Allen and Tetley were huddled over the laptop, as Southey came into the room.
"What are you looking at pals."
"The pictures Dad took on the Hincaster Trailway walk", replied Allen.
As Southey looked over their shoulders, Tetley said, "there are plenty that will illustrate our adventure very well."
"That and we have the Trailway leaflet with lots of details to add interest too", added Southey.
Shaun Grizzly and Little Eric then arrived. "Ooh tea and cakes", cheered Allen. "I'm gasping for a cuppa."
Tetley let out a bellow of laughter. "You really are a tea belly and cake stuffer, just like Dad."
Meanwhile Southey had got the mugs and plates, and was assisting Shaun in pouring the tea.
"What cake delights are there today?", asked Allen.
"Mincemeat slice from me", said Grizzly.
"Blackberry slice from me", went on Little Eric. "It's an new idea. I hope you like it."
We all tucked in, and after a little while, Allen said, "the blackberry slice is scrumptious."
"So I see", replied Little Eric, "that's your third piece."
"Love the mincemeat slice too", said Southey.
"You're on your third piece too", said Tetley.
"Just keeping up with Allen", he replied. "I have to admit that I am as much a cake stuffer as he is. I too obviously take after Dad."
So all content our thoughts turned to walks. "It is bank holiday this weekend and the weather looks to be settled", said Shaun.
"I am sure Dad will take us out", said Little Eric. "Just a case of where to go."
"Not the Lakes as it will be very busy there", mused Grizzly.
"Let's have a look in the binders, and see if anything seems suitable", suggested Tetley, as he navigated to open the Walks Index sheet.
We scanned down and down, the Grizzly pointed, "how about that one number 136. It starts in Orton. It will not be busy there."
Allen and Southey lifted the binder down carefully then opened it at number 136.
"It has only been walked once back in July 1997", said Shaun. "That was before we went walking, and before most of you were adopted. So, it will all be new to us and Dad will probably forgotten most of the route."
"The walk goes out east then north almost Crosby Ravensworth, to return south by the Lyvennet Beck to start then up over moorland and down to the Orton", said Allen. "Sounds a good one to suggest to Dad. I'll go and ask if you like."
As he went out of the door Southey said, "you had better fill his mug again, Allen is bound to want more tea."
He was quite soon back. "Dad likes the idea. The walk is quite long and will be a good guide to see how his stamina is. We are going on Saturday, as he is meeting Greg and Vicky at the Midland Hotel on Sunday."
"Yippee", cheered Little Eric.
Dad had said he wanted to start walking about 09:00, so it meant setting off from home soon after 08:00.
He packed a picnic for once, but in the event brought it home uneaten. Not something we would do!!
As Dad drove off, Southey asked, "how do we get to the start."
Tetley replied, "north on the M6 to junction 38 at Tebay, then go left for a few miles, Orton being the next village,"
There he found a space to park opposite the Kennedy's chocolate shop. Not only do they sell chocolates but they make them here too, so it was some surprise that Dad did not visit when we got back. He showed great will power!
The day was to be dry with a cool wind especially on the outwards section where Dad was facing into it.
All ready and us tucked in the rucksack, Shaun issued his instructions. "We need to rejoin the main road towards Appleby, and then take the first road right."
This passed the Old Vicarage. "That's a large and impressive house", commented Grizzly. "Harks back to times when there were larger congregations and the church was wealthier."
Within yards Southey said, "we go left at that signpost."
The lane ran beside Chapel Beck, then soon there was a sign pointing left to Broadfell. "That's the way", said Southey.
A narrow path by the beck led beyond a gate into fields, and across the beck...
and on to Broadfell Farm, passing the buildings and on across the field to gate.
"We don't go through, but turn right round the field", said Southey. "As the sign says, we are now on the Coast to Coast path."
We passed this boulder, Allen saying, "there's another glacial erratic of Shap granite left after the ice age. It is recognisable from the pinkish tinge." [does not really show up in the photo, sadly]
At the end we joined the access from the farm. As a matter of explanation for us all, Shaun said, "the detour was necessary for keeping on the right of way."
At the track end, Southey instructed, "it's left along Street Lane and round the sharp corner by Scar Side and then go through the gate on the left" This signpost points the way.
"Whatever is that all about?", wondered Little Eric.
Tetley was reading on in the printed instructions and said, "reference is made to a monument on Beacon Hill, That is the summit we are hoping to visit. It is not far off the path."
