"Thanks pal", said Allen and Southey, accepting their refilled mugs from Shaun.
"You are each on your third, is it a competition to see who is the biggest tea belly", laughed Tetley.
Southey replied, "Allen is the original, but I seem to take after Dad too, and love my mugs of tea."
"So there is a pair of us now", said Allen with a chuckle.
Shaun said, "the chocolate coconut slice is absolutely delicious Little Eric. Thanks as always for making the cakes."
"And you Grizzly", went on Tetley. "You make the very best Chorley Cakes. The are irresistible."
"We can see", laughed Little Eric. Good job we made extra."
Southey looked out of the window, as another heavy shower beat against the glass. "We said that rain was needed to fill the reservoirs, and we have got it in spades these last few days. Tomorrow is forecast for even heavier rain. But looking at the iPad on the Met Office, Wednesday is set to be a lovely sunny calm and clear day."
"If that's the case I am sure Dad will want to take us for a walk", replied Grizzly. "So we need to come up with an idea."
Shaun said, "I have been giving it some thought. The last walk with Uncle Eric was on new paths, so I have been looking to see if there are more to explore that we have not walked before. I have been inspired too by Dad's visit to see his former work colleague Tim and his wife Clare. There is a bridleway that runs along near their garden that we have definitely not walked before."
"I'll open the OS maps and so you can show us the idea", said Southey picking up the iPad.
We gathered round while Shaun adjusted the screen to the proposed area. We start from Saltermire Bridge on the canal. There is an area beside where we can park. Then we walk to Coat Green and take the path to Dalton Road. Then walk through Burton in Kendal to and along Vicarage Lane."
"Right I see", said Little Eric.
Shaun went on, "then we take the bridleway Slape Lane that runs close to Tim and Clare's house. The second path left off here takes us to Clawthorpe, from where we walk through Curwen Woods. Then join the towpath and walk beside the canal to the start."
"Sounds great", agreed Southey. "I am sure Dad will agree."
Allen looked closely again and traced the route and draining his mug said, "right I have it in my mind, I'll go and ask Dad."
Soon back he called out, "he thinks it is great idea and is pleased we will explore some more new paths."
"Super" cheered Little Eric. "Roll on Wednesday."
As predicted the weather could not have been more of a contrast to the torrential rains yesterday. Blue skies greeted us as we woke up and this was largely the case on the whole walk. Light winds but cool, so Dad walked in long trousers. Visibility was excellent so the views were super.
We were eager to be off so made sure to be ready and calling goodbyes to our pals, dashed out to the car.
"Have a good time", called out Figaro. "Tell Dad to take care."
"We will", assured Tetley.
"To get to the start, we headed north on the A6 towards Milnthorpe, turning right onto a narrow road by a bend, Dad taking care to ensure the road was clear.
Shaun said, "this leads to the road by where the miniature railway is at Cinderbarrow. We need to take the road right towards the farm before."
This was indeed very narrow and approaching the first corner, Grizzly said, "looks like we are going into the farmyard."
The road swung right past the farm. It was narrow between tall hedges, with no passing places so we kept our paws crossed not to meet another vehicle. We didn't and as we came by the motorway, Shaun called out, "cross the M6 then immediately right is the parking area."
As we pulled in Little Eric called out, "the sign says no entry, authorised vehicles only."
Dad parked and we got out, and looked about, Allen said, "I cannot see the point of the signs as the area is a cul-de-sac and fenced on the motorway sides, and the only other access out is the small gate to the canal towpath."
"Well whatever I am parking here", said Dad as he got ready.
Meanwhile we got settled in his rucksack, Shaun saying, "we go back to the entrance and it's right over Saltermire Bridge.
As we made to cross, a gentleman was coming along with his dog and heading down to the canal, so Dad asked about the signs.
He said, "people park here all the time. There is no need for the signs now. Once this was the access to a motorway works unit, but it is long gone, and the area has been fenced off."
"Thanks for that", said Dad.
So all much happier we strolled along the narrow lane.
"How about taking that tree", suggested Southey. "A nice shot I think."
