Southey was looking out of the window saying, "August has hardly been very summery, with unsettled days. Not good for the tourists and sun seekers."
"No pal", agreed Tetley, "but Dad will not be complaining as the cool temperatures suit him and he will be hoping that the rumoured heat wave at the end of the month does not happen."
Allen had the iPad in paw. "Dad is at Elaine's on Monday as usual, but Tuesday is free, and the forecast is for a dry day with sun."
"I feel sure that Dad will be happy to take us out, but not to the Lakes as it is so busy there just now", replied Southey. "We need to come up with an idea more locally."
Just then Shaun arrived with Little Eric riding on his back and Grizzly.
"Glancing up Allen cheered, "ooh tea and cakes. Great", as he got the mugs and plates.
"I know", laughed Tetley, "you are hungry and gasping for a cuppa."
Shaun said, "it is Cumbria tea, that Dad bought in Cockermouth. The Ramblers Blend."
"Super", said Tetley. "It is really lovely."
"That it is", said Little Eric. "For us it should be called Ramblears Blend."
"Too right", said Southey. "That's a good one Little Eric."
"As long as Dad does not use it all. It is really for us after all", said Allen, taking a sip. "Mmm delicious."
Grizzly announced, "I have made Chorley Cakes, and from Little Eric there is chocolate cherry & coconut slice."
"Two of our very favourites", called out Allen taking one of each.
"Just look", laughed Shaun, "cake stuffer in action. You are so so like Dad. We love you Allen.
So there was quiet for a while as we enjoyed the delicious cakes and tea.
Tetley then said, "both are lovely pals. Thank you Grizzly and Little Eric as always for the cakes."
Then our thoughts turned back to walks, Southey bringing Shaun, Grizzly and Little Eric up to date with the previous discussions.
So we pondered then Grizzly said, "how about that walk from Crag Foot in the Silverdale area. We tried to do it in November 2019, but had to abandon the second part as the causeway at Leighton Moss was flooded."
"Oh yes I remember", said Tetley. "The water would definitely have been over Dad's boots."
Shaun had got the book from the drawer and said, "here it is. The distance is 7 miles through the lovely countryside. We will have done most of it before on different walks but there may be some new sections."
"I think it is an excellent idea", said Southey. It will also get you past 7000 miles walked, Tetley."
"7000 amazing miles on many many super walks, and I will join Shaun having passed that milestone."
"What a lucky group we are", said Allen. "I'll go and see what Dad thinks. "Please fill my mug up again pal."
Will do", replied Shaun, as Allen trotted out of the door. "That will be his third, no fourth mug of tea."
"Truly the arch tea belly", laughed Tetley.
It was not long before Allen returned. "Thanks pal", he said to Shaun. "Dad likes are idea and the walk is on."
"Great" cheered Little Eric.
It was an easy drive to the start, going to Carnforth then taking the road to Warton, where we turned left towards Silverdale.
The road skirted the bottom of Warton Crag, and at a corner, Southey pointed, "that's the track we take towards Moss House Farm."
"Correct pal", agreed Shaun. "We will have to walk back along the track and road from the car park."
Shortly Tetley said, "here's the rough track left to the RSPB car park."
This pot holed track bounced us down and under the railway bridge, and then left into the car park.
There were a few cars there when we arrived and soon others were parking up too. "They will be bird watchers", commented Grizzly.
As Dad got ready Allen said, "that pot holed puddle strewn track has well and truly mucked up your clean car again!"
"Aye lad but thankfully only the bottom."
Quickly now we got settled in the rucksack and this shouldered Dad strode back along the track to the road...
...turning right to the small group of houses at Crag Foot that is dominated by this chimney.
"The chimney is all that remains of a pumping station for land drainage scheme that started around 1830", said Grizzly, quoting from the instructions. "It also operated a saw mill."
Striding the access to Moss House Farm, Shaun advised, "we soon take the track right, before the farm and then almost immediately left into the wood."
The path meandered through the pretty woodland, and at the far end via a stile out into pasture. "We go diagonally right to a gate at the top", said Southey.
Through this a stony track led to two gates, our route being through the left one.
