Summary

Summits Achieved

Preface

Shaun, Little Eric and Grizzly had arrived with the tea and cakes, to find Allen and Tetley, looking at the iPad.

"What are you on with?", asked Grizzly.

"We were reading the story of our last walk, from Burton in Lonsdale. Dad really went to town taking pictures, so plenty have been included and we did a separate section about the church", replied Tetley.

Meanwhile Allen had gone for the plates and mugs, as he is always ready for tea and cakes.

Grizzly replied, "thanks for that about the church. It was really interesting to visit and we were fortunate that it was not locked, as so many are these days."

"A sign of the times", sighed Shaun, as he poured the tea, Allen then passing the mugs round.

"What's the cake?", asked Tetley.

Cherry and ginger scones with butter and raspberry jam that Grizzly has made, and I have done chocolate cherry and coconut slice", replied Little Eric.

"Ooh scrumptious!", exclaimed Allen, who had passed out the plates and now held the cake tins for us to take our choice before helping himself.

"Lovely cake", Little Eric, said Tetley.

"Delicious scones, Grizzly", went on Shaun.

Just then Allen stopped with his mug half to his mouth. "Where's Southey? He's as bad as me for tea and cake."

"That's true", replied Tetley. "But like you I reckon he can smell tea a mile off, so I expect he will turn up soon."

And about five minutes later he did, calling out, "I bring news of a walk date."

"Eager as we are, get your tea and cake first", said Shaun, passing him a steaming mug, and Allen passed a plate with a scone and piece of cake on it.

We waited patiently, then Southey said, "we all know that Dad has a pretty busy schedule at present, but the weather looks good for Wednesday, so he is determined to take advantage. I'm afraid that it will not be on the fells however, as first thing he and Uncle Brian are going to Mark's for a haircut. This means we will not be able to set off very early, so it will be a country walk, with a fairly local start point. Oh and we have been tasked with coming up with the route."

"Well the Lune Valley is an option", suggested Allen. "I know we have done plenty of walks there, but there must still be some areas to explore."

"I'll get the map", said Shaun.

"Tetley said, "after the first field, on our last walk from Burton there were two paths. We took the one half left, but maybe we could use the one that went straight ahead."

"Right", said Shaun opening the map and locating Burton in Lonsdale, "let's see if we can create a circular walk."

"It goes on to pass Gallaber and ends up at Ireby Hall, and so to the A65", said Allen.

"OK, so far then", replied Shaun, who then went on, "there is a path on the opposite side into the hamlet of Ireby, then we can go on to Masongill."

"Then there is a track to the A65, and just a little way along the road a path goes off that leads under the old railway, to Bideber Mill", went on Southey.

"Almost there then", said Grizzly, "and look a footpath then goes over the fields and comes out on the Burton/Ireby road, where it is just a short walk into Burton."

"Great", said Little Eric. "All we have to do now is see if Dad likes the idea. Off you go Allen."

"OK", he said draining his mug and heading out of the door, map in paw. He was soon back saying, "it's on. Dad is happy with the route, which is all on new ground."

"Roll on Wednesday", cheered Southey raising his mug in salute.

The Walk

Despite Dad going for a haircut, meaning we would not be setting off until about 09:30, we got up early all lending a paw to make the picnic and get it safely stowed in Allen's rucksack, so that we were ready and did not delay Dad any further.

The last few days had been very unsettled with rain and strong winds, but today was an oasis of calm with sunny skies, after a cold and frosty start.

"I'm nearly ready to go", called out Dad.

"OK we are coming", replied Little Eric, as we dashed out to the car, calling goodbye to Uncle Brian and our pal Gladly who was busy doing the Daily Telegraph crossword with him.

It was a lovely drive up the valley, and as we approached Burton, Southey said, "are you going to park in the same place?"

"Well as we start by walking down Manor Close, I plan to park along there if possible", replied Dad.

This he did, and soon ready, we got settled in the rucksack. Shouldering this Dad then strode off to end climbing the stile by the gate into the field once again.

This picture shows our route clearly. First half left over the rise to the stile we had crossed only two weeks earlier on the previous walk. Then instead of going half left, we kept straight ahead up the centre of the pasture, climbing to the distant trees on the skyline.

"The tall shapely tree by the gate Dad photographed last time, has had its leaves nearly blown off in the strong winds", said Tetley. "So it was a good job you took it then."

"Yes the autumn colours will be rather spoilt now by the gales", replied Dad.

"The map shows the way through the fence will be to the left of the trees", advised Southey who was helping Shaun today, and gaining experience of map reading.

"There's the stile", called out Grizzly, as we neared the end of the pasture.

After crossing the next stile Shaun said to Southey, "what is the route now?"

