Shaun, Grizzly and Little Eric had arrived with the tea and cakes.
"Great", cried Southey, going with Allen to get the mugs and plates.
"So what's the cake today?", asked Tetley.
"Grizzly and I have decided that it is to be a scone day", replied Little Eric. "Between us we have made three different kinds. Apple and cinnamon, fruit, and cherry and ginger."
"There is butter and jam to go with them, as well", added Grizzly.
"Sounds scrumptious", said Allen as he passed the plates round.
Meanwhile Southey and Shaun were concentrating on filling the mugs and passing them out.
Tetley, Allen, Southey and Shaun then tried different flavours, and all declared them quite delicious.
Allen picked up the iPad and looking at the diary said, "there is a walk day down for Tuesday with Uncle Eric."
"What are the weather prospects?", queried Shaun.
"Dry and sunny with light winds", Allen replied.
"I wonder where we can go?", said Southey.
"I do not think it will be up a hill, as Dad is still suffering with pains in his side", responded Tetley.
We all then tried to put our thinking caps on about an alternative, but for once we were at a loss for ideas.
It did not matter however, as when Dad spoke to Uncle Eric, he suggested a walk going to Satterthwaite and Rusland taking in Force Falls.
When he told us, Tetley said, "we did a walk in this area back in 2008, and but only on part of this route Uncle Eric is suggesting.
"It is from a book on walks to waterfalls that Uncle Eric had had bought him."
"Where do we start from?", Shaun then asked.
"Blind Lane car park", replied Dad.
"Oh heck", said Tetley. "That is where the other one started and we got totally lost trying to find it then."
"I have had a good look at the map and have got the route in my mind, so hopefully that will not happen this time", was Dad's reply.
"Well I can't wait", called out Southey. "It will be all new to me."
The Walk
We awoke Tuesday morning to blue skies. "Looks like a good day is in prospect", confirmed Allen.
All lending a paw, the picnic was put together, and safely stowed in his rucksack.
"We are meeting at 09:45, but I plan to leave at 08:15, to give us plenty of time in case the directions go awry again", informed Dad.
"OK", replied Shaun. "Oh and Dad, Barnaby and Lee with Grizedale and Ginger always go along to see Uncle Eric. Grizedale was adopted at the Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre, and as we are walking in part of the forest we have invited him and Ginger to come on the walk too. They are only small, and there should be space for them."
"That's fine, lad. I reckon they can snuggle in beside Grizzly."
"That's what I thought Dad", said Grizzly.
Setting off we made good time getting to and along the A590, to just past Haverthwaite, where we turned right to follow the brown signs for Grizedale Forest. The road is pretty narrow in places but there was little traffic. We passed a turning to Crosslands and then Roger Ridding Farm.
"I think I will pull in here, and just check the map, to make sure we are on course", said Dad. Looking closely he then said, "hmm, sort of. We are not on the road I expected us to be, and I think this is why we went wrong in 2008, as I bet we are on the very same road today. I had expected that we would be turning right to get to the car park, but on this road it will be left."
Shaun was looking too and said, "I see. We now need to go on and pass Thwaite Head, then take the next turn left at a sort of triangle."
"We can use the Satnav", suggested Grizzly.
This is what Dad did and all was well, as after a little while on the road that is called Blind Lane, we found a parking area on the right, but it did not have any name boards as we had expected.
Very soon after Uncle Eric arrived and then there was a bit of debate as to whether this was in fact the start point. "I am not sure", agreed Dad, "as we have not passed that area of woodland, and the GPS reading is not correct to that in the book."
I'll drive on a bit and check", said Uncle Eric. "He returned very soon, saying "the actual car park is just a few hundred yards further."
Maybe if we ever walk from here again it will be third time lucky in finding it straight away!
Soon ready we got settled in the rucksack with Grizedale and Ginger next to Grizzly, as planned. The day was just lovely with plenty of sunshine and light winds - a joy to be out!
"The instructions say we should take the path at the rear of the car park, rising right and following a route with green/white topped posts", said Uncle Eric.
The rough path climbed steadily to reach a forest road. "Where now?", asked Little Eric.
"Left", replied Uncle Eric. "Then we follow it until it bends sharp right, where we go ahead on a narrow path through the trees."
Despite it being such a beautiful day, we did not see many other people. The first of these few was a cyclist who called out "hello", as he passed by.
He can just be seen in this shot. The cloudless blue skies shows what a super day it was for November.
