All was well with the world. Shaun, Grizzly and Little Eric had arrived with the cakes and tea.
"I'll get the plates and mugs", volunteered Allen.
"And I'll help pour the tea Shaun", said Southey.
"Thanks pal."
"What are the cakes today?", asked Tetley.
Grizzly responded, "Little Eric, had made scones, and I have done Chorley Cakes."
"There are plain and fruit scones to choose from", added Little Eric. "Butter jam and cream too."
"Lovely", cheered Allen, "you really do spoil us."
So we tucked in.
"The scones are delicious", enthused Southey.
"As are the Chorley Cakes". went on Tetley.
"That was a great walk from Ulverston", said Southey. "So much of interest."
"Is it still Dad's plan to walk on Christmas Day?", asked Grizzly.
"I was going to talk about that", said Shaun. "The forecast has changed and in fact tomorrow, Christmas Eve, is set to be a lovely sunny day, so Dad has decided to take us out then instead. So, we need to come up with and idea, for a route."
"No pressure then", said Allen with a laugh.
Tetley said, "I have and idea, if my memory serves me correctly. There is another walk from Ulverston, this one going in a circle north as far as Broughton Beck. It was a long time ago and only Shaun and I were walking then. So, it will be new to the rest of you."
"Sounds like a plan", agreed Little Eric. "All we need to do is find the instructions."
Quickly Grizzly booted the laptop, and opened the list of walks, which we slowly scanned down.
"There", pointed Shaun. "Number 158."
Allen and Southey carefully lifted the binder down and soon the details were retrieved. "You were right Tetley, it was 2003. It appears we extended the walk, but lost the way. There are no details of that either."
"Well I guess best to just stick to the published route", said Little Eric. "And, we want to ensure that we get back in good time so Dad can take us to Sam & Jane's cafe."
"Quite", agreed Tetley. "They will be pleased to see us all, and will be a bit surprised Dad having seen them briefly yesterday."
Allen drained his mug, then picked up the sheet. "I'll go and see what Dad thinks. Will you fill my mug for when I get back, please."
"Sure pal", said Shaun. "And I'll see there is another Chorley Cake on your plate."
"Thanks", he called out as he trotted out of the door."
Very soon he was back. "Yes", he cheered. "Dad likes the idea, and says it will be good to do this walk again after so long. Also he is fully on board with going to Sam and Jane's."
"Wonderful", cried Little Eric.
"Great", cheered Southey. "Here's to the best Dad in the world."
As we expected we awoke to a day that was to have clear skies for the most part, breezy too, the wind being cold.
"We must be ready early", said Tetley. "Dad wants to be setting off by 09:00 so that we can start walking no later than 10:00."
As we drove along, Southey said, "the instructions say to park at Theatre Street."
"Yes lad", replied Dad, "but for ease I am going to park at Brewery Street, as we did on Tuesday."
Dad was soon ready and with us settled in the rucksack, Shaun said, "we need to walk on along the main road and then turn right up Victoria Road in front of the theatre."
As we turn the corner, Tetley called out, "look there is the Laurel and Hardy statue. I hoped we would see it."
"Yes" agreed Dad, getting the camera out. "It really is brilliant."
"Who were they", asked Southey.
Allen replied, "A famous comedy duo from the times of the silent movies in the early 20th century. Stan Laurel on the left was born in Ulverston, and teamed up with Oliver Hardy."
"It's straight ahead along New Market Street", advised Shaun. "At the end cross Market Street and go through one of Ulverston's alleys.
"These murals are brilliant", pointed Little Eric. "Worth a picture Dad."
"They depict historical events from Ulverston's past", commented Grizzly.
The end of the alley brought us to King Street, where we went right, passing Sam & Jane's Fourpence Cafe.
"We take any of the streets left to get to The Gill and the start of the Cumbria Way", advised Shaun.
"This will do", called out Tetley seeing the sign.
The street led to an open area surrounded by houses, called The Gill. Dad headed across the car park towards the far side, passing this sculpture.
Looking at the panel attached, Grizzly read out -
This sculpture marks the start of the Cumbria Way long distance route from Ulverston to Carlisle.
It represents a compass with a cairn in the centre.
The cairn contains rocks representative of the geology along the route.
The route is shown on the side of the cairn together with Ordnance Survey map references on key points along the route.
The sculpture was made and installed by Chris Brammall in February 2000.
"Hmm", said Allen. "Excellent."
"Yes", agreed Dad as he strode ahead, to the official start of the Cumbria Way.
To the right is a bench. "Oh my", said Little Eric. "Look at the dedication."
