We were all content having mugs in paw and cakes on our plates.
"The chocolate caramel shortbread is quite scrumptious, Grizzly", said Southey.
"So I see, that's your third piece", he replied.
"He's just keeping up with me", laughed Allen. "We are both truly cake stuffers."
Shaun said, "Little Eric, I love the blueberry slice. It is delicious."
"Thanks pal, you're welcome."
"So do you think Dad will take us walking this week", mused Tetley.
Grizzly had the iPad in paw. "The weather is still set fair, so I am sure he will want to get out.
"So we need an idea", stated Little Eric.
There was some quiet while we thought about this, then Allen said, "Bull Beck is a good start point and not too far to drive, so keeping within the restrictions. I know there will be repeat but there are perhaps some different options."
Grizzly opened the OS maps app and located the start point. He said, "we could walk along the road again to Claughton, then instead of climbing up past the wind farm, we could take the path through Farleton, then return along the main road to Claughton. Then I suggest we go by the river to the start."
"Sounds a great idea. The Farleton bit will be new, and as far as the river path is concerned we have not walked it from Claughton", commented Allen.
"So then, cake stuffer, will you go a see if Dad approves of our idea", said Tetley.
"OK pal, but please fill my mug up again."
"Will do ", called out Shaun.
It was not long before he trotted back into the room. "Thanks", he said accepting the steaming mug. "Dad is happy with the idea. so it's on for Wednesday."
"Super", cheered Southey. "Here's to the best Dad in the world."
13th November 2020
Well, the humans are in lockdown again! So travelling too far for exercise is being discouraged. With a very unsettled weekend in prospect, we took the opportunity to repeat this walk on Friday 13th, not that we are superstitious in anyway. There was a risk of showers, but they missed us. Quite strong wind however that kept conditions cool. Dad was pleased too that the return section by the river was not as wet and boggy as he had feared. He did not take the camera, so could not take the picture of the massive rainbow that arched right across the valley. Little Eric was heard to comment, "it is magnificent." One bonus was that the take-away cafe at Bull Beck was open, so Dad had a nice snack after the walk. A lovely bacon and sausage bun with brown sauce, a slice of lemon Madeira cake and a warming mug of tea. In the meantime we had our picnic with warming mugs of tea too.
18th September 2021
Wanting to take us walking, but not wanting to drive too far to the start, we suggested repeating this adventure. The day was cloudy but warm with little or not wind. The ground was dry after the period of dry weather and the river very low. Nothing other of note to say, but it was nice to be in the fresh air and take our time ambling through the countryside. We made a few stops on convenient seats and thought about our dear Uncle Brian, and how he would have loved to see the beautiful scenery. We had brought a picnic that we had in the car after the walk. Dad went to the take-away cafe. A lovely sausage bacon and egg bun with brown sauce, and a Chorley cake washed down with a mug of tea.
15th March 2022
Dad had had a busy time lately, so while eager to take us on a walk, he did not want to drive to far to the start, so we suggested again repeating this adventure. The day was quite sunny, but there was a cold wind so Dad remarked as we strolled back by the river, "I am glad I opted for my coat and not a jumper." Having seen that the old milestones on the A683 had been repainted we thought they were worth a picture to further enhance our tale, as well as a few other shots.
We were eager to be off, so once Dad had got his gear loaded we quickly dashed out and settled in the car.
Just a few miles to the start, along the Bay Gateway, then the A683 up the Lune valley and through Caton, and in minutes we arrived at the Bull Beck parking area.
Dad was soon ready and about to set off, when a gentleman returned from his walk, and enquired where we were going.
Dad asked where he had been, and he told us, "by the river and across the waterworks bridge, and into Burton Wood. It is a bluebell wood where they come into flower early."
"One for me to think about next week", replied Dad. "Thank you for the idea."
Saying goodbye Dad strode out along the A683 and after a while Southey said, "that tree coming into leaf will make a nice shot."
In March 2022, Tetley pointed, "there is one of the old milestones that have been restored. The stone has been painted and the lettering outlined in black."
"Sign of a bygone age when the traffic would have been passing much slower", mused Allen.
The line of the old railway is close to the road, and soon we came to Lanefoot Crossing. A house now straddles the trackbed. "A railway enthusiast", said Tetley, pointing to the signal box and signal.
As we had established last time there is a lever frame in the box that operates the signal, because Dad has over the many times he has passed here going to Elaine's and elsewhere, seen it in different positions.
The line of the railway continues arrow straight, but in a little way the road bends right before continuing straight once again. Here we could see the line of the trackbed where it passed under a bridge. "It will make a nice picture with the barn in the foreground", said Little Eric.
Now in Claughton, Little Eric in 2022, called out, "look there is the restored milestone for this village. We have walked a mile from the one in Caton."
Further on we passed Claughton Manor Brickworks where the aerial ropeway brings the shale down from the quarry.
The brickworks were closed when the above picture was taken, due to lockdown. Here is the ropeway in operation in 2022.
Beyond, Dad said, "I want to visit the church again, to get a close up of the bells, because one is the oldest in England being dated 1296."
"Great", said Grizzly, "you know I like to visit churches."
So here is St Chad's that is a redundant Anglican parish church.