Keeping our eyes peeled, it was Shaun who called out, "here is the right bend, and look there is a path ahead waymarked as a bridleway."
"That's it", agreed Uncle Eric.
This was rough rocky and muddy. Rising steadily in a series of undulations, before then descending once again.
"The instructions say, it eventually becomes a surfaced lane, as we approach Satterthwaite", said Uncle Eric.
It did as we came by some houses, and then the village was clearly in view across the fields.
Reaching the village the road took us past All Saints Church, from which singing was emanating.
Records show there was a chapel in Satterthwaite as early as the late 16th century. The first church was built in 1837 by Montague Ainslie. Early English in style, it had a narrow square tower with a single bell, and a gallery at the west end. All Saints Church became independent in 1881 and was renovated at a cost of £450 in 1888, when the roof and windows were altered and the gallery removed. In 1914, the church was extensively rebuilt, this time at a cost of £1800, and the square tower we see today was added.
"Where now?", said Southey.
"Left on the road to cross Satterthwaite Bridge then shortly go right on the track Moor Lane", replied Uncle Eric.
Leaving the village we passed these impressive houses, one naturally being called Town End!
At the start of the woodland on the right, Tetley called out, "there is the track we want."
This seat stood under the trees.
Seeing it Dad, glanced at this watch, "remarking, it is too early for lunch", to which Uncle Eric agreed.
Looking at the state of it all moss covered, we were glad too, as for once we did not fancy the prospect of sitting there!
"We go left at a fork, then left as what the instructions say is a faint fork", instructed Uncle Eric.
The first fork was soon found, and then quite soon there was another clear fork, contrary to the book.
"We are following those green topped posts again, but it is unclear if we should go left again here", mused Allen.
So we kept on climbing up, until after a short way, Dad said, "look I can see a green topped post on the other track, so that was the correct route."
Rather than go back he and Uncle Eric, descended the short way over rough ground to gain the path.
This soon climbed passing through the short walled section supporting the banking. This is taken looking back.
"We follow this to a forest road", said Uncle Eric.
After a while Little Eric called out, "I can see the forest road ahead."
On reaching it Uncle Eric said, "it's right now."
There are many sculptures in Grizedale Forest, and here by a small waterfall is one of two bathers. "That's brilliant", cried Grizedale. "Ginger and I are having a great time.
"OK", said Uncle Eric, "we follow the forest road as it swings left, then at a junction it is left. Then after about 200 yards, it is left again on an unsigned path that runs below the forest road."
To be sure Uncle Eric decided to count the steps from the junction. We had got a bit ahead, and Allen called out, "this looks to be the path we are looking for."
"It is less than the 200 yards, but I agree it fits the description", replied Uncle Eric.
This ran down in a sort of valley/ravine. Along it trees had fallen across the track forming bridges, and had been supported to prevent them moving again.
"It is lovely through here", said Ginger. "Thanks so much for taking us along today."
"You're welcome", replied Grizzly.
The path finally descended to a gate onto the road. "We go right and then left between the buildings at Force Forge Farm", advised Uncle Eric.
"That must be those buildings just ahead", said Shaun.
The route was clearly waymarked. To the left was a large building that from its design had obviously been a bobbin mill. A sign reading 'Bobbin Mill Cottage parking', gave it away too. This would have been one of many in the Lake District that operated in the 19th century.
A waymark directed us left along a fenced path to Force Beck, which we crossed by the footbridge. "This would have provided the power to the bobbin mill", said Tetley.
Onward, the route led through a tall gate into and area called Stony Hazel, a coppice that was undergoing restoration works. Shortly at a junction we took the track right as indicated by the waymark. Walking on the man doing the coppicing work called out a cheery "hello".
The track led to another tall gate out of the coppice. Beyond it was the left again as indicated by the waymark.
"We climb up passing through a gap in the wall, and at the top the path will swing right and descend", read out Uncle Eric. "Then we need to look for a faint junction taking the left fork down to a gate onto the road."
Keeping a look out for the junction, it was Southey that spotted it calling out, "we go left here."
At the road, opposite was Rusland Church dedicated to St Paul. Going a little way right along the road, provided a spot for Dad and Uncle Eric to get a good picture.
The church was constructed in 1745 on, as can be seen, an elevated site, being rebuilt in 1868, except for the west tower.
As we walked into the churchyard, Dad said, "sitting on the boundary wall looks to be a good place to have lunch."
