It was Saturday, and all was well with the world, as tea and cakes had arrived.
Little Eric announced, "Grizzly as made chocolate coated flapjack, and I have made blackcurrant slice. They may be still slightly warm as they are not long out of the oven."
"We only came back from Armathwaite Hall yesterday, so it is so good of you both to have made cakes so quickly", said Allen. "We never take it for granted all the baking you do, and both of you are absolutely ace at it."
"So is Southey as far as scones are concerned", replied Grizzly.
"I have done some sultana scones to add to the selection", went on Southey.
"Oh pals you are so so good to us", called out Tetley, giving each a hug.
So with steaming mugs in paw and cakes on our plates, we were all very content.
"I had a chat with Dad earlier, and as the weather is good for tomorrow, he has said we can have a walk. We just have to come up with an idea."
"OK, thinking caps on", said Allen. "Good job I have cake and tea. I makes my brain work better."
"Any excuse", laughed Tetley.
There was quiet for a while, then Tetley suggested, "I know we have done all the summits in Bowland, but there must surely be other areas to explore. Let's see what we can come up with."
"OK", said Little Eric, grabbing the iPad and opening the OS maps app.
"Locate on High Bentham", said Allen. "The road south goes all the way to Slaidburn. Perhaps we can find and area from along there."
"Righty ho", replied Little Eric.
As we followed the road Shaun pointed, "Ah Cross of Greet. I recall that we came down to that point from Raven's Castle, and then made the slog up by the wall to the trig point on White Hill.
"Oh yes that was a really long walk. We had already summited Burn Moor and Catlow Fell", said Tetley. "There was a long descent from White Hill and we ended up passing through Thrushgill to our start point. About 14 miles in all."
"And", went on Grizzly. "The path went through the garden of a house at Thrushgill. The owners were sitting outside have tea, and they invited Dad to join them. It was lovely and gave Dad a rest for the final push to the end. So very kind and thoughtful."
"We better not suggest a walk of that length to Dad for tomorrow", warned Allen, as our eyes continued to follow the road.
Then Southey pointed, "look there is parking at Cross of Greet Bridge, and a footpath heads east from there. Let's see what we can plan."
"That path actually leads all the way to Bowland Knotts on the Keasden road", indicated Shaun. "But at Pike Side, there is a path heading south. Then we could go right off that down to Parks Clough and on down to the road again."
"So far so good", called out Little Eric with paws crossed.
"The best way back then is the path that leads past Lamb Hill Farm and to the road for a short walk to the start", finished off Tetley.
"Great", cheered Allen, and draining his mug picked up the iPad. "I'll got and see what Dad thinks. I feel sure he will be agreeable as it is new ground for us all."
"Thanks pal", said Shaun. "We'll refill your mug tea belly."
It was not long before Allen returned, and the wide smile on his face told us he had been right. "Dad likes the idea."
"Just great", cheered Tetley. "Oh and pals on behalf of the rest of us the cakes and scones were scrumptious."
"Too true", said Allen, taking another scone.
"That's your fourth", said Little Eric. "And you have had a couple of slices of Grizzly and my offering."
"Just shows how delicious they all are", he laughed in reply.
"And, said Shaun, "after all, he is the arch cake stuffer."
Dad had said we were setting off around 10:00, so we made sure to be ready in good time, and once he had his gear loaded, we dashed out and settled in the car, calling "goodbye" to our Hug pals.
"Have a good time", said Gladly.
"And make sure Dad takes care", added Craig.
The first part of the journey was the route Dad takes every Monday when he goes to the best tearooms in Yorkshire, Elaine's at Feizor.
Thinking about this, Southey said, "I guess that is where we will be going after the walk."
"Oh yes, where else but Elaine's", agreed Dad.
At the top of the main street in High Bentham, we turned right down past the station and up Thickrash Brow and out into the country.
In a few minutes, Allen called out, "look there's the Great Stone of Fourstones. We visited that on a walk with Uncle Eric."
"Indeed", agreed Tetley. That is in 2005."
"Heck, I did not think is was quite so long ago", said Shaun.
"Dad took a picture and of us sitting on the Stone", said Grizzly. "It would be nice to include them in the story from today. Brings back nice memories."
So here is the Great Stone of Fourstones...
...and here is Shaun, Tetley, Allen and Grizzly.
Dad continued on Shaun remarking, "I do not think we have ever been on this road before."
Bearing in mind what Dad was to face, we reckon if he had he might a vetoed the walk. The road heads due south climbing steadily over Lythe Fell. It is very narrow and winding with long vertical drops to the right on some sections. But we needn't have worried as Dad is a good driver and took it steady on the blind bends. We dropped steeply down, Tetley saying, "there is the remains of the Cross of Greet." The picture was taken on a walk on 25th May 2015. (Ed)
The road climbed again before dropping down below Grey Crag and Catlow Hill to the start at the small rough parking by Cross of Greet Bridge.
As can be seen from the above picture, the day was to be dry with lots of bright sunshine and light but cold wind.
As Dad got ready we looked about. Allen said, "looking back in the direction we had come, that's Catlow Fell. That was one of the Bowland Fells we summited. An unmarked and totally unremarkable top."
"Looking across the road at the terrain, Southey said, "that's the route but there is no sign of a path."