Here a gentleman was just behind us and Dad held the gate open for him, and on the next section they walked together chatting all the while.
Keeping by the wood, a stile was crossed, then it was diagonally right on a narrow trod, blocked by a herd of cows that we skirted round to the right, and then ahead through trees to this gap stile.
Beyond it was left by the wall on and on to come to the Coach Road. Here we said goodbye to the gentleman who went right to Warton.
"Thank you for your company", said Dad.
"Nice to chat", replied the gentleman.
"Those trees by the road will make a nice shot", suggested Little Eric.
We were on familiar territory, Southey saying, "it's through that gate opposite."
As Dad strode out, Tetley stopped his progress saying, "there's another beautiful tree that will make a nice picture for our story."
At the top beyond a gate, a clear path led past this fine example of a limekiln.
"We have been past this many times on walks", commented Allen. Then looking ahead he groaned, "the chance of a sheep picture free story is gone."
"Aye pal", laughed Grizzly, as Dad snapped this shot.
The path dropped down through a gap passing the entrance to Hyning Scout Wood on the right. "We walked through there on my 16th birthday in 2020", said Grizzly.
Although Dad did not need any direction, Shaun anyway said, "our way is left by that tall wall."
Towards the far end, more sheep were grazing, Southey saying, to wind Allen up, "that group of ewe with here two lambs is a must picture."
"And that lamb over there", pointed Tetley.
"No more", called out Allen. "That is quite enough sheep pictures for this story."
This old wood kissing gate...
...gave access to a path through the wood to a gate left to rejoin the Coach Road.
Dad went right and soon at the corner passed through the gap stile where this signpost pointed our direction to Summerhouse Hill.
As we climbed up Grizzly pointed right, "the remains of that structure is interesting."
"It is the remains of a water catchment. The actual structure where the water was stored is largely gone, but the pipes feeding it can be seen in the back wall."
"Oh I see", said Little Eric. "Thanks for pointing this out pal."
Soon were are at Summerhouse Hill and the curious reinforced circular mound. This time Dad took the picture from a different angle that clearly shows the scant remains of a stone building. "That is what is known locally as the 'Summer House", said Grizzly.
"We have bagged this summit again", said Southey, "Please take our picture Dad."
"Sure lads, get settled."
Settled again in Dad's rucksack, we walked across the field to a stile, Tetley saying, "now for that wonderful panoramic view of Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Hills with Leighton Hall and park nestled below."
"Stunning", breathed Southey. "This is one of the highlights of this walk."
"Super shot too, over Leighton Moss to Grange", pointed Allen.
We could have sat here all day looking at the view, but we were not halfway round, so with it before us, we descended the hill to join the tarmac access to Leighton Hall, and follow this right over the cattle grid.
Striding on towards Leighton Hall Home Farm, we met a gentleman coming out of a gate on the left with his two black Labradors, which Dad fussed. One was called Max, Dad commenting, "he seems very gentle."
"That is until you take your eyes of him, then he is gone."
Chat ensued, and Dad explained, " I tried to do this walk in November 2019, but the causeway was flooded and a gentleman in a landrover said, "it will definitely be over your boots."
"What colour was the landrover?", he asked.
"Red.
"That was my gamekeeper."
Whilst Dad did not, nor did he say, Dad remarked as we walked on, "that was the owner of Leighton Hall, Richard Gillow Reynolds."
"A nice little interlude", said Little Eric.
"What is the distance we have walked so far?", asked Tetley, who had just 3 miles to pass 7000 miles walked
Shaun was eyeing the GPS and as we passed the farm, he replied, "that's it you've reached 7000 miles."
Round a corner we came to Keepers Cottage, Allen saying, "we should sit on the wall for a picture to mark your achievement, pal."
The road led on to Grisedale Farm, there becoming a rough track past this well buttressed barn.
"This was where we had to abandon the route last time, and we went straight ahead", said Southey. "Today we take the right fork to cross the causeway at Leighton Moss Bird Reserve."
It may not look it but there were lots of people here visiting the hides and enjoying watching the birds etc.
At the road Shaun said, "turn left to pass the visitor centre, and on to cross the railway."