"We will definitely have to go and see it", confirmed Dad.
So, across the field and then right down a path between fences and out into another field. Then on and on through more gates and climbing steadily across fields where many sheep were grazing.
"Oh noooo", cried Allen, as a sheep stood and posed for Dad.
"Never mind", comforted Tetley, "hopefully Dad will not take any more."
We paused too, and looked back over our route from Street Lane. Across the field with the trailers, then on the enclosed path and up the fields. "That's the Whinash ridge in the distance. We walked that with Uncle Eric some years ago", said Grizzly. "There was a plan to put wind turbines all along it. Thankfully it was defeated. They would have spoilt the landscape completely."
Looking south Little Eric said, "there's fine view of the northern Howgills. The right two ridges form the Tebaygill Horseshoe, then to the left is the ascent to Rispa Pike. Ahh, happy days."
All the time as we had climbed from Street Lane on the skyline was this four-armed signpost, that we were making for.
"We go left", called out Southey.
A clear tractor track led on, then a waymark directed us half right. "That's not the route", called out Shaun. "The map clearly shows the path we want goes through that fancy gate in the wall." The picture was taken after we had gone through.
Looking left, Little Eric called out, "there's the monument."
A path led left by the wall, then another forked half right to soon reach it, and also summit Beacon Hill on Orton Scar.
"Yippee", cheered Southey. "That's another summit bagged."
Here is the monument that is in the form of a Celtic cross.
It is not ancient, rather having been erected in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee.
Reading the inscription, Tetley said, "it is couched in quite wonderful language."
"We must have our picture taken here, as it is a summit", said Grizzly. "And because, we and you Dad are loyal subjects of our current monarch Queen Elizabeth II."
All done, Shaun said, "we have to return to the gate then follow the clear path left."
Southey was reading the instructions. "They indicate that the path crossing Gaythorne Plain can be intermittent and even none existent."
"Thanks lad, I'll bear that in mind", replied Dad.
However a lot has happened over 20+ years, as there is a clear tractor track all the way. Also the paths are now well waymarked.
Reaching a metalled road the waymark indicated keeping in the same direction. We love the sky in this picture.
"Yes follow the waymark", said Shaun. "The road was the access to a long closed quarry."
The path led on and on across the wide open plain with the vast sky above us. Eventually it led to the main road at the junction with the road from Great Asby, by this impressive clump of trees.
"OK", called out Shaun, "we take the main road climbing to the brow."
"What are these poles by the road?", asked Southey.
"Well lad", replied Tetley. "Being high the road can be subject to severe conditions in the winter and be buried under snow. The poles are to guide the ploughs when they come to clear the snow."
At the brow Shaun pointed to the Byway signpost. "That is our route."
Grizzly stopped Dad's progress by saying, "what's that stone just off to the right?"
"Marking the boundary between two parishes", suggested Allen looking closely.
We are not entirely sure about this. For certain the left picture indicates that the far side is Crosby Ravensworth. However there is no parish with the initials B R.
After a lot of time searching the Internet, Grizzly said, "at last I have found some pictures, but just like the ones Dad took! Actually the B R is B&R. There is no further explanation as to the meaning of the initials, so annoyingly I am stumped. It could be that rather than marking parish boundaries, the stone marks old estate boundaries. The marking that look like and arrow head is a turbary rights mark. This is an ancient legal right to cut turf or peat for fuel on common ground or on another person's ground."
Recrossing the road, Dad strode the clear route of the Byway.
Little Eric pointed, "The distant mountain on the skyline to the left is Blencathra. And the prominent one to the right is Red Pike."
"Well done lad", said Shaun. "your knowledge of the Lakeland Fells has got really good."
The wide grassy path led to Bank Head Farm, where looking down left, Allen called out, "that's Crosby Ravensworth."
Reading the instructions, Southey said, "past the farm we should follow a grassy ride branching left that leads down to a footbridge over Lyvennet Beck."
"Is that it", pointed Tetley.
"Seems to fit", agreed Dad.
However this just paralleled the road, and after dropping came back to it.
"Hmm", said Dad. "The instructions are a bit vague and I am not sure whether the author is referring to Bank Head Farm, or The Bank further on."
We continued along the lane, Shaun pointing, "there's a footbridge and I can see the stile on the far side."
"Ok, let's go through this gate here opposite Bell Foot and drop down.