"We keep ahead and go through that gate to the right of the large tree and then over the rail fence, presumably via a stile", he replied.

"That's spot on, well done", said Shaun.

"That feeder looks like miniature UFO", said Allen, letting out a laugh,

"It does rather", agreed Grizzly.

The stile was plain to see in the fence, but before climbing over Dad got the camera out and lined up a shot.

"Oh noooo", cried Allen, "there goes our sheep picture free story. And it is a group too."

Immediately beyond the fence we crossed the access to Gallaber Farm and then continued ahead with the caravan site to the left, to a waymarked fence corner and so on to a stile near the top left corner.

Immediately beyond ran a small stream swollen by the rains with soft muddy ground all about. "There are some stones to help", said Little Eric helpfully.

Rather slick with grease after the rain and loose too, did not make them ideal. "Here it would have been useful if I had had my stick", said Dad. However he negotiated them OK and wet feet were avoided.

"We head on over the hill now towards Stainderber Farm", advised Southey.

"I'm not sure what the hills are that can be seen behind", said Little Eric. "Can anyone help?"

Tetley was quickest saying, "Brownthwaite Pike (1381ft), the cairn being just in view, and then just right of the dip, is the true summit at 1436ft, being Casterton Fell. We last climbed them in March 2012 with Uncle Bob."

"The route avoids the farm going to that wall corner at the left side, then through the gate into that walled grassy track", said Southey.

This soon swung right to the farm, and here it was through the waymarked gate into the pasture on the left. "We now walk on to that gate in the wall ahead.", instructed Southey.

"Well done lad", praised Shaun, "you are really getting the hang of interpreting the map."

There were cows in the field with two young bullocks that stood warily under a tree, as we passed.

After the gate the route skirted left of a hill to a come to another gate, passing a solitary sheep. "I have never seen such a mucky specimen", called out Grizzly.

"Quite", agreed Dad, snapping off this shot.

"Oh I give up!", sighed Allen.

In the next pasture we crossed to the right corner, as the map indicated. Just before the stile step stones helped to get over a small stream. Shaun was looking intently at the map, and tracing with his paw said, "this may well be the Cant Beck, that we crossed twice on the last walk. It is certainly the same stream that runs by Collingholme."

So now through the gate in a new fence not on the map, and then right round the wall end. Here we followed the waymark directing us over the footbridge and stile at its far end to a further stile in the fence on the far side of the field.

"The route keeps to the right of the buildings of the farm initially", advised Southey. I think the farm is Ireby Hall, but there are two, the other being over to the right, but there is only one name on the map."

This pasture was extremely muddy and sucked at Dad's boots. A gate lay ahead in a substantial and tall metal fence. "Through that is our route, into the yard, to wind left then right and follow access track.", said Southey.

As we walked along the track, Little Eric said, "there seems to be bridge here, but the ground is all filled in."

"This is where the long closed railway line ran", replied Shaun.

"Ah that explains it. Thanks pal", responded Little Eric.

Soon we reached the A65. "We need to climb that stepped gap stile across the road, then its up the field to the buildings on the skyline", instructed Southey.

Dad crossed carefully as the traffic travels fast long here. Once at the top three gates took us past the buildings and on to its access that was to be followed to the hamlet of Ireby. "That's a truly fine view of Ingleborough", called out Tetley.

"It is ", agreed Dad, lining up the shot.

Along the access, Allen called out, "look how use has been made of that tree stump, with shrubs etc being planted." Now autumn there was not much colour, but there were signs that that would not be the case in summer.

Entering the hamlet, Shaun said, "look a seat. Good place for lunch."

"Absolutely", agreed Allen, rubbing his tummy in anticipation.

It was very pleasant and peaceful sitting here, as we munched away on our sandwiches, followed by some cake of course, with tea to wash it all down.

Finished Dad then said, "line up and I will take your picture."

As can be seen there is a dedication on the seat, most of which can actually be seen. It was given to the parish of Ireby by the Kay Shuttleworth family in memory of the late Lord Shuttleworth who died in 1975, and also to commemorate the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977.

Just as we were getting ready to go set off again, a couple came out of dwelling Orchard House opposite. They said hello and then the gentleman saw us, and offered to take Dad's picture with us.

"Thank you", said Dad.

As asked by the lady, Dad then explained, telling them our names and also mentioning our website, which they took a note of. The gentleman had been a press photographer and commented that he had a camera just like Dad's.

It was very nice talking to them and Dad said a cheery goodbye, as they went to post a letter and walk round the hamlet.

Settling in the rucksack we wandered along the road, where Dad took this of a house, all decked out for Halloween on Friday.

Turning back and passing the telephone box again, it was then across the bridge over the beck, and immediately right on a rough track with a wall to the left, that was followed to its end and over a stile into a field.

