Allen, Southey and Tetley were sitting quietly reading their Lake District and Dalesman magazines.
"Some really good articles in the Dalesman", said Tetley looking up. "I suppose the same can be said about yours, Allen & Southey.
"Yes", replied Southey. "I'll swop with you later once I have finished."
"Or you can have mine, if I finish first", stated Allen.
"Whatever", laughed Tetley.
"Tea", called out Allen, seeing Shaun, Grizzly and Little Eric coming into the room. "I'll get the mugs and plates."
This done, Southey said, "let me help pouring the tea, Shaun."
"Thank you pal."
"We are having a scone day", announced Grizzly. "Little Eric has made cherry and ginger, while I have done sultana."
"There is butter, raspberry jam and clotted cream too", added Little Eric.
"Ooh lovely. You are spoiling us", enthused Allen.
"Delicious", said Shaun.
"Scrumptious", said Southey.
Grizzly then said, "I have news of our next walk at the weekend. Looking at the weather the best day is Sunday, and Dad has decided that we will do the walk along the coast from Glasson Dock, then back across the countryside. The car park is open now as that gentleman we met on Thursday at the cafe, told us. He also mentioned a layby nearer the start, so Dad plans to find this to avoid the crowds that are bound to be there in the village centre."
"While we will no doubt have done the majority before it will be nice to repeat, and I think Southey for you it will be new ground", said Tetley.
"Can't wait", he cheered. "Here's to the best Dad in the world."
We got up early and were eager to be off, and as soon as Dad had loaded his gear, we ran out and settled on the front passenger seat.
The forecast was mostly cloudy and seemed to indicate cool temperatures, so Dad had debated about whether long trousers were needed today. However as there was little wind, he was glad to be in shorts as usual, and even his jumper was stuffed in the rucksack soon after the start.
It was an easy drive through Lancaster then on to Condor Green, and then immediately over the bridge turning right towards Glasson Dock.
"The gentleman mentioned the top road", said Tetley.
"Yes lad, so before the village I plan to take the road left that leads past the school, and think the layby may be there", said Dad.
However there was no sign. "Hmm", mused Shaun. "Let's see along the other road towards the village, over Tithebarn Hill."
This climbed then levelled, and just beyond there was the layby on the left. "Great", said Dad. "And we will know for any future walks."
Soon ready, and us tucked in the rucksack off we went. A couple of motorcyclists had parked and were heating a kettle for tea. Dad had a little chat with them and outlined our walk.
Then striding back along the road we reached the junction.
"Across is Dob Lane, past those huge silos. That is our route at the end. For now we go left along Marsh Lane", instructed Shaun.
"Even from the car we're on the Lancashire Coastal Way that we will follow for all of the outwards route," said Allen. "That post has the motif that indicates it."
"We walked this section in the opposite direction with Uncle Eric in January", commented Tetley." I recall it very wet underfoot. The conditions will be very different today, after the weeks of dry sunny weather."
The first part was tarmac but this ended at the entrance to the caravan park. "We follow that track to pass through those two gates", pointed Shaun.
After the second we were in open pasture that abounded with ewes and their lambs.
"Oh heck", cried Allen, seeing Dad readying the camera. "No sheep picture free story today."
He then proceeded to be rather clicky clicky. "I'm sure there is a bit of Japanese blood in you", laughed Grizzly.
"I hope you are not going to include all three", implored Allen.
"It will be in vain", remarked Southey, with a chuckle.
So readers stand by for sheep and more sheep!
At no time was the path in doubt, as we walked on to shortly come to Janson Pool.
"An easy crossing today with a dry path through the gate, compared to when we came the opposite way with Uncle Eric in January", commented Grizzly.
"Oh yes, I remember", replied Southey. "The water was much higher and the narrow path completely submerged. Dad managed to wade through, and then he held the gate open while Uncle Eric used the bottom rung to avoid the flood."
Striding on the path led to a fenced track to Crook Farm and out onto the road by the shore. We like the sky in this picture.
All the houses and structures that can be seen would soon by passed as we progressed the route.
This first is Crook Cottage. Seeing the stile by the gate there, Tetley said, "that's where we came out on the walk with Uncle Eric."
Spotting a sign Little Eric said, "there's one of the warning notices about the flooding at Janson Pool. Not necessary just now, but there for when the rains come again."
The next building was Lighthouse Cottage.
Grizzly informed us, "the name in no coincidence as this was once the site of Cockersand lighthouse, that with Plover Scar lighthouse, helped ships navigate into the Lune estuary to reach Glasson Dock."
Looking out to sea, Shaun pointed, "then that must be Plover Scar lighthouse."
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"Yes pal. My research has told me that, it consists of a 26ft white conical tower with a black lantern and twin galleries and is built on a rock ledge that is visible at low tide. The light can be seen for six nautical miles the characteristic being a flash of white light every two seconds. It was built in 1847 as one the lower of a pair of leading lights and therefore is called Low Light. The High Light was Cockersand lighthouse that was originally a square wooden tower that was later replaced by a metal framework tower. Both lighthouses were equipped with paraffin lamps mounted in reflectors, that in the early 1950s were replaced by electric. By the end of the decade the lights were converted to full automation and the High Light was deactivated some time after 1985. Prior to automation lighthouse keepers and their families lived in lighthouse cottage. . The keepers maintained both lighthouses, walking across to Plover Scar at low tide."