"How poignant", said Southey. "And sadly there is still a long way to go in getting through the pandemic."
"I know", agreed Dad. "But lads things will get better and it will eventually be over. We just have to be patient."
With determined steps Dad now strode off. As the track climbed, Shaun said, "we take the left fork."
Shortly then a narrow bridge left over Gill Banks Beck was reached. "The Cumbria Way is over the bridge", called out Little Eric."
"Yes", said Shaun, "but on our walk we keep ahead through the trees beside the beck.
Reaching a brow the track began to descend and exited the woods by a metal kissing gate. A path led on across the muddy field, where this weir made a pretty waterfall.
In a few yards via a kissing gate we came to Old Hall Road. "Turn left", called out Southey, "and then go left down the access to Old Hall Farm."
"I like the sign", pointed Allen.
"Where now?", asked Allen.
Shaun replied, "we rejoin the Cumbria Way here. Go right over the the stile before the buildings, and then along by the beck, and over the stile left."
Shaun then pointed, "we head for that orange marker at the wall corner by the wood."
There the path led on keeping by the wall on the right.
Little Eric peered at the map, "that hill over to the right is called Flan Hill.
"I'm going to call it Quiche Hill", laughed Tetley.
"Or Broccoli and Stilton", suggested Grizzly.
"Maybe Bacon and Cheese", mused Southey.
"Enough", groaned Dad.
Soon we passed this impressive house called Bortree Stile.
Beyond the track led through gates and climbing on we crossed this tiny bridge over the stream, to a stone step stile in the wall.
Rounding a slight rise in the field beyond we could clearly see the stile onto a rising path through bracken. Looking ahead, Southey said, "it's over the stile in wall on the left, then across the field to another stile onto road at High Lath Farm."
"Wow", called out Allen. "What superb views." Pointing back he went on, "there's Morecambe Bay, and the Sir John Barrow Monument on The Hoad."
"There's Helvellyn, Dollywagon Pike and the Fairfield Horseshoe, blanketed with snow", said Tetley. "Breathtaking."
"And that is a quite marvellous view of Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam", called out Grizzly, completing what we could see.
Turning right we began to descend the steep road. Halfway, Tetley called out, "that sign indicates the footpath is through the gate."
"And so does the map", agreed Allen.
"But" said Shaun, "the instructions say to descend on to the house called Windy Ash, and then take the path left, shown on the map as a black dotted line."
Well, we should have listened to Tetley, as arriving at the gate by Windy Ash, there was a sign saying the Cumbria Way was back up the hill.
"Oh dear", said Little Eric, looking back up the steep hill.
"Never mind lad, I'll soon get up to the proper path", replied Dad. "It will be good exercise for the lungs."
So, through the gate and across the field. Then through two more gates, and diagonally right to the far corner. In the next field we headed left towards a wall corner.
"Pretty sure we go left here", laughed Southey, seeing the electricity pole.
"Aye pal", laughed Shaun. "They certainly don't want you to get lost here!"
The stile was tucked round by the wall and then it was down a bank, where Dad used the stepping stones to cross the stream.
"Now we keep ahead to Stony Crag Farm", instructed Southey.
Coming in by a wall Dad then headed to a gate a little left, that gave onto a fenced track. "Hmm", said Grizzly. "There is definitely no way over that fence."
"Ahh", said Shaun, "there must be another gate tucked in the corner that we have missed."
"No problem, lad", replied Dad. "We'll go right over that hurdle and get back on route."
In a few yards, Shaun pointed, "left now through that gate towards the farms Hollowmire (South) and Hollowmire (North)."
Dad strode on, Southey saying, "we should look out for a gate in the hedge on our right and then cross a clapper bridge. Afterwards it is left, onwards in the same direction."
The muddy field brought us to a narrow gate. Beyond we passed in front of Hollowmire Farm (South) and then Hollowmire Farm (North), following the access to the lane called Eller Riggs Brow.
"Turn left", called out Shaun. "We are looking for a footpath to St. John's church."
After a few minutes, Little Eric called out, "there's the signpost."
A clear route across the fields brought us to St John's Church.
Armed with his notes Grizzly said, "this is the Church of St. John The Evangelist that is situated in the small hamlet of Netherhouses, Osmotherley. It was built in 1874 to a design by Paley and Austin. The construction is coursed slate rubble with sandstone ashlar dressings and slate roofs with tile cresting. The plan is a 4-bay nave with lancet windows, and chancel with a round east end. The south vestry has a hipped roof, a 2-light straight-headed window with corbelled lintel and an east entrance up steps. To the north side is a gabled porch of open timber frame on a stone base. Finally there is a slate-hung splayed spirelet above a bell stage with traceried openings, and a cross at the east gable."