"Oh yes", agreed Allen, "I am getting hungry."
"You're always hungry", laughed Tetley in reply. Then on a more serious note, "I noted when Dad was taking his picture that there is quite a drop off the back of the wall into the field, so we had better be careful we do not fall."
We had finished our picnic before Uncle Eric and Grizzly said, "I wonder if the church is open, as I would like to see inside."
"Come on then, let's see", said Dad.
We jumped down and followed, Dad turning the handle and the door swung open. This was the outer door but once closed it was so dark, that Southey said, "ooh, I can't see my paw in front of my face."
Neither could Dad find the door handle on the inner door.
"You'll have to open the outer door again", said Shaun.
Finally we were inside, it being light and airy with the sun streaming in through the windows on the south side, and the nave stretching away before us.
We wandered along to have a closer look at the east end, seeing that the stained glass east window displays Biblical scenes while boards on both sides give the ten commandments, the creed, and the Lords prayer.
"Thanks you", said Grizzly, a little later as we went outside again. Then adding "I think it is time that we had our picture taken too."
"Fine", agreed Dad, "just hop up on the wall again, and get settled."
It was mentioned earlier that two of our other pals had come along today. Grizedale, who was adopted at the Forest Centre, is sitting with Allen, and his pal Ginger is between Tetley and Shaun.
Tetley then said, "the author Arthur Ransome and his wife Evgenia are buried here. Let's see if we can find the grave, again."
Well it took a couple of circuits, but finally Dad called out, "here it is."
We read later that Arthur discovered the Church in the late 1950's whilst exploring Rusland Pool during a fishing holiday. He found the churchyard one of the most peaceful places on Earth, and asked if he could be buried there under a particular tree, with the sound of the wind in the pine needles.
We can unequivocally agree about the peace, as standing silently, we could not hear another sound. Something that is so wonderful in this noisy busy world of today.
"Right time to get settled for the off", said Dad.
Returning to the road, we turned right (if not visiting the church from the gate at the bottom of the track we had come down earlier it is left).
Uncle Eric read out, "the route is shortly left on what looks on the map a wide track that runs to the right of Stricely Intake."
"Here it is", said Little Eric a minute or so later.
However there was a large road closed across the entrance. "Oh heck", said Southey.
"I suspect that it just refers to vehicular traffic", said Dad.
"Maybe" replied Uncle Eric, "but if we get a good way on then find we cannot get through we will have to come back." Looking at the map, he then said, "there is an alternative path beyond Thwaite Moss that climbs through the woods and then soon rejoins this closed track."
"OK" said Dad, "let's do that."
The hamlet of Thwaite Moss was soon reached with its brightly painted wall post box dating from the reign of King George V.
Five minutes later, Shaun called out, "there's the signpost and the stone step stile we want over the wall."
Through the woods the path climbed steadily on a very clearly waymarked path to a further stile in a wall.
"No doubt about the route now", laughed Allen, seeing the path running between fences either side.
This soon brought us to some wooden cabins (Force Lodges). Here we rejoined the track we should have taken, and then descended, keeping right at the path junction, to Force Mills and Force Falls. These were the reason why this walk had been included in Uncle Eric's waterfalls book.
Walking past the house, we reached a road junction. Uncle Eric commented, "if we were to go right it would bring us directly to the car park."
"This then was the road that you intended to be on when driving to the start this morning", said Shaun.
"Quite", agreed Dad, "but exactly how I would have got on to it remains a mystery for now."
"Do we go right then, Uncle Eric?", said Southey.
"No, we actually take the one left to come to and see the top of the falls."
"So where do we go now?", asked Grizedale.
"It is across the road along that path following the green/white topped posts", replied Uncle Eric.
The path climbed, coming to a fork where it was right through a wall gap, to then take the descending path right through the wall again, that led unerringly to the car park.
"Thank you Uncle Eric, that was a lovely walk", said Southey.
"What an enjoyable day Ginger and I have had too", added Grizedale."
"You're welcome lads", said Uncle Eric.
Allen then piped up saying, "and for the second story running there have been no pictures of sheep!"
"I'm slipping", replied Dad.
"So I guess it is refreshment time now?", said Tetley.
"Correct", replied Dad. "Uncle Eric and I are going to Yew Tree Barn, for pot of tea and scone. We will also be discussing and arranging future walk dates too."
"Yippee", cried Little Eric, echoing all our thoughts.
