Taking another slice of cake, Allen said, "Little Eric, the peach and apricot slice is delicious. If there was a teddy bear Bake-off, I'm sure either you or Grizzly would win."
"Thanks pal. We both love baking. It is very relaxing and calming", Little Eric replied.
Shaun said, "I have been really worried about Dad lately. He has been so tired and very emotional following the anniversary of Uncle Brian's death.
"I know", replied Tetley. "It upsets me to see Dad like this."
"We all miss Uncle Brian, and I get very tearful at times like Dad", said Allen. "But it is without question hardest for Dad."
"I feel guilty", said Southey. "We have been doing lots of walks, and with the other social outings Dad has had, it has just been a bit too much."
"Just as well that Fred and Gladly put their foot down had made him rest as much as possible over the last week or so", went on Grizzly. "We forget he is nearly 70 and we must realise that he cannot do quite a much as he did 10 or more years ago when we were doing the fells and mountains."
He has a busy social week coming up, so no walks in prospect, but I wonder if we dare to ask if he will take us out at the weekend", mused Little Eric.
"Tell you what", said Allen. "I'll just have another mug of tea, then I will go and ask."
"Living up to your tea belly reputation, I see", laughed Shaun, passing him a steaming mug.
This drained off he went. "I'm keeping my paws crossed", said Southey.
It was a while before Allen returned and we we getting worried that something was wrong with Dad. But as we saw the smile on his face, our spirits were lifted.
"Dad says he feels up to going on Sunday. The weather is to be sunny and very still after a chilly start. The reason I have been a while is because we were deciding where to go. He does not want the distance to be too long, so it has been decided to do another walk from the Silverdale and Arnside book. Most of it we have done before, but there will be new ground on the path to Storth."
So where do we start?", asked Southey.
"From Black Dyke Road", replied Allen. "Then to Hazelslack, and on over the fields to Cockshot Lane, and on to Storth then along the coast to Arnside."
"Doesn't matter where we go or how many times we walk the same paths. I'm just so happy that Dad feels up to walking again", cheered Little Eric.
"Here's to the very best Dad in all the world", cried Southey.
25th November 2020
Trying to not travel to far to meet up with Uncle Eric, for walks during the lockdown, Dad had suggested repeating this walk, which he readily agreed to. The day was similar to last time dry with quite a lot of sun and no wind.
However recently we had had quite a lot of rain, so Dad had warned Uncle Eric about the section after the path junction to Carr Bank. It was every bit as boggy as expected, but taking a rather circuitous route they managed to get across. The section on the old trackbed was quite delightful with lovely views across the estuary and a beautiful light reflected across the water. A nice day and great to have Uncle Eric's company.
We awoke to clear skies, but very chilly temperatures. "Autumn is well and truly here", called out Allen.
Dad was soon ready and hearing the hatch on the car slam shut, we dashed out and settled on the front seat.
The drive was so familiar. M6 then A6 to Milnthorpe, turning left towards Arnside. At Sandside Grizzly pointed, "there's the Ship Inn, where Dad goes for lunch on Thursday when he is not visiting Uncle Keith or meeting with Uncle Paul and Aunt Sheila."
"Aye lad. I started going when Uncle Brian was alive. Paul and Teresa always made us welcome. The food is excellent. There was no reason for me to stop going after Uncle Brian died."
Coming to the t-junction under the railway bridge at Arnside, we turned left along Black Dyke Road, to park on the verge at the junction with Briery Bank.
As Dad got his boots on we made to settle in the rucksack. Looking about Little Eric called out, "there's a postbox. Another one I have seen, and it will make a colourful picture to start the story."
"Darn", exclaimed Dad. "I've forgotten the book with the walk details."
"Not a problem", replied Shaun. "We've got the map to read the route off, and most of the paths are familiar anyway."
Southey, who now helps Shaun with directions, said, "there's the signpost pointing our route."
So off Dad strode down the track...
...to stop look and listen, as indicated, and cross the railway. Beyond a narrow path between fences led over Arnside Moss and out into open pasture.
"Yuck that looks very muddy getting to the footbridge", commented Tetley.
A short way on stands a three-armed signpost. "We keep ahead signed Carr Bank Road", instructed Shaun.
As Dad strode on he commented, "I remember many years ago crossing here with my sister Elaine. It was so boggy, we had to make detours to get round the lying water."
"Thankfully there's none today", said Allen, with relief in this voice.
There was no real path, but we soon spotted the stile in the fence, where beyond a path soon led to the stepped gap stile onto Carr Bank Road.
"Straight across", called out Southey, pointing to the gap stile.
A clear path led over the field and climbed to pass a wall corner and through a gate and left to join a track that is the access to some static caravans.
"There's Hazelslack Tower", called out Grizzly. "We have passed this many times over the years. It is a ruinous four story Pele tower that probably dates from the 14th century. It carries Grade II listed status."
The track led to the road, Dad using the adjacent stile as the gate was locked.
"Again straight across", advised Shaun, pointing to the gap stile.
Across the field then and through a wall gap into a pasture where sheep were grazing. "They are totally unconcerned about us and posing just waiting to have their picture taken", said Tetley mischievously, and in the process deliberately winding Allen up.
Dad now went a bit 'Japanese' with the camera. "Oh noooo...", cried Allen. "Please don't put them all in the story."
Well, his pleas fell on deaf ears, as it is Dad's fingers tapping the keys!
