Summary

Summits Achieved

Preface

"What a super walk with Uncle Bob", said Allen, looking up from the laptop. "There are plenty of good pictures so it will illustrate our story well."

"I really did not think that we would ever walk with him again, but since his hip operation he has now fully recovered", went on Tetley. "So here's to more to come."

It was then that Shaun, Little Eric & Grizzly, arrived with the flasks and cake tin.

"Ooh great", cheered Southey, going to get the mugs and plates.

"I'll, give you a paw, pouring the tea", volunteered Allen.

"Thanks pal."

"So for cake today we have chocolate coated flapjack from Little Eric, and I have made mincemeat slice", said Grizzly.

"Ooh lovely", enthused Southey, helping himself to a piece of each. After taking a bite he said, "the flapjack is deeelicious, Little Eric".

"And the mincemeat slice is lovely", called out Tetley.

So content and with steaming mugs in paw, our thoughts turned to walking.

"Dad went to see Dennis, his osteopath, this morning", said Shaun. "His back is still not yet healed and so Dennis has recommended a gentle walk. Dad thought of going to do the Three Rivers tomorrow, yet again, but maybe we can come up with an idea over new ground."

"I know what would please Dad", laughed Grizzly. "One that is not far from Elaine's at Feizor, so he can go for tea and cake afterwards."

"So we need to look at OL41", called out Tetley, as he went off to get the map."

On his return, Allen said, "actually Dad has the Ordnance survey app on the iPad now. When he bought the new OL4 he got access to the map. He had thought that it would just be that map area, but in fact it is the whole of the country."

"I had forgotten that", replied Tetley. "Still the paper maps will be what we will take on the walk."

"Of course pal", agreed Allen.

Meanwhile Shaun had opened the map up and with Grizzly, Little Eric and Southey was pouring over it.

Little Eric said, "Long Preston is not too far past Feizor, and we know there is parking at the station. Maybe there will be some new ground from there?"

"That's an idea, pal", agreed Grizzly.

Locating Long Preston, Shaun pointed, "we have not walked this lane, which peters out but then continues as a track and finally coming to a road almost at Settle."

"Good start", agreed Southey. "Then we can take Lambert Lane, to this road and then turn south again."

"That will take us past Scaleber Force, which will be worth a look again", commented Tetley.

"Langber Lane will be our return route then", said Shaun. "We have actually walked its far end from the hamlet of Otterburn on a previous walk."

"But we will not need to go all the way today, rather return to Long Preston via these footpaths."

"Sounds like a good plan", said Allen. "I'll go and see what Dad thinks", picking up the map and heading out of the door."

"Can I have another mug of tea, please?"

"Sure, Southey", replied Shaun.

"You had better pour Allen one too", laughed Shaun. "We all know what a tea belly he is."

"Just like Dad", agreed Little Eric.

Minutes later Allen was back. "It's on."

"Great" cheered Southey, and raising his steaming mug, "here's to tomorrow."

---

8th November 2017
As Uncle Eric had never done any of this walk, Dad suggested repeating it. Of course having been rescued on the original walk, our pal Hunter had to come too. A happier day for him than when we found him all abandoned in the tree. It was a perfect day for walking with clear skies and light winds and good views. Having already written the story, Dad did not take many pictures, but some have been utilised within the original story.

---

3rd April 2021
Easter Saturday, but the roads were quiet as we are in the very early stages of reopening from the third lockdown due to Covid-19. We decided to repeat this walk. The first in Yorkshire for a while. A sunny day if rather cold to start. The countryside is waking up from its winter slumber, the early flowers coming out and the fields full of ewes with their lambs. Hunter came along once again, snuggling in the rucksack beside Grizzly. And to round the day off, Dad was able to go to Elaine's Tearooms at Feizor to have a take-away meal. We so look forward to when he can resume going every Monday, as we know how dear the place is to Dad, and was to Uncle Brian who died in September 2019. When we got home, he told us, "I feel great lads. It has been a good day for body mind and soul." Replying for us all, Tetley said, "that's so good. We have had a super day too, so thank you Dad as always for taking us walking." Some pictures from today have been included to further add to our account.