"Thank you, pal", said Allen. "Most informative as always."
A short track by the church led to a lane, to go right past this single storey building.
Grizzly further educated us saying, "this building originally dates from 1770 and was built as a school. Later it became a public elementary school finally closing in 1927. Before the church was built, services were held in the school using portable altar rails."
Strolling on we soon came to the B5281. "There's a seat", pointed Allen. "Perfect place to have our picture taken."
Too right, pal", agreed Southey.
"As we snuggled in the rucksack again, Little Eric asked, "where now?"
"Right along the road to find a gated track left", replied Shaun.
Fairly soon, Allen pointed, "this must be it."
Dad tugged at the gate but to no avail. "It is stuck, wedged into part of that tree", said Dad. "Just have to climb over."
This proved to be a bit tricky as the gate was leaning, making it hard for Dad to keep his balance, but as can be seen from this picture he was successful.
The first section of path was rather overgrown and muddy, but then clearer coming to a gate onto the road.
Here Dad met a lady who lives in the adjacent house. She was getting vegetables from here garden. She said, "the farmer does not maintain the path."
Then they talked on about the local area, and walking as she is a member of a walking group. Dad saying he was from Morecambe prompted her to say, "one of our walks was along Morecambe promenade combined with a visit to the Midland Hotel."
The proposed Eden Project for Morecambe was discussed, both her and Dad agreeing what a tremendous boost it will be for Morecambe. After a good ten minutes or so they finally said goodbye.
Southey said, "we go right to the junction and through the gate opposite."
The route climbed the pasture and took us through two more gates and then a stile at a corner. Beyond it was a little left across a rather boggy area, and then a stony area called Stones Wood, to a gate.
"Now head up to pass to the right of Mansriggs Hall Farm", said Shaun.
Reaching the buildings and the gate to the yard, Dad said, "huh, it is locked", said Dad.
"More practice for your climbing skills, then", laughed Tetley.
Now we crossed the access road and passed through a gate and then another into pasture. Shaun said, "go on by a thick hedge and drop down left to a stile."
This Dad did but there was no stile to be seen, so he walked up to the other corner. Peering over the wall, Allen said, "ahh, there's the stile we want."
"Darn" said Dad. "I kept too far left after that second gate."
"So we will have to walk back", said Little Eric, dispiritedly.
"No lad, the wall is a bit ruinous here, so I will be able to climb over."
This done the way was clear over the ladderstile and pass Low Mansriggs Farm.
So onwards over the large field and dropping down to a gate to a narrow road. "Right here", called out Southey.
This we followed on and on, Shaun saying, "our next turn is left along the track to The Falls, a small group of houses."
As we neared the houses, Southey said, "we should go left round the last house."
"Must be through that gate then", pointed Tetley, "although it looks like we are entering their garden."
Shortly the path led to a gate onto a walled track. This was rough and stony, and led on and on through woods to a junction. "Keep ahead", called out Shaun.
Soon we exited the woods and walked a grassy way.
Allen pointed, "those bracken clad slopes over to the left, bathed in sunshine, are called The Alps."
A gate gave access to the ongoing track through woodland, and down to the tiny community of Newland, where the track ended.
"Go right, to the A590", said Southey. "There turn right and in about 100 yards go through the kissing gate onto a rising tarmac path over the shoulder of Hoad Hill."
The view opened out. "that's the Glaxo factory, that we walked past first along the canal then the road on its other side on Tuesday", said Allen. "Morecambe Bay is beyond and the distant square structure on the right is Heysham Nuclear Power Station."
Above us to the right we could see the Sir John Barrow Monument. So onwards passing this huge piece of limestone embedded in the track.
Kindly, a gentleman and his son hid behind, so that Dad could get this shot.
Eventually we reached a road. Here Dad decided to deviate from the published instructions, going left downhill to a junction. There we turned right and right and then soon left to come to the A590, where turning right we soon arrived at the car.
"Thank you, Dad", on behalf of us all", said Tetley. "That was a super walk with some superb views too."
"You're welcome lads, but we are not finished as we have to walk to Sam and Jane's Fourpence Cafe, and you are coming with me, so we can also include the there and back as part of the walk."
They were surprised and pleased to see Dad, and us too. He had lovely turkey and chunky vegetable soup, tea and apple crumble and cream. It was so nice for Dad to see them again after so long and have a chat. The menu is much the same as at Low Newton, but the food was, as Dad remembered, very good and tasty.
"That was a nice way to round off the day", said Little Eric, as Dad drove us home.