"Well never mind, I am well used to that", replied Dad, as he headed across the road onto the rough ground by the River Hodder.
Soon we got to a very boggy section. "Oh dear", said Little Eric worriedly.
Then Shaun called out, "look Dad, the path is over there a little way to the left."
"Right lad, thanks. I'll head over."
A narrow trod emerged, this becoming more of a cart track, that was still rough and boggy in places.
Passing sheepfolds and through a stile in a wall, Tetley stopped our progress, by saying, "those trees are Catlow Plantation, and will perhaps make a nice shot with Catlow Fell behind."
Here the path looped round the river then drifted away to come to the ford across Kearsden Holes.
"Oh dear" said Grizzly, "I well remember you getting very wet feet crossing the stepping stones on the River Condor in January last year."
"Hmm, quite", agreed Dad.
We cast a bit upstream but there was clearly no way to cross safely without the water coming over his boots. "Well the sensible thing lads is for me to take my boots and socks off and wade over bare foot."
This was successfully accomplished, with only a wet bum from having to sit on the wet grass, to take off and put on his boots.
"You better take a picture of the stream", said Little Eric, after Dad had got his boots on again.
Readers may think that it was unnecessary for Dad take his boots off, but as the saying goes 'still waters run deep'.
All set for the off again, Shaun said, "the route is through the kissing gate."
The track climbing steadily, meandered around to a gate above Catlow Farm.
"We cross the pasture diagonally left to the top corner", advised Shaun, looking up from the map.
Sheep were grazing here, and this group kindly posed for Dad.
"Darn", sighed Allen. "There goes the sheep picture free story yet again."
Through the gate at the top, the path kept ahead, crossing two plank bridges...
...and passing this large barn.
Pointing over the barn to the far side of the valley, Tetley said, "that's Lamb Hill Farm. Our return route will be past that."
The path, never in doubt led on by a small stream, and after a while crossing it.
We could see ahead a gate on the skyline. "That's where the path continues through the gate towards Bowland Knotts. We need to find the path junction before that and go right." stated Shaun.
We kept our eyes peeled and it was eagle eyed Grizzly, who called out, "here it is. Clearer than I expected."
Shaun checked the GPS, saying, "yes you are right. It matches the coordinates I had worked out."
We were now at the highest point of the walk, and the grassy cart track led downhill.
"The distant stretch of water is Stocks Reservoir that we walked round with Uncle Eric", commented Southey.
We came to a surfaced track, Shaun saying we go right. It leads down to Parks Clough."
"Nice to have some easier surface to walk along after the rough grassy paths", remarked Dad.
The track ended at a junction, where Shaun said , "turn right and descend Parks Clough, joining the tarmac access to Catlow Farm."
This was by a building called Low Laithe. Mostly timber construction, apart from the tall brick rendered chimney at the side.
"Look" called out Little Eric. "A waymark! The first we have seen all day."
Very soon we crossed Lock Bridge...
...below which flows the River Hodder, seen here looking upstream.
Onwards the access road took us past a house called Kenibus, to soon then reach the main road.
"Where now?", asked Little Eric.
Shaun replied, "Turn left then soon right over the signposted stile."
Here we crossed the field diagonally right, to a gate then on up by the fence towards Lamb Hill Farm.
"The sun on the fells across the valley is lovely and will make a nice picture Dad", suggested Grizzly.
"I'll try lad, but they do not always come out as natural as seeing the view with the naked eye."
At the farm the route was left to wind our way through the buildings to a gate leading onto the track behind.
Dad opened the gate, then there was a bit of a wait while he fiddled about. "What's the problem?", said Southey.
"It is that from this side I just cannot secure the fastening! So, the only solution is to go back through, secure the gate then climb over."
"I wonder if other walkers encounter the same difficulty", mused Tetley.
The track led right to cross fields, in one of which was a large flat rock. "Good place to sit for our picture", said Little Eric.
"Quite", agreed Allen.
With us settled in the rucksack again, we drifted half right through a gateway and then skirted the edge of a plantation. It was rather boggy ground and seeing a gate we headed down to that and onto the road. As we walked along Shaun pointed, "that's actually where the footpath comes on over the stile."
Grizzly said, "coming out via the gate though saved Dad some walking over more boggy ground."
The road descended with trees either side.
Before doing so, we paused to look to the road we had come along this morning.
.At the bottom of the hill the road rounded a corner and crossing the bridge we were at the car.
"What a super walk", said Tetley.
"Aye lad, but I am a bit tired now, although it has been good to walk over the rough ground. Good for my fitness. And, thank you lads for devising the walk in and area we have not walked before."
"Our pleasure", replied Allen.
As Dad got changed, we looked over the wall at the rear of the car park. Southey called out, "Dad this will make a nice picture of the River Hodder."
The road was quite busy now, so Dad said, "I am a little wary of going back to Bentham with the steep drops, so I intend to drive the rest of the route to Slaidburn and then on to Elaine's.
"Can we come in too?", asked Tetley.
"Of course", replied Dad.
Sharon was on and Scarlett too and they both made a fuss. So lovely to see them. Sharon said the tearooms had been very busy. Dad had haddock with chips and mushy peas, then blackcurrant crumble and custard and tea.
Well he deserved it after all the effort he had put in today.
"A grand day out", cheered Grizzly "Thank you Dad".