"We should keep on along the grassy tractor track and by wall on left", said Southey.

This led through a gap and across a field to a step stile in the wall and then to the left corner of the next field crossing the footbridge and step stile.

"Right the map shows we continue keeping by the wall that is now on our right", said Southey.

At the end there was a wall corner. "I don't see any way over", said Little Eric.

"I'm sorry", said Southey.

Shaun looked at the map, saying, "what Southey said was right, but there has obviously been a change to the right of way."

"We must have to go through that gate on the left side and then follow round to the right", said Tetley.

This we did then crossed to a gate in the fence up to climb a gate on to the lane at Masongill. Another small hamlet with some nice stone houses like this.

It was by this house that we went right (left as you look in the picture), to then go left on a hedged/walled track. This was rather overgrown at the start (glad it was not high summer) and pretty muddy too. It wound on seemingly for ever but eventually we reached the A65 again.

"We should cross then go left uphill and look out for a stile on the right", instructed Southey.

We kept our eyes peeled and shortly Grizzly said, "there's the signpost."

"I don't see any stile", said Little Eric.

We had in fact to descend to the bottom of the steep bank, and having done so could then see the step stones of the stile that had been hidden by the vegetation. Here it is after we had crossed into the field beyond.

"It's across to the top right corner, now", said Shaun.

A footbridge provided a way over the stream to the step stile tucked in the wall corner, after which it was up the field by the hedge on left to stile in cross wall. Beyond then descending and drifting a little left to stile onto a tarmac track.

"We go right under the railway bridge to Bideber Mill", instructed Southey.

At the buildings, Allen said, "where now?"

Southey looked around, and said, "there is a gate over there on the right."

Dad made his way to it, but there did not seem to be a way beyond it as there was a fence round the field. "Hmm", he said, "I am not happy about this."

Shaun was now looking at the map, and said "we should be going roughly south south-west, but from the position of the sun, through this gate is north-east. So it is definitely wrong."

Making our way back to come by the house, Shaun then called out, "look there is the gate we want, across the garden."

"Oh I am so sorry", said Southey, "I made a mess of that."

"Don't worry, you have done really well today", said Dad comfortingly. "It is just a case of building up your experience, like Shaun."

Descending the steps in the garden, we saw that the gate was waymarked and clearly the route. This pointed more or less straight across the field to a stile in the hedge and then across to a gate into another field and so diagonally right to a gate in the corner.

Some young heifers were grazing. "Aww they look so sweet", said Little Eric. "Take a picture Dad."

Through the gate into the next field we were faced with cattle with big horns.

"Heck they look formidable", said Southey worriedly.

"I think you will find that they are more scared of us", reassured Dad. He was right too, as when we entered the field it shied away.

We're not far from the end now", said Grizzly, seeing the spire of Burton in Lonsdale Church across the fields, the cattle not bothering us at all as Dad took the picture.

So now it was diagonally right to the stile in the hedge, seen in the picture above. Then we walked by the hedge on left onto the access track to Whaitber. Here it was left through the gate and along the track to the road, turning left to Burton in Lonsdale.

We passed a signposted junction, and include this picture.

Of most interest is the information on the top. As well as showing the village, it also indicates that this was once in the West Riding of Yorkshire. We say once as these were abolished in the early 1970s with the reorganisation of the counties. Finally there is the OS grid reference. Checked against Dad's GPS, it was correct, of course.

Nearing the car the church clock struck two o'clock, and once again with apologies to Rupert Brooke, Southey said -

The church clock it stands at two
And will there now be scones for you

"Of course", cried Tetley. "Were off to Elaine's at Feizor."

Dad poked his head in the kitchen on arrival. He was asked where he had been walking and explained that he had walked past the cafe in Burton, as Feizor was the only place to come. "Good lad, Gerry", Elaine said.

We sat at the corner table that Dad and Uncle Brian always have when they go on Monday, settling on Uncle Brian's chair and posing for our picture.

A pot of tea was brought and Dad had a lovely fruit scone with butter and jam, and piece of delicious chocolate caramel shortbread. A bit piggish we thought, but we have no room to talk!

Sharon, Elaine's daughter came to chat talking about the television programmes they both watch. Then Elaine came and sat a while chatting about different things including the television programmes. She told Dad that Sheila, who is very fond of our pal Snowdrift, had got her hip operation done! "That's great" replied Dad, "let's hope this is the end for her now with hospitals".

So a good day. An enjoyable walk and a nice time afterwards at Elaine's. And with that, this happy band headed home.

"Thanks Dad, as always for a another lovely day", said Little Eric on behalf of us all.

"You're welcome, and thanks for devising the route."

Oh and by the way, we saw no other walkers at all today!

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