19th February 2023
A rather dismal day, that got windier and colder as time went by. Nevertheless Dad said we were going walking, and we suggested repeating this to get some distance under our paws, and also we knew that Dad would be able to go to Elaine's tearooms at Feizor afterwards. Still winter, but the snowdrops are out indicating spring is just around the corner. Hunter came along once again, snuggling in the rucksack beside Grizzly. We debated about Dad taking his camera, Grizzly saying, "you never know we might spot things we missed before." And indeed we did, and a few more pictures are included to add to our story. There was and added bonus when we went to Elaine's, as Uncle Leo and Auntie Pat were there with friends Walter and Margaret. We got fussed by Auntie Pat and she sat us on the shelf by the table. Dad had a nice chat with them all before the left soon after, as they had had their meal before we arrived. Dad had a delicious cheese and ham toastie with chips, then apple and blackcurrant crumble and custard, all washed down with a big pot of tea. Auntie Sharon sat and chatted for a while, then he chatted with Auntie Elaine. It was quite late when we finally departed, and like in the past the staff were sweeping up around him.

The Walk

The drive was very familiar, especially for Dad, as it was the route he and Uncle Brian took every Monday to Elaine's. Today we drove past the lane to Feizor, continuing along the A65 to Long Preston, turning down the lane right to the car park at the railway station.

Dad was soon ready and we got ourselves settled in his rucksack.

As he shouldered this, he said, "right, off we go."

"It's back to the main road, then we turn left", instructed Shaun.

On the spring day in 2021, immediately as we left the station car park, Grizzly said, "that host of daffodils are worth a picture. A lovely splash of colour. Wordsworth comes to mind."

The A65, is a very busy road, so it was with some surprise that Dad was able to take this of it empty of traffic.

Just a few yards onwards, Southey said, "the Boars Head looks ever so colourful with all the hanging baskets."

"OK", said Shaun. "We continue to the green taking the road right.

In February 2023, Dad's progress was halted by Allen pointing, and saying, "look at that stone post on the right." Then peering closely he went on, "it's an old milestone."

With a bit of peering and squinting, Southey said, "the top inscription reads 'Skipton 7 miles', and below 'Settle 3 miles'."

Later doing a search, Grizzly told us, "the milestone once stood by the A65, but now is sited in the Millennium Garden."

Shaun now issued further instructions, "almost immediately go left up Green Gate Lane."

Very soon Tetley said, "this is it", pointing at the sign.

From the start this climbed gently if relentlessly. Allen said, "what are you doing?", as he noticed that Little Eric was looking from side to side.

"Looking for the green gate" he replied .

"Oh I see", laughed Allen.

Very soon on the February day in 2023 progress was halted by Shaun saying, "those snowdrops will make a nice picture. Spring is on the way."

Back on our initial walk of the route, Dad stopped and got the camera out. "What are you taking?", asked Grizzly.

"That group of trees to the left", he replied.

Eventually the name changed to Edge Lane passing left of an area of access land called The Edge.

Looking left Tetley said "that field barn will make a nice shot."

Looking up from the map, Allen added, "it is called High Barn."

In about half a mile the tarmac ended. There are no farms or other buildings off this lane so as a consequence there were no vehicles, enabling us to enjoy undisturbed, the wide open views to Bowland and Pendle Hill and over to the fells above Settle. The exception was the spring day in 2021 when cars passed us. We met a lady with her lovely gentle dog called Tilda, who told us that local people drive up to take their dogs for a walk. Again in 2023 cars passed us and there were quite a number of people walking their dogs.

When we had been planning the route, it had been noted that there was a modest summit called Hunter Bark a short distance off the track. Dad had agreed to take us to the trig point to bag it. So here Tetley called out, "that's Hunter Bark ahead."

As Dad made to stride on, Grizzly called out, "there is something lodged in that solitary tree. Whatever can it be?"

