It was a pleasant afternoon. All was well as we had steaming mugs of tea in paw, and delicious cake on our plate.
"Mmm", muttered Allen. "This chocolate flapjack is scrumptious, Grizzly."
"You're welcome pal."
It's one of my favourites, after chocolate caramel shortbread."
"Allen, you are so so like Dad", laughed Little Eric. "A real tea belly, and a lover of chocolate."
Meanwhile Shaun was tucking into the cherry and ginger scones that Little Eric had made. "They are delicious too pal."
Southey for once was quiet, and looked rather glum.
"What's wrong?", asked Tetley.
"Nothing."
"There is, I can tell. You are not your usual mischievous self", Tetley replied with a cheeky smile.
"Well it's just that we have not been for a walk for a month and I am missing getting out in the fresh air."
Tetley sighed. "I know pal, but there have been lots of times in the past years when there have been such gaps between walks. Plus Dad has lots of other commitments, and of course Uncle Brian must take priority over everything."
"You're right" agreed Southey. "I am being a bit selfish. I must snap out of it."
Allen then said, "and Dad has had that trouble with his ankle, which thankfully seems to be better, although Uncle Dennis has told him not to do any really rough walks."
Grizzly had got the diary. "This will cheer you up. There is a day down to walk with Uncle Eric next Tuesday and the weather seems to be set fair."
"I'll keep my paws crossed then", said Southey, more cheerfully.
On the Monday evening Dad spoke to Uncle Eric. After some discussion, it was agreed to do a circular walk from Clapham Station. One of the series of walks from the Bentham Line.
When Dad told us, we all cheered. Tetley saying, "this will be yet another new area to explore."
The drive to the start, was ever so familiar to Dad, and to us too, being for the most part the way to Elaine's Tearooms at Feizor. The best tearooms for miles and where Dad and Uncle Brian go most Mondays.
As we crossed the common, beyond Bentham, Dad took the narrow road right, that led to the station.
Uncle Eric had arrived just before us and got out to greet Dad. We called a cheery, "Good morning, nice to see you."
"Hello lads", he replied.
As they got ready, Tetley recalled, "the last time we were here was on that extremely hot day in July 2016. We had walked from Bentham, and were faced with the long walk back."
"Oh yes", said Shaun, "I remember it well. I think both Dad and Uncle Eric would agree that the best course of action that day would have been to take the train to Bentham."
"Right" called out Dad. "I'm ready."
"OK" replied Grizzly, as we all got ourselves settled in his rucksack.
Walking out of the car park, Southey asked, "which way?"
Allen pointed at the road sign. "We go in the direction of Slaidburn, under the railway bridge.
"What does 'Yorks W.R. mean", Southey then asked.
"One for you, Tetley", laughed Little Eric.
"Long before any of us were even thought of, there was a reorganisation to the boundaries in England. However prior to that Yorkshire was divided in to three parts called Ridings. These were East, South and West."
"Ah I see", said Southey. "Thanks."
Shortly the road crossed the River Wenning. Downstream it makes it's way though the villages of Bentham and Wennington. Then on to Hornby, where very soon it joins the River Lune.
"What's that structure we can see behind?", asked Grizzly.
"Clapham Viaduct", replied Uncle Eric. "If we make a short detour along the road to the left, we will get a good view of it."
"Ooh good", said Allen.
This carries the Leeds to Morecambe railway line over the River Wenning.
Returning to the junction, Shaun said, "we cross the road and go over that stile."
Crossed the field to a stile in the fence and then on to a gate at Clapham Caravan Park.
"We go right past the farmhouse and then through a gate to the left of a old barn" instructed Shaun.
Beyond strolled across the next field, to a stone step stile.
"Wow, look at the wildflowers in this pasture", called out Allen.
Strolled on over the brow coming to a metal split gate.
"It's obvious these paths have not been walked for a while, as Dad and Uncle Eric are leaving virgin tracks in the long grasses", commented Little Eric."
"Now its down diagonally left", said Shaun.