"This part we have done before", said Tetley. "It will bring us to the A6070. We cross and keep ahead on the lane towards Coat Green.
Along there Grizzly pointed, "there's that nice garden where White Beck has been nicely incorporated."
Some workmen were repairing the road, and waiting for the tarmac to arrive, Dad had a little chat to them. We were not surprised at all!
Nearing Coat Green, Shaun pointed, "go left as indicated by that signpost."
The grassy hedged track led to a gate into Dalton Park and the path continued beside the wood.
Passing a tree, Allen pointed, "that large branch looks a bit like a giant sloth or some such animal.
"Glad it is only a branch. I would not fancy passing if it was really alive", said Little Eric.
"We need to head to that waymarked gate", pointed Southey.
There as we strolled on Shaun said, "now drop left to the stile in the fence."
It now across the field Dad saying, "I'll head to the gate in the right corner to get to Dalton Lane."
"Hmm", said Tetley, "I'm surprised there is not signpost."
This was because as we walked left on the road we came to the point where we should have emerged. "It does not matter, but we should really have gone to the left corner of the field", commented Shaun.
On the repeat with Uncle Eric, we kept left to, via a gate, access a hedged track that led to a gap stile onto Dalton Lane, by the signpost.
At the junction it was right to walk through Burton in Kendal.
"There is the market cross", pointed Allen. "There is an information plaque about it."
Grizzly read it out. "Burton in Kendal in Westmorland was made a market town by a charter from King Charles II in 1661. This market cross dating from the 18th century was built by public subscription. The east side of the square was conveyed to the parish council in 1935."
There are many old buildings along the main street like these.
"There's a plaque on that lamppost", pointed Shaun. "What's it about?"
Again Grizzly obliged. "It commemorates the marriage of H. R. H. Albert Edward Prince of Wales on the 10th day of March 1863. He was to become King Edward VII on the death of Queen Victoria."
Strolling on we soon passed the village stores. "Look the post box", called out Little Eric. "It dates from the reign of King George VI. Will you please take a picture for my collection?"
Soon we reached Vicarage Lane, that we walked along. Shortly Tetley pointed, "ahh just look at those statues of sheep lambs and dog. Must be worth a shot."
"I hope that is the only sheep pictures we get today", said Allen firmly.
"Soon it is left along Slape Lane", advised Shaun.
Shortly Little Eric said, "here it is", seeing the signpost.
Immediately Tetley said, "that's a fine view to Farleton Knott.
Just a couple of minutes later, Grizzly said, "super view to the Lakeland Fells. Walna Scar ridge on the far left. Then Brown Pike, Buck Pike & Dow Crag, and right of the dip Coniston Old Man and Brim Fell with Wetherlam at the right end. Then finally Crinkle Crags and Bowfell."
"Magnificent", breathed Little Eric."
For a lot of the way, the hedges were high along Slape Lane and it was rather narrow, as this picture shows.
Shaun was looking at the map. "it's the second waymarked path we want."
"This must be it", said Tetley. "Through the gate."
"The signs indicate sheep are grazing and there is a bull in the field", said Allen. "I hope there are neither, especially the first."
After the narrow Slape Lane, Little Eric said, "nice to have a wider track."
Beside is this young plantation of different species of deciduous trees.
At end Grizzly pointed, "there's a sign on the gate about the plantation. It is the George Kez Drake plantation planted in 2018. The land is part of the Curwen Woods Estate."
The path doglegged, Southey calling out, "look there's an old limekiln."
Soon we passed Oakwood Farm. "This is part of Curwen Woods Estate and let as holiday cottages", advised Grizzly.
A small green gate in the wall took us onto the road.
"Go a few yards right, then left onto Pipers Lane", instructed Shaun.
This led past houses, bending left to end at this gate and stepped gap stile into Curwen Woods Park...
...and follow the wide green track.
"Wow", said Southey. "It is just beautiful through here. Maybe we could suggest this walk to Uncle Eric."
We did and happily repeated the walk with Uncle Eric for company. He thoroughly enjoyed it and agreed that the countryside we walked through was beautiful. Quite a lot of the paths were new to him.