At the wall another stepped gap stile took us on to the road again. "Straight across over the stile", called out Southey.
Now on a track, Shaun said, "go left across the grass to the stile in the corner into the huge pastures."
Immediately over Grizzly said, "here's another mystery for our Hug flora and fauna experts Bracken and Moss to solve.
He was of course referring to this pretty purple wild flower nestling near the wall.
We showed them Dad's picture and after a little discussion, Moss said, "we are both certain it is Field Scabious."
"Thank you again pals", said Little Eric. "You are so knowledgeable and never let us down."
Strolled on across the pastures, with the wood on the left, to come to a gate with a stepped gap stile, which as can be seen was blocked by cows.
"They will probably move away, as you climb over", Tetley assured Dad.
Well, they were not for moving, so Dad just squeezed between two of them. "I am glad we are not with Uncle Eric", said Grizzly, "he is not happy being close to cows."
You will see too, the couple with their dog approaching. Dad said, "you could have a problem as you have your dog. Probably better to go round."
"Just what I was thinking", the gentleman replied."
They crossed to the other side and after a gate were able to then climb over the partly fallen wall and then walk on.
"That's what we would have had to do if Uncle Eric had been with us", commented Allen.
At the far end we continued on a stony track through woodland where there were lots of pheasants, mostly young.
As we had been here only about six weeks ago, Dad knew to cross half right to the stile into Longtail Wood, and follow the frequently waymarked path. A wider surfaced track was crossed the narrow path soon leading to the stile onto Cockshot Lane.
"Turn right", called out Shaun.
After a little way, Tetley called out, "a seat. Just the place to sit for our picture."
A lady cyclist passing called out, "hello."
Dad replied,"hi." Then said, "picture time for the bears."
She replied "ahh, that's nice."
The day was quite warm now after the cold start, so the stop provided Dad with the opportunity to stow his coat in the rucksack and continue just in his t-shirt. We now had a comfy cushion to sit in for the rest of the walk! Dad strode off again to the signed path left. Shaun said, "last time we went straight on. Today we take the path left to Storth."
This truly delightful undulating path led through the gorgeous woodland.
We came to a junction. Southey called out, "we go left as indicated by the waymark."
"Thanks lad, I would have missed that otherwise", replied Dad.
So on and on eventually to reach houses at the village of Storth, following the short narrow drive to the road.
"We go right", advised Shaun.
This led past the houses and village shop and post office...
...where Little Eric implored, "please take the postbox, Dad."
Then in a few yards came to the small green and war memorial.
There were seats, so we sat a while in the lovely sunshine. A local lady stopped to chat asking where we were walking and where we came from. This lasted quite a few minutes taking about the joy of the countryside etc., and inevitably about the current situation. She went on her way, while we sat on a little longer.
Ready for the off, Southey said, "follow where the lady went, along Green Lane."
This crossed the deep cutting of the long closed railway line, and wound on down to the main road between Milnthorpe and Arnside.
We paused here to look out over the Kent estuary. "There's Whitbarrow Scar", said Grizzly. "We are looking at the end and it is clear how wide it is, as we experienced on the last walk."
"What a beautiful scene", said Little Eric. "I can see Coniston Old Man and the Langdale Pikes in the distance. How lucky I am to go on all these walks and to have climbed so many of the Lakeland Fells."
Shaun said, "we are starting the last section of the walk now. Go left then through that gate and follow the narrow path by the fence and then up onto the track bed of the old railway line."
"We have been to the other end of this line at Hincaster", said Grizzly. Also we have walked the whole section from where the viaduct used to be over the River Bela to Arnside where it joined the Barrow line."
On the track bed, Grizzly then pointed left. "There is a bridge there that carries the road. Some years ago it was infilled. If you look carefully can just see the stone parapet."
Dad then turned his back to this and we strolled leisurely along the track bed.
This ran for some distance curving gently right alongside the estuary to Arnside.
Suddenly Allen called out, "look there's a train crossing the viaduct. Uncle Brian loved to watch and ride on trains."
Having not seen any walkers up to now, there were quite a few walking here. So on and on to Arnside, having this view of the signal box that stands between the station and the viaduct.
Still on the track bed we passed through a gate to go left before another gate. "The line ran beyond that gate and joined the Barrow line, as you can imagine", said Grizzly.
Left took us onto Arnside station.
Issuing his final instruction today, Southey said, "over the footbridge, down to the road and left along Black Dyke Road to the car."
On the way we passed this tree and noticing the plaque screwed to the trunk, Tetley said,"take a picture Dad."
The tree is 85 years old, the plaque telling us of its significance.
"That was a lovely walk and a beautiful day", said Southey. "Thank you Dad for taking us out."
"You are welcome lads. It has done me good to get out again."
"Refreshment time?", said Tetley.
"Yes lad. I'm going to see Martin and Sarah at the River Bela Cafe in Milnthorpe where I have been a few times now. I'm going to take you in too. You can sit on the table."
"Great", cheered Grizzly.
There was just one table vacant. We were pleased to see that trade was good. Dad had a brie bacon and cranberry pannini, then chocolate cake, and pot of tea of course.
We got noticed by both Martin and Sarah and introduced. We love the attention!
So a very happy gang, Dad then drove home to watch the Russian Grand Prix. Our Porsche bear Martin loves the F1 just like Uncle Brian did. Martin is named after Martin Brundle. He is a former racing driver, who is now a commentator for Sky F1.