The original church was built on the site in 1070, and the recorded list of its rectors goes back to 1230. The present church was built on the same site in 1815. It is constructed in sandstone rubble with a slate roof, and incorporates older fabric dating from about 1300 and from 1602. The plan consists of a nave and chancel in one cell, a north aisle, a north vestry, and a north porch. The east window dates probably from about 1300 and has three lights with intersecting tracery and a pointed head.
The bellcote incorporates two bells. We cannot say for definite, but guess the one to the left is the oldest in England dated 1296, the other being dated 1727.
On the wall below is this carved armorial panel containing the name W. Croft and the date 1602.
A gravestone stands on two pedestals. "Good place for our picture?", suggested Tetley.
"Yes", agreed Southey, "we have to appear at least once in the story."
"Right then, get settled lads", said Dad, as he lined up the shot.
Our visit over it was back to the main road then right for a short way to arrive at a crossroads. Here it was right on the familiar track we had walked a number of times, leading to the brickworks quarry and the wind farm.
Suddenly a voice said, "do you have a dog?"
Looking up we saw it was a resident of a house by the track.
He went on, "there is a small dog running loose and I wondered if it was yours."
"No", replied Dad, "I haven't got a dog."
Then the gentleman said, "where are you going. Up to the wind farm?"
"Not today, instead to Farleton."
"Oh the loop", he replied.
This is seems is the local name for the round via Farleton.
So saying goodbye we strolled on, coming to the fork of tracks.
"Today, our way is left", called out Shaun.
At first the track was uphill, but then gently descended to the hamlet of Farleton.
Seeing roads running off, Allen said, "it is bigger than it looks from the road and there are a lot more houses."
Many were modern houses and bungalows, but here are some of traditional stone construction.
Little Eric pointed, "there's the wall postbox. Please can we have a picture for the story?"
"OK lad. You have got a real fascination for them lately."
The road became narrow for a stretch, then arrived at its junction with the main A683. Here there was a seat where we sat for a while in quiet contemplation.
"There are more vehicles on the road than I expected", commented Southey.
We did this again in 2022, and thought about our dear Uncle Brian and how he loved to see the countryside.
"Will you take our picture here please Dad?", asked Allen.
"Of course!"
Adjacent to the seat is the bus stop and shelter. "Look at that stone beside the shelter", pointed Grizzly. "What to you make of it pals."
Tetley was quick to reply. "Well if I did not know better I would say it is an old cross base."
"My thoughts too", agreed Shaun.
Grizzly did some research on our return, which proved our assumption to be correct. He told us, "it dates from Medieval times."
"We should cross the road and go left", instructed Shaun.
There was a pavement that for a little way was sunken below road level.
"There is a loop of footpath just ahead", said Shaun. "It is probably shorter to stay by the road, but it would be good to say we have done it."
"I agree", said Dad, as he turned right along the track. Then after a few hundred yards it was left to return to the road.
Looking down, Southey said, "it's a good job it has been dry, as I can imagine this section is like a quagmire after rain."
No pavement now so Dad just walked the grass verge. "Look" pointed Allen, "there's an example of hedge laying."
"What's that?", asked Southey.
"Well pal", replied Allen. "To prevent a hedge getting too tall and to encourage new growth, some thick branches are nearly cut off so that they can be laid down, then providing a length for new shoots to grow."
"Quite an art", mused Southey.
"Yes pal. Agricultural associations hold hedge laying competitions."
Rounding a corner the road climbed into Claughton, passing The Fenwick restaurant and hotel.
At the far end Dad turned immediately right down Low Lane and past the houses.
Pointing left, Tetley said, "this was the site of Claughton railway station and the house was probably the crossing keepers cottage."
Notice the sign carved into the top of the left gatepost telling people to beware of trains. The line would have run through the garden to the right.
There's a signpost ahead", pointed Southey.
"That's our route over the stile and across to the footbridge", replied Shaun.
Over the bridge we kept by the fence on the right to climb another stile, by which this ewe was standing with her lambs.
Then in the next field the lambs were playing. "Clearly they have not been instructed in social distancing", laughed Grizzly.
We now crossed the large field diagonally left to a stile in the fence and stroll on, now beside the River Lune, where eventually a gap in the trees on the bank allowed Dad to get this shot.
Crossing more fence lines we eventually arrived at the angling association hut, where we sat on the seat facing the river. "How peaceful and tranquil", commented Allen. "Good for the soul."
Looking at the map, Shaun said, "that is Burton Wood opposite, that the gentleman at the car park said has lots of bluebells."
"I intend to take you there lads, over the next couple of weeks to see them", said Dad. "I am sure they are not to be missed."
Then time to walk on, Dad crossed to the river side of the wire fence to get past the herd of cows we had passed earlier but had now grazed their way past, as we had been sitting.
That done Shaun then pointed, "we head for and over that footbridge."
"There are no steps", said Little Eric.
"No lad" replied Dad. "we have to use the protruding stones as if we were climbing a step stile."
Then on by the river. Where it bent away we kept straight ahead to a gate in the fence and join the cycleway...
...and so to the start.
"That was a lovely walk, Thank you Dad as always for taking us out", said Southey, on behalf of us all.
"You're welcome. In these strangest of times, it is great to get out in the fresh air and enjoy the sunny weather. That we can be assured will not last."
