Little Eric.
"I reckon the dog has played that game a few times with other unsuspecting walkers", replied Grizzly.
Tetley and Shaun wandered in. "We have talked to Dad, and he is planning to take us walking this Sunday", said Tetley.
"It is great that we seem to have got back into a regular walking schedule again, with the weather being kind to us recently", enthused Little Eric.
"Yes, if only it had been better in the summertime, but there is always next year", replied Shaun.
"You're quiet Allen?", remarked Tetley.
"Well, hearing what you have been saying, I have been checking the Met Office forecast for Sunday. I am pleased to say that our run of luck is continuing, and we will have another dry and mostly sunny day if rather cool."
"I wonder if we could go somewhere that will advance my Outlying challenge?", asked Little Eric.
"Don't see why not", replied Shaun. "There are still quite a few to mop up from the walks on the first page of the Outlying Book, like Brant Fell near Bowness, for instance."
"Now, I recall that when we did it, Dad took us on a walk in the Crook area, and towards the end we deviated to climb Brant Fell. That would be back in 2006", Tetley said.
"My how time flies", replied Allen.
"We need to get that walk binder down again and find it", said Shaun.
"OK, I'll come and help you", called out Tetley.
As Shaun opened it up, Tetley went on, "it's an old one from the Westmorland Gazette, so should be numbered somewhere between 100 and 150."
After a little while, Grizzly, said, "here it is, numbered 129. You were right Tetley. What a memory you have."
"Right" said Allen grabbing the page, "I'll go and ask Dad, and perhaps when I get back there will be tea?"
"Sure" replied Shaun laughing.
"And cherry & ginger scones too", added Grizzly.
"My absolute favourite", cried Allen, as he dashed out of the door.
Soon he was back, smiles wreathing his face. "It's on, Dad says we should get some nice views of Windermere too."
So we were a happy group, looking forward to Sunday, as we sat with steaming mugs of tea and munching away on Grizzly's delicious scones.
The Walk
Indeed as Allen had said, we woke up on Sunday morning to clear skies. As Dad slammed the boot shut, we trotted out and settled in the car, calling goodbyes to our pals. Once again it was not a long drive. Up the M6, then to the end of the Kendal bypass, where we turned off left to Crook the road eventually leading to Bowness. Near Windermere Golf Club, a narrow lane goes off right and Dad parked in the layby here.
"Which way?", asked Little Eric.
Glancing at the sign Shaun replied, "along the lane indicated by the red arrow, and at the end of the walk we will return along the path indicated by the yellow arrow."
In fact about half the walk would be along the Dales Way. This is a long distance footpath, that runs between nearby Bowness on Windermere and Ilkley in Yorkshire.
Strolled along the lane the surface being metalled at first, but beyond the houses it became unsurfaced, leading on passing through four gates in the process. After the final gate, the landscape became more open and this pleasing pool, with some nice reflections was away to the left.
As we set off again Shaun said, "if we followed this path to its end we would end up in Windermere, but at the next junction we go right keeping on the Dales Way."
This was clearly indicated on the three-armed signpost.
Initially a bit stony, it soon became grassy and through a stile on the wall on the right it climbed on to then join a path we had walked before with Grandsire up to the left.
"Dad, I know that we have all, Little Eric included, been to the summit of Grandsire before, but if you would kindly take us up there again, it will help me to get ever closer to my 1000 summit target", implored Allen.
"You have asked me so nicely, how can I possibly refuse", replied Dad, striking half left over the rough ground then up the slope beyond.
It is in fact not a very challenging ascent, and very soon the cairn came into view.
As we arrived Allen said, "thank you. You really are the best Dad in the world!
"What a lovely view of Windermere, with the mist hanging over the lake", exclaimed Grizzly.
"I get the idea", responded Dad, hauling the camera out of the bag.
At the far left are the Crinkle Crags, and going right is the depression at Three Tarns, then rising to Bowfell with Esk Pike to its right. The Langdale Pikes are unmistakable in the centre, the long lower hill in front being Lingmoor. On the right the highest point is High Raise.
"Breathtaking!", exclaimed Tetley. "We are at just over 800ft, and as I have said before, it is not necessary to be on the highest fells to get wonderful views."
"Even though we already have our picture here, we may as well have it taken again", said Shaun, as he settled on the cairn with the rest of us.
Then we settled ourselves in the rucksack, and off we went down the fell to rejoin the main track, where it was left through a gate and on to Hag End and along its access to the narrow gated road.
"We go right to those houses called Outrun Nook, where opposite we take the gate on the left still on the Dales Way", said Shaun.