This was fine, except for the hidden barbed wire topped fence at the bottom of the hill that split the field.
"Oh dear", said Little Eric, exasperatedly.
"Never mind I am sure I can climb the fence it we go to the corner", said Dad.
This done we began to cross the field.
"That's a fine view of Crosby Ravensworth church", said Allen.
Then onwards, quickly to the footbridge over he hurrying Lyvennet Beck, and stile to its left, to gain the route on the far side.
Over the stile, Southey said, "turn left."
The delightful gated and stiled way led to Holme Bridge...
...Gilts Road being gained by this gated footbridge.
Crossing the the bridge we climbed the two stiles to continue in the same direction, now with the beck to our right.
Young heifers were grazing, this one posing for Dad. "Makes a change from sheep", commented Allen.
So now on and on through gates and over stiles following the well waymarked route. At one point we encountered two gates across the wall gap that had been tied together.
"Hmm", mused Dad. "this might prove to be a bit tricky to get over."
Little Eric called out, "Dad, there's a stone step stile to the left."
"Oh yes. However did I not see that", replied Dad.
"Should have gone to Specsavers", laughed Tetley.
Finally we crossed a footbridge and via a gate reached a surfaced track. "It's left uphill", called out Southey.
"Oh dear", said Grizzly. "That looks ever so steep."
It was and Dad made a couple of rest stops on this steep unrelenting climb towards Crosby Lodge Farm.
Just before the buildings, Shaun pointed, "we go over the stile right in the wall."
From here a clearly waymarked route through gates skirted us round the farm, and out to a track. This was followed through more gates to come to a fork.
"The instructions say to go right", advised Shaun.
This was a loop that involved descent and then a similar amount of climb to a gate. "Phew", said Dad, "I really wish we had gone straight on. It would have kept us high up."
Beyond the gate the paths joined again and led on to drop into this grassy gill.
Grizzly pointed, "that conical cairn known as Robin Hood's Grave.
Dad said, "when I was young there was a children's television series 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' starring Richard Greene. It had a very catchy theme tune, as follows -
Robin Hood, Robin Hood riding through the glen
Robin Hood, Robin Hood with his band of men
Feared by the bad, loved by the good
Robin Hood, Robin Hood.
Dad 'sang' it and we had to resist putting our paws in our ears. He was out of tune, of course, and like Uncle Brian used to say, "that is very clever, changing key three times. You have a soul full of music, but a bad way out."
Poor Dad!
"Well then we had better have our picture taken here", stated Tetley.
The path led on through and up out of the gill. "Wow, the heather looks magnificent", enthused Allen.
This climbed to a stile into pasture, where more sheep were grazing. "Oh noooo", shouted Allen, as Dad lined the camera up. "That is definitely the very last sheep picture in this story."
More importantly Grizzly called out, "there's Orton. Not too far to go now."
So a steady descent over a number of pastures, the walls being crossed by stone step stiles and gap stiles.
The route headed inexorably to All Saints church, the last stile being into the churchyard.
Grizzly told us, "the earliest fabric in the church dates from the later part of the 12th century. The tower was built in the early 16th century, and the porch is dated 1607. In 1877–78 the chancel and north aisle were rebuilt by the Lancaster architects Paley and Austin. In 2006–07 the tower was rendered in lime, giving it a white appearance. The church is constructed in stone, with roofs of either lead or slate. Its plan consists of a three-bay nave, north and south aisles, a south porch, an aisleless chancel, and a west tower. This is in three stages and has a castellated parapet. It is a Grade II listed structure."
Exiting the churchyard a short track led to the village.
"That was a super super walk", cheered Southey. "I just hope the distance has not been too much for you Dad."
"Well I am bound to be tired, after all I turn 70 next year. I still think I am only 40, and get frustrated about being tired and my legs aching."
You know what Uncle Brian used to say, said Tetley. "You are not as young as you were, and you should listen to your body."
"I know", replied Dad, "but I never seem to learn."
"So refreshment time?", said Tetley.
"Yes lad, I am going to the Orton Scar Cafe."
Here Dad enjoyed Cumberland sausage with chips and two eggs, then a scone with butter and jam and lots of tea. After he said, "the food was very good and the service was very efficient and friendly from the owner and her young staff. A place to recommend."
During this we had had our lovely picnic with mugs of warming tea. Afterwards, for once, Allen was not hungry!
So then a quick journey home after a truly grand day out.
