Having a quiet afternoon, Grizzly, Tetley, and Shaun, were dozing, when the reverie was interrupted by the whirlwind that was Allen rushing into the room with Little Eric poking out of his rucksack.
"We are going walking on Sunday", he announced.
"Really", replied Shaun with surprise. With Dad and Uncle Brian going to Armathwaite Hall next week, Dad had said quite definitely he was not going to walk this coming weekend."
"I know", said Allen patiently, "but the weather is set to be like summer, so it is too good an opportunity to miss."
"So where are we walking?" , asked Grizzly.
"I'll tell you, but pour the tea first, I'm dying of thirst."
"OK", said Shaun, laughing. "You certainly take after Dad!"
Settled with his steaming mug, Allen then went on. "When Dad was at Elaine's recently, he saw a walk that takes in Feizor, that she had put up on the wall. Part of it covered the area to the west, round Eldroth and Lawkland. We have never walked there before, and so Dad has devised a walk from the map. It is about nine miles, but over fields and along quiet roads, so it will not be all that strenuous."
"It will also give Dad the opportunity to go to Elaine's afterwards for tea and cake", added Little Eric.
"There is certainly a method in his madness", remarked Tetley.
So on a beautiful morning, we set off Dad driving the very familiar route, almost all the way to Feizor, but stopping short to park at just on the far side of Harden Bridge.
Grizzly told us, "this is the former road bridge now replaced by the wider modern one. It was probably built in the mid 18th century and widened about 1840. As can be seen there are two arches with triangular cutwaters. It is grade II listed."
Sunny and very warm for the time of year, so Dad was able to walk in just shorts and t-shirt, his coat left in the car, as there was no need to carry the extra weight. Amazing for March!
We were to see no other walkers at all today, but plenty of wild life - deer, hares (4), rabbits, lapwings & curlews, oh and hundreds of sheep and lambs!! We had to hope that they would all run away, and so not give Dad any photo opportunities.
"I see you have highlighted the route, so I will try to help giving directions", said Shaun
"Thanks lad", Dad replied.
So crossing carefully the A65, we strolled along Orcaber Lane.
The hope of getting away without sheep pictures was dashed almost immediately, as Little Eric pointed, "aww lambs are ever so cute."
Like lightening Dad had the camera out. "Oh heck", said Allen. "Still at least we get the sheep picture out of the way early."
"We take the second signed path on the left, that is also the access track to a property called Gayclops", said Shaun.
At the start of the access track, there was a lovely display of daffodils growing on the verge. "How nice", remarked Tetley
Where the track bent left to the house, we kept ahead, Dad climbing a very awkward stile, leading to the crossing the first of many many pastures today.
Ahead was Lanshaw Farm our next objective. Before we got there, Little Eric called out, "what are those birds that are swooping about in that field over to the left."
"Lapwings", Dad replied, " Uncle Brian and I just love to see them."
At the farm, the map shows the path is left of the buildings, but this just led to an enclosed yard with cows wandering about.
"Must have changed", said Shaun.
"Too true Lad", said Dad, going instead through the farmyard, then along a track and through a gate into a field, which Dad opened for the farmer, who was on his quad bike going to feed his flock.
"According to the map we now keep along the left of this pasture.", said Shaun.
We did, but Dad said, "this is clearly not right. I'm going to ask the farmer, as I do not want to trespass."
He directed us to a stile by a ruin, on the opposite side, then on uphill by a wall to cross this by a step stile. At home Dad examined the map closely and established that it is quite clearly wrong.
Now skirting High Lanshaw, the route continued ahead crossing the access track to Low Dyke House, and then over more stiles, and so finally reach the road near the tiny community of Eldroth.
"We go left, then almost immediately cross the stile on the right", called out Shaun.
The path led under the railway line, and then along by woods, although these have in fact been felled since the map was printed. Half way the path crossed right into the once wooded area and continued ahead to School Lane. It had been along here that we saw a least one of the hares we were to encounter today.
"We have to appear in every story", said Grizzly. "Let's sit on the wall there and have our picture taken."
"Turn left, then take the next path off left towards Black Bank", instructed Shaun.
This path ran between a wall and high fence. We were mightily glad of the fence, as we were barked at from the other side, by three very excitable husky type dogs. Beyond a gate we left the dogs behind, and the path then finally led into a small area of woodland, and out on to the road at Black Bank.
"Soon, we take a path right", said Shaun.
Almost immediately it forked, Allen asking, "which way pal."
"Keep on by the wall on our left", Shaun replied.
Onwards it climbed to Accerhill Hall, skirting round the buildings. "Our route is along the access track almost to the road."
Then nearing the end, he went on, "now we want to follow that path through the gate to the right. We keep on this crossing a wide track, and then at the road to keep ahead to the house called Blaithwaite."
The path goes through the grounds, but the owner who we met said to Dad, "the gate is rather awkward so I suggest you walk back and take the field gate instead."
"OK. Thank you for the advice", said Dad. "You have a lovely house too."
"We need to go down by that wood, then cross the field and pass under the railway again", Shaun advised.
We were to see a train too, just a few minutes later. Beyond the railway, we soon passed the lovely old building of Armitstead Hall, and followed its access track to the road.
"Left here", called out Shaun.
Walking this for about a mile, we passed the imposing Lawkland Hall. Grizzly said, "this is a Grade I listed building. The original west wing for the Yorke family was built in the late 16th century. The hall and east wing and east service range date from the late 17th century. There were alterations in the mid 18th century, and it was restored between 1912 and 1914 by J N Ambler."
and other nice properties, to just past Lawkland Hall Farm.
"We go left along the road by the phone box", said Shaun looking up from, the map.
This led past houses and into more pasture, and then on to cross the rather boggy Lawkland Moss, to Middlesber.
"Look there's another deer down there", said Grizzly excitedly.
At Middlesber, the way turned right and crossed more pastures full of sheep and lambs. Some began following us. "It's you they have seen, Shaun", laughed Tetley.
The path finally brought us to the A65 between Owlet Hall and the Dalesbridge Centre, where turning left there was just a short walk to Harden Bridge. .
As we reached the car, Little Eric said, "that last section was not a pleasant experience as the verges were narrow and the road was busy with speeding traffic."
"Thanks Dad for taking us on this lovely walk in a completely new area", said Allen. "We have all enjoyed it".
"So Elaine's now", said Tetley.
"For sure lad."
He had apple crumble and custard and a pot of tea.
The tearoom was very busy, but this was hardly surprising on such a lovely day. Elaine had had her knee operation yesterday so was resting upstairs, so it was the least that Dad could do to go up and chat to her and Jonathan for a while.
As we drove home, Tetley said, "that has been a grand day out."