Beyond the ground was very soft and muddy, and more rain had been added just last night. "Will it ever dry up", sighed Grizzly,
The way climbed to pass through a gate and on down to the buildings of Crag House. Last week we had got away without Dad taking any pictures of sheep, but our luck deserted us along here. Well, if it were not for Dad this website would not exist, so we have to humour him.
The path swings left, then shortly divides, the Dales Way continuing through the gate ahead.
"We leave the Dales Way here, and go through that gate on the right", called out Shaun.
It was a lovely meandering path that descended steadily through a small valley. The streams were full and rushing along providing pleasant accompaniment. At one point we crossed a footbridge, but due to the swollen streams one beck had to be forded twice just to reach it!
As we descended further, the path became more of a track, and made for easier going.
Finally at its end we emerged on to the Crook Road, near the Wild Boar Hotel.
"Are we nearly at Brant Fell?", asked Little Eric.
"No", replied Shaun. "We have to do a circle to Lindeth first, bringing us back to this road, from where we will climb to Brant Fell."
"So which way is it now, then?" he asked.
"We turn right then just a short way on take the narrow road descending left that leads through the hamlet of Mitchelland", instructed Shaun patiently.
A beck had accompanied us on the walk down to the road. It now crossed underneath, and continued near the road and through Mitchelland. The main road runs high over an embankment, with tall walls supporting this, but there is only a small arch through which the beck runs.
Strolling the lane, we passed through the pretty hamlet of Mitchelland and then on along the lane, to strike off half right on a rough track.
"Whatever is that high pitched continuous noise", said Allen.
"Sounds like some farm machinery or the like", replied Tetley.
"I'm not so sure though ventured Grizzly.
After a little way the lane became less enclosed, and suddenly all was made clear. It was in fact a model aircraft, being flown very expertly too. We watched for a while as it did rolls, climbs and swooping dives.
Suddenly there was another mechanical sound, and about four motorcyclists came along the lane in the opposite direction. It was perhaps as well they did not arrive when Dad had to negotiate this rather deep water obstacle.
"There are nice reflections. Will you take a close up for inclusion in the story?", asked Tetley.
"Sure lad."
That done all that remained was for Dad to negotiate his way past. Too deep to walk through, he edged his way by the wall on the left, his feet slipping and sliding in the mud. Further on there were some of our favourite Herdwick sheep in a pasture on the left, and one stood while Dad took its picture. We love Herdwicks, so are always happy for those sheep pictures to be included.
While Dad was taking this shot, Shaun was looking closely at the map. "We can keep on this path, but it would be better if we go right just a bit further along. It will probably be signed to Lindeth Lane."
"What would we do without you", sighed Little Eric.
Through the gate the clearly waymarked path was narrow at first, but this opened out beyond a ladderstile, across pasture and then finally along the access track to the lane.
"We go right", called out Shaun.
Strolling along the lane, Tetley said, "look Little Eric, there's Brant Fell."
"At last", he replied.
Reaching the crossroads, it was straight across. "What's that stone?", asked Little Eric.
"It marks the Parish Boundary", informed Tetley.
As can be seen, we are standing in the parish of Undermillbeck, and as we stepped past we were then in Bowness Local Board, this being inscribed on the opposite side.
"Right", said Shaun, "we walk along here then take the first footpath on the left."
A short slope led to a gate and beyond a clear path, where soon the slopes of Brant Fell, came into view to the left. Leaving the path Dad climbed the slope bearing round right, and then up left to the rocky outcrops, at the summit of Brant Fell.
"Yippee", shouted Little Eric, "that's another Outlyer ticked off. Come on pals, let's settle on the rocks for our picture."
"What a wonderful view of Windermere and of the mountains", exclaimed Grizzly. "It will be a good shot to include in the story."
After taking a few more minutes to enjoy the views. we settled in Dad's rucksack, and made our way down to the road once again. Turned left along it and at the next junction, continued ahead to the buildings of Matson Ground, where this wall postbox had been there since the reign of Queen Victoria.
"We go on for a short distance and then to rejoin the Dales Way, going right as directed", instructed Shaun.
Soon Allen called out, "there's the sign."
The route was clearly waymarked, and led across soft muddy pasture, and down to a gate close by a wall on the left.
"Ooh just look at that fungus that is growing out of the top of the gatepost", called out Tetley. "An interesting picture I think Dad?"
Up the field beyond, then through another gate to emerge onto a track, where we then went right to reach the road. Going left, it was then through a gap stile on to a path that had been created behind the wall, so keeping walkers off the road. This emerged at the road by the layby, where the car was parked.
"That was a lovely walk. Thanks Dad on behalf of all of us", said Little Eric.
"So tea now?", asked Tetley.
"Well no, I am not feeling thirsty or hungry, so we will just head on home", Dad replied.
"Are you sure you are feeling well?", replied Tetley, knowing how Dad likes his tea and cake.