Dad stopped here to take a picture of the Silverdale station. Then at the junction we turned right, but Allen called out, "Dad a train has arrived."
"Right lad, I'll go back and get a shot of it leaving the station."
This made us think our our dear Uncle Brian, who loved to ride on trains.
As we approached the station, Little Eric called out, "look a post box. It dates from the reign of King George V. Please take a picture for my collection."
"How can I refuse", replied Dad, hauling the camera out of the bag.
Southey gave the next instruction. "We want the path left across the golf course."
It was busy, so Dad took care to look about to avoid any missiles! Safely at the road on the far side, Shaun said, "turn right then in 50 yards go left on the path signed to the village."
The path was narrow between houses, but almost immediately we were in a tangled rocky wood, Grizzly saying, "those houses could be miles away."
The path meandered and descended via a number to flights of steps...
...to a clearing called Lambert's Meadow that we crossed into more woodland.
"We have never been along here before", said Tetley. "Just shows that there are still areas around here to explore."
Another delightful path led through the woodland on the far side to a track that we took right onto Bottoms Lane.
"We follow the lane to the main road", advised Southey.
"Look another post box", pointed Little Eric. "From the reign of King George V again. Take a picture please Dad."
At the junction Shaun said, "turn right then we want the path to Woodwell."
Keeping our eyes peeled, it was Grizzly who called out, "there's the sign."
"The path is between that gap in the walls", pointed Allen.
"We've been on this path before a few times", said Shaun. "But always coming in the opposite direction."
Initially it led to a stile and right by a field and then left onto the narrow path on Woodwell Cliff, to exit to field. Here we followed the signposted direction, to drop right into the wood again.
Before entering the woodland, we met a family (mum dad and two sons) and unsurprisingly Dad stopped to chat. They were visiting for a few days and enjoying the lovely area.
When Dad said we lived locally, the gentleman asked. "what are the two large square buildings across Morecambe Bay?"
"Heysham Nuclear Power Stations."
Obviously they had discussed them as one son said, "I told you they looked like a power station."
So on along the narrow cliff top path and out to the road. Shaun said "the walk actually includes a diversion down to the pool at Woodwell."
"We have been there many times", replied Grizzly.
"Yes lad, so if it is OK with you all, we'll give it a miss today", said Dad. "Especially as I saw there were a lot of people there."
"Fine with us", said Allen.
Crossing the road we followed the path signed Heald Brow. This was narrow between walls then and out into fields to the narrow rough and steep path that descends Heald Brow down to the marshes and this four-armed signpost.
Shaun said, "our route is straight on along the embankment to Quaker's Stang."
"What is Quaker's Stang?", asked Little Eric.
Silence was the response he got. Then Grizzly said, "I'll see what I can find out when we get home."
After a while the embankment curved left and led to a gate to cross a bridge onto the access lane opposite the car park.
"What a truly lovely walk", said Southey. "One to do again sometime."
"Quite", agree Tetley. "We all love walking this area."
Dad said, "I am never alone on my walks having the you for company Lads. So many memories of great days out, that thanks to your website we can recall anytime."
Looking at the time Allen said, "if we get a move on there is time to get to the River Bela Cafe for a late lunch Dad."
"Yes that is the plan and of course you can come in too."
Dad had the lovely sausage and red onion pannini with fries and a pot of tea. Then a piece of the three layer sponge in different colours with butter icing.
We are not surprised he had the cake, as after all Dad is the original cake stuffer and is who Allen takes after.
He chatted with Martyn and Sarah, who always make him so welcome.
And finally, about Quaker's Stang. Grizzly did research as he promised, and told us, "I have found an article by Simon Williams in The Mourholme Magazine of Local History that solves the mystery. Here is the relevant extract."
'Local historians have disagreed over whether Quaker’s Stang is the name given to a sea defence across the Warton Marsh, or the description of a plot of land, or just a corruption of the name of the waterway draining the moss – Quicksand Pool. Having found an estate plan of 1829 in the County Archives I am now satisfied that it is none of these. It is a bridge.'
"In fact the little bridge we crossed at the end of the embankment to regain the track by the car park."
"Thank you pal", said Little Eric. "You always solve these mysteries."