Dad immediately made for the tree, and as we got close, Allen said, "it's a little teddy bear. However did he get here?"

"Oh dear, lord knows how long he has been stuck here", cried Southey. "The poor little lad is in such a state and must be soaking wet too."

"You'll have to rescue him Dad", implored Little Eric.

"I will, of that there is no doubt", agreed Dad.

Dad lifted him carefully down, and carried him as we made our way on,

Near a wall corner, Tetley pointed, "look, there's the parish boundary stone. Marking the boundary between Long Preston and Settle. A picture please Dad."

Shortly we climbed the stile on the left, immediately leaving the footpath right to climb a path roughly parallel with the wall of the track, and soon reach the trig point on Hunter Bark.

"That's another one for our Yorkshire Dales Fells list", cheered Allen.

"Come on pals, let's sit on top for our picture", called out Little Eric. "Hunter must sit with us too. That is what we have decided to call our rescued pal," he informed Dad.

"Thank you so much for saving me", said Hunter.

"You know we were fated to come this way, so that you could be rescued", replied Dad. "For the rest of the walk it will be best if you just snuggle down in the rucksack. Then tomorrow I will see to gently cleaning you up and getting you dry."

"Thanks Dad", he replied.

On the repeat walk, here is Hunter with us, looking much happier, dry and fluffier.

And here we are with him on the day in 2021.

And again in 2023. The day was too windy for sitting on the top of the trig point so we sheltered in the lee at the bottom.

There are extensive views from here, like this to Settle.

"If we head east down the fell we will come to that fence corner and over that to the track again", said Shaun.

This was fine except that the fence had barbed wire across the top, and the height was such that getting over was a little difficult. Dad therefore had to do this carefully!

On the track again, this climbed then swung left. Away to the right there were good views of the hills near Settle, like this of Attermire Scar and Langcliffe Scar.

Onward we then reached Black's Plantation, the track leading right round its top to end at Mitchell Lane.

"The road leads to Settle in about half a mile", said Shaun. "We go right on the track called Lambert Lane."

With substantial walls on either side it was, straight for a section, then swung left descending to pass a sheepfold.

Eventually it led past the ruinous Preston's Barn to High Hill Lane, below High Hill & Sugar Loaf Hill.

"I remember the day we climbed Sugar Loaf Hill, with Uncle Bob", recalled Tetley. "It was extremely windy and we had to shelter in the lee of the rucksack while you took our picture. Then you had the difficult job of getting us safely tucked inside again. Uncle Bob sensibly left us to it, descending to get out of the wind."

"We turn right here", advised Shaun.

This brought us to Scaleber Bridge, where just before it was right over the stile and along the path a little way to view Scaleber Force in full spate. "Wow, quite a sight", commented Southey.

As we had alluded to the fields were full of ewes with lambs in 2021. All too far a way for pictures except for this group by the fence on the path to Scaleber Force. Ahh!

At the road again we continued across Scaleber Bridge and shortly where the road swung sharp left kept ahead on Langber Lane.

Grizzly commented, "we have been to Otterburn and we walked the far end of this lane, taking in the summit of Newton Moor Top."

"That's right pal", agreed Tetley. "We started from Long Preston, and believe it or not it was early 2013 when we did the walk."

"Over three years ago!", exclaimed Allen. "How time flies."

Shortly after we started along the lane, it came as some surprise to be passed by a police car, to shortly finding it parked and the policeman walking ahead.

Shaun was scrutinising the map. Then with a mystified expression on his face said, "there are no farms or other habitation off the track, so I wonder where he is going."

We met four ladies walking in the opposite direction, the only other walkers we met all day. Then finally we met the policeman (Sgt. Williams) who had turned back and Dad stopped to chat. He said, "I had never been along here before so was just scouting out the area."

From the fact that the tarmac was still intact in many places, it seem to us that this had once been a road fit for motor vehicles.

Soon after this section, Shaun said, "We need to keep a look out for a path off this track to the right."

It was eagle eyed Grizzly, who called out, "it's here. There is a little path descending the bank."