As we strolled on Grizzly pointed, "is that a seat. If so good place to have our picture taken."
"Are those tennis courts", pointed Allen. "Seems rather odd in this park."
Indeed they were and a sign indicated they were for hire at £5 per hour. There situation was shortly explained when the large house of Curwen Woods estate came into view up to the right.
Grizzly said, "there is no real information about the house itself, other than to say that is was built by Webster's of Kendal about 1830. The estate includes the extensive parkland that we have walked through, three holiday cottages, a working farm and the tennis courts we saw. There are free roaming peacocks and geese. The gardens were designed by Thomas Mawson around 1922, and are available for weddings. Thomas Mawson was also responsible for the gardens at Graythwaite, Langdale Chase, Brockhole, Holker Hall and Holehird."
The wide grassy path divided, Shaun saying, "take the left fork, and cross the access road."
Approaching the boundary with the road, Southey called out, "there's a waymark on the fence."
This brought us to a gated stile on to the A6070. "Go left a few yards then right at the junction", Southey now advised.
Here the sign told us we were entering...
"We've seen the similar sign at the other end of the village", said Tetley. "That was on a walk from Beetham."
Looking up from the map, Shaun now said, "cross the M6, then round the corner go left along Sheernest Lane, and then join the canal towpath by Sheernest Bridge."
Now it was the case of walking the canal towpath to the start. This is another section that is cut off by the motorway, so although watered, it is very overgrown and not used by boats.
We passed a few swans, Dad snapping this shot.
It was lovely along the towpath, Allen saying, "we are blessed with super views today, So bright and clear. Such a contrast to the rain yesterday."
After a little while, Little Eric called out, "that must be the Fairfield Horseshoe with Red Screes to the right. On the far side we can clearly see Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Rydal Fell and Great Rigg rising to Fairfield at the back. It is harder to make out the summits on the near side but they were from the left, Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag and Hart Crag. What a wonderful day that was as I ticked off seven Wainwrights and eight Birkett summits. Thank you Dad for taking me. I know it was hard going on the second half but as always you did not let us down."
"Aye lad it was a good day, and I don't have to do it ever again."
We always learn things when we are out with Uncle Eric, and that day was no exception. The the main West Coast railway line runs quite close the canal. Uncle Eric stopped and said, "there was once a station called Burton & Holme serving the two villages." He then pointed, "It was across there, and that building closest to the track could well be the old station house."
"Every day is a school day", said Southey. "Thank you Uncle Eric."
The next day Dad said, "on my way back from Milnthorpe, I am going to find the site of the station and take some pictures to include in the story."
So here is the former house of Burton & Holme station. The original construction is clearly seen. The over porch and extension with the tall chimney are more recent additions.
Grizzly told us, "according to Wikipedia, the station opened on 22nd September 1846. It was closed to passengers on 25th March 1950 and to goods on 28th March 1966."
This separate building faced onto the platform, and from photographs, on that side had a large sliding door. It looks too that originally there may well have been a similar door on this side, as there appears to still be the remains of the runner, at the top of the corrugated roofed porch. This was the goods depot.
As we neared Hilderstone, Tetley pointed left. "That's Hanging Hill which we climbed on that walk from Yealand Redmayne. Very modest in comparison to the epic round of Fairfield."
Shortly we passed one of the milestones beside the towpath. Grizzly said, "it indicates it's 13 miles to Kendal, and 14 miles to Lancaster."
After a further 15 minutes we reached the end of the canal at the point it is cut by the M6 motorway, Dad taking this looking back the way we had come.
At the road we walked left by the motorway, then crossed it to the start.
"That was a super walk lads", said Dad. "Thank you for devising it."
"It is Shaun that deserves the credit", said Allen. "Our trusty guide. What would we do without him."
Looking at the time, Tetley said, "I guess you are going to see Martyn and Sarah and have lunch at the River Bela Cafe."
"Yes lad", laughed Dad. "You know me so well."
"That's fine", cheered Little Eric. "We get to go in too."
He had Cumberland sausage egg and chips, a new a delicious addition to the menu. Then cake of course and tea to drink. And, as always Dad had a nice chat with them too.