"Thank you pal", said Southey. "I love learning about things I see on our adventures."
The road ended here and we continued along the narrow trod over the grassy coastline, passing through kissing gates to reach the scant remains of Cockersand Abbey.
"Right school time again", said Grizzly. "This former abbey was founded before 1184 as the Hospital of St Mary on the marsh belonging to Leicester Abbey. In 1190 is was refounded by Theobald Walter, 1st Baron Butler as a Premonstratensian priory. It was subsequently elevated to an abbey in 1192. It also continued as a hospital. The Abbey was originally located in marsh land which was later drained, becoming known as St. Mary's of the Marsh. It was dissolved in 1539 and acquired by a John Kitchen."
Pointing Grizzly then went on, "all that remains intact is the vaulted chapter house which was built in 1230 and used as a family mausoleum by the Daltons of Thurnham Hall during the 18th and 19th centuries. The land was acquired by the Daltons shortly after 1556, when Robert Dalton married Ann Kitchen. The chapter house is a Grade I listed building."
We could clearly see too that there are a few scrappy remains of the church.
"The low remains of that wall, will make a good place for us to sit and have our picture taken", pointed Allen.
So with thanks to Grizzly for educating us, Dad now strode off to rejoin the path.
Look pointed Tetley, "there's the boat heading for Heysham from the Isle of Man. It makes me think of Aunt Tish and Uncle Eddie as they come from the Isle of Man."
We thought it would be the Ben-my-Chree, but on checking the Steam Packet company website found that it in fact the high-speed catamaran car ferry Manannan.
The path soon became narrow on the embankment and fenced to the left bringing us to Bank Houses, where this lovely horse was standing placidly.
Here the path on the embankment ended, and down steps we continued to join the road at Cockerham Sands, passing the buildings of Bank Houses.
Looking at the old barn, Tetley commented, "I can't help wondering if the stones used in the construction originally came from the ruins of Cockersand Abbey."
"I think you may well be right", agreed Grizzly.
At the end of the tarmac, Shaun said, "we go on ahead on that grassy path."
This led along another embankment with a wall to the left on the other side of which was a caravan site. Finally we then arrived at Bank End farm and rounding the buildings, joined a high embankment that ran arrow straight.
It took what seemed forever to reach the road at the far end. Laughing Allen said, "it's like being on one of those moving walkways going in the wrong direction."
Dad paused at the road, while Shaun consulted the map. "Ok", he said, "its left until we get to the corner where we leave it left."
Dad strode off, and as we approached the corner, Little Eric called out, "there's the signpost pointing us left."
This was a rough track, Shaun now saying, "in 100 yards we turn right along a hedged track.
After a stretch this opened out into fields, the narrow path never being in doubt, as it led ahead passing through gates, one with this imploring sign.
"No need of that for us", remarked Southey. "We always follow the country code. If a gate is closed then we make sure we close it after we have passed through. If it is open then we leave it so after passing by."
Buildings can be espied ahead, this being Thursland Hill farm, which we skirted to the right.
Grizzly said, "at the abbey remains I read the information on the notice attached to the door. You will note that Thursland Hill is built up above the surrounding land on a clay mound. This is also true of other farms, Kendal Hill and Norbreck Farm as well as Cockersand Abbey. The reason is that historically this area was undrained marsh, and so the farms etc., needed to be raised to avoid being flooded."
"Thanks again pal for the history lesson", said Tetley. "You always add interest to our walks."
At the end of the grounds, the path swung left to a gate, through which the way was right by a fishing pool, to come to this double stile and footbridge.
Immediately on the far side was a stile to the right. Shaun said, "that is for a cross path that runs between Moss Lane and the A588. Our route is straight on by the hedge."
At the end of the pasture a footbridge took us out on to Moss Lane.
"Cross a few yards right then on in the same direction", called out Shaun.
Keeping by the left boundary, we crossed this by a stile just before the end of the field, to then walk on on the same direction with the silos at Old Glasson Farm in view, these being our objective.
At the reinforced track, Dad turned left, this leading to Dob Lane, where it was right to pass through Old Glasson Farm.
"Those flowers are very colourful", pointed Little Eric.
Just a short way then to the junction, where across it was a short walk up Tithebarn Hill to the car, and this view over the estuary to Heysham Nuclear Power Station. "The hill behind is Black Combe", commented Allen. "We climbed that with Uncle Bob."
"Thank you Dad, for another lovely walk", said Southey. "We really are so fortunate to live with you."
"So what now?", asked Tetley, knowing Dad wanted something to eat.
"I plan to go to the open air cafe in Glasson Dock", he replied.
However there were so many people clustered all around, Dad said, "I am not happy about the social distancing, so I'll give it a miss."
Instead he called at Jo N'Lees takeaway on the parade of local shops and got a breakfast that he had at home with a mug of tea.