This brought us to a metal gate tucked back between the last two buildings to the left at Wenning Side.
"We go left then take the right fork", was Shaun's next instruction.
This took us on to a track that bent right and led on and on with woodland to the left and open fields to the right.
"That is a fine view to Ingleborough", said Grizzly.
"It is", agreed Allen, "But you might have avoided getting the sheep in the picture"
"Ha ha, there goes your sheep picture free story", laughed Southey.
Approaching a cattle grid, Shaun directed, "it's over that stone stile on the left."
Followed across the field to pass right of a barn and then on through a wide hedge gap. On by the stone wall on the left and through a gate, then descending a grassy path to Clapham Wood Hall, passing by the house through two gates.
"What is that wildflower?", asked Southey.
"A wild hyacinth", replied Little Eric.
Going left to a gate brought us to Hollin Lane by its bridge over the Keasden Beck.
"OK", said Shaun. "We go left then soon over a stile to walk on by the beck."
It was heavily wooded here and we were plagued by flies and midges. Dad had been walking just in his t-shirt, but wisely put his jumper on to avoid bites.
So the path led on and on through gates and eventually by a loop in the river. We cut this off but Tetley said, "this is taking us away from the beck, but the map shows we should keep on by it."
So backtracking we soon found the stile over the fence to keep us beside the pretty Keasden Beck...
..and emerge by Turnerford Bridge.
Allen said, "we do not cross the bridge, but keep ahead on that track."
The route then took us over a footbridge...
... and on to climb a wall stile, where one of the through stones had a datum mark.
After a fence stile a series of yellow topped posts guided our route. This initially involved a short steep climb up the bank and then along the top of a steep wooded cliff above the beck.
"At the end of the wood we need to drift left to a stile by a gate", advised Shaun.
Then still following the posts alongside an old boundary ditch, a final stile took us onto the Keasden Road.
Crossed the road and going a few yards left, followed a signed track right by the house and so on to pass Dub Syke and Jack House.
"Now we go on the signed path to the left" said Shaun.
A stile allowed us to climb the wall, then on right to a footbridge and kissing gate. The young cows here were very lively and followed us jumping about. Probably the only excitement they got that day!
Crossed the next field diagonally left to a gate in the bottom to a track. Crossed and on through the opposite gate, and beside the beck to the front of Long Bank Farmhouse.
"What a lovely tree", remarked Grizzly. "Surely worth a picture for our story."
This stands by the access track, and our route was left, taking us to the left of a plantation and to a gate into a field, where sheep were grazing.
"Oh no", said Allen, as he saw Dad line up the camera on this group.
We kept round the boundary and then via a stile onto the road, turning right to pass by Keasden Heights Lodges.
On the right this sign for Watson House made us smile.
"We go left here and though that gate", said Shaun.
Crossed the field to another gate halfway along the fence, and then diagonally right to a gate in the very bottom of the field.
This was guarded by tall nettles! "Good job you are not in shorts, Dad", laughed Tetley.
Beyond the path led up by the fence, to open up a wonderful view of Twistleton Scar, Ingleborough, Crummack & Pen-y-ghent. We could have stood for hours looking at it. No picture we hear you say perhaps. Well the camera would not have done it justice.
Soon now reached the road, where we walked left, passing this old parish boundary stone between Austwick and Clapham.
Onwards then passing the viaduct and to the junction, going right under the railway and to the station car park.
"You just have to take our picture here", said Little Eric.
"Yes", agreed Southey, "we always have to make an appearance in the story."
"That was a lovely walk", said Allen. "Thank you for suggesting it Uncle Eric."
"You are welcome, lads. I have enjoyed it too."
"Refreshment time I guess, now", said Tetley.
"Sure thing lad", Dad replied.
And where else would Dad and Uncle Eric go, but to the best tearoom for mile and miles - Elaine's at Feizor.
Sharon and Sue were surprised, but pleased to see Dad.
He had eggs and beans on toast and Uncle Eric a bacon and cheese bap. Tea to drink.
On the walk, we saw not other person. Bliss!!