Taking this we dropped down to walk by the fence and find the signpost for the footpath. "Might have been more helpful if the signpost was actually nearer the lane", commented Little Eric.

Well, by 2021 his wish had been granted!

Beyond a gate Dad forded Book Gill Beck on the stepping stones. "That was a bit easier than crossing the River Calder", laughed Tetley.

"Aye lad. I still have dry feet today."

Here the banks above were massed with primroses on the spring day. "Oh Dad, what a beautiful sight", cried Little Eric.

"We always think of our dear Uncle Brian when we see them", sniffed Allen, wiping a tear from his eye. "How we miss him so so much, Dad."

"More and more every single Dad", replied Dad.

Now the path led us parallel with the beck but climbing high above, to then bend right. We crossed a tiny stream and through a broken wall. On the day with Uncle Eric, we sat here to have our lunch, and Dad took our picture.

The path passed these trees. "A nice shot there", said Grizzly in 2021.

Shortly, at a junction of walls, Shaun instructed, "it is through the gate, then half left across the field."

This took us to a gate in the wall ahead, to then follow a clear path through a field where sheep were grazing.

"Look", called out Southey, "there is two of our favourite Herdwicks amongst the others."

"What no complaints, Allen?", queried Little Eric.

"Well I don't mind sheep pictures if there are Herdwicks."

In 2023, Dad attempted to get a close up of one of the Herdwicks, but being a cold day it was hungry and refused to look up from eating the grass. However this sheep, not Herdwick, was happy to pose.

The picture above now illustrates our route. The clear path led us to the kissing gate where beyond a number of paths join. One comes in through the gate on the left side of the picture. A path goes ahead and then left over the footbridge. None were our route, this being right across the other footbridge, then round and left up the slope to the edge of New Pasture Plantation.

The footbridge crosses Long Preston Beck, shining blue on that spring day.

Through a gate here to then follow the wide track, but leave this almost immediately via a gap stile and cross the field diagonally on clear grassy path to stepped gap stile in the wall. Here descended to next stepped gap stile and then left to similar stile in wall on then left. Then it was diagonally right to another stepped gap stile and ahead to the next. Long Preston was close now.

"Do we go across the field to that stile?", asked Southey.

"No pal", replied Shaun. "We keep left by wall and over that step stile."

This put us on a walled grassy track, that following it right brought us to School Lane, where right took us past Green Gate Lane and to the A65.

Before we returned to the car, Dad stopped to take this picture of what we thought was an old water fountain. It was presented to the town by Thomas Holgate in memory of this father in 1869.

Then strolling up beside, was this pretty green surrounded by houses.

And in 2021 at Little Eric's request past the post office, to take the post box. "An old one dating from the reign of King George V."

On the February day, before entering the car park, we decided to walk up to the top of the bridge over the railway line. "Look", called out Little Eric, "there is a train bound for Leeds in the station."

As Dad got his boots off, Tetley said, "to Elaine's then?"

"Yes lad, and you can all come in too as usual."

"Great", cheered Little Eric.

There was surprise when we arrived, Dad explaining we had been walking. Sat at the table by the kitchen. He had a lovely fruit scone with butter and jam, a piece of chocolate caramel shortbread and pot of tea.

There was chat with everyone especially with Elaine who came and sat at the table. Dad rang Uncle Brian to give time of arrival home. Then a bit later Elaine sat to chat again. So, Dad had to ring Uncle Brian again with a revised home time. Now near closing time, Hannah was sweeping up around Dad!

As we drove home Dad said, "it has been a good day lads, and I really feel better for the walk."

"That's good", replied Allen. "We have enjoyed exploring new ground."

"And rescuing poor little Hunter too", went on Grizzly. "Our good deed for the day."

On that note, Dad was as good as his word. The very next morning he carefully washed him, then he had a last rinse and spin in the washing machine. He admitted to being rather dizzy for a spell afterwards, but said it was worth it, because it then meant he was soon dry and his fur had fluffed up a treat. A very happy new member of our Hug.

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