Tetley wandered into the room to find Allen and Southey huddled over the laptop.
"Oh hi pal", said Southey. "Allen and I are looking at the pictures Dad took last week on the walk with Uncle Eric along part of the Cumbria Way."
"He did not take too many, but there are enough to make a story for posterity", went on Allen.
"So, for once we cannot label Dad as Japanese", laughed Tetley. "It also means that it will not take as long to write."
Southey now had the iPad in paw. "There are days down later this week for another walk with Uncle Eric."
"Great", cheered Allen. "It is so nice to be walking regularly with him. And, the weather gods have been with us."
"Yes, its been a rather dry period, but for sure there will be changes once autumn comes, and rain", replied Tetley. "I can think back to years when we had extremely unsettled spells with heavy rain."
"In the south they would welcome that, as there are hosepipe bans", commented Southey.
"Do we need to come up with and idea for a walk. If so I need tea and cake to get my brain into gear", stated Allen.
"Ha ha", laughed Tetley. "No surprise there tea belly and cake stuffer!"
Whether or not, Allen's wishes were answered as if by magic Grizzly, Little Eric and Shaun, appeared at the door.
"Super", cheered Southey as he went to get the plates and mugs. "I'm as much a tea belly and cake stuffer as Allen."
The mugs laid out, Tetley said, "I'll lend a paw Shaun, to fill them up." Adding with a laugh, "we mustn't keep the tea bellies waiting."
Ever practical, Allen asked, "what are the cakes?"
Grizzly said, "Little Eric has made chocolate cherry and coconut slice. My offering is mincemeat slice."
Little Eric added, "has Southey not told you. He has made cherry and ginger scones and there is butter and raspberry jam to go with them."
"Oh pal", said Shaun. "Thank you. You are truly ace at making scones."
So all thought of walking was put aside as we dug in. The coconut slice is absolutely scrumptious", called out Tetley. "It is one of my favourites."
"Love the scones, Southey", enthused Grizzly. "This is my third. Think I must be getting like Allen"
"The good thing is that we all enjoy what you make, and I am loving the mincemeat slice. We never ever take for granted all the effort you and Little Eric put in to bake. We really appreciate it."
"I know pal. Little Eric and I just love baking."
So with our mugs recharged we turned again to the subject of a walk. Tetley said, "I recall Uncle Eric mentioned a walk from Cinderbarrow where the miniature railway is. He has an information leaflet about Holme Mills and Burton in Kendal that are visited on the walk. I have a feeling that is the one we will be doing."
"I better just go and check with Dad, in case we do need to come up with an idea", replied Allen, as he drained his mug.
"OK pal", said Shaun. "I get the idea you want another refill."
"Spot on", he called out as he ran out of the door.
Soon returning, he said, "thanks", as he took the steaming mug from Shaun. "You were right Tetley. And, to help with our story, Uncle Eric has agreed to photocopy the leaflet."
"That's great", cheered Grizzly. "Save me having to take notes."
"Here's to a good day", called out Little Eric, raising his mug in salute.
Even though it was not far to drive to the start, we were up early and made sure to be ready in good time.
The start was at Cinderbarrow car park, by the A6 between Carnforth and Milnthorpe.
As we pulled in Grizzly said, "this is the location of the Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway operated by the Lancaster and Morecambe Model Engineering Society. It is usually operating at weekends."
Uncle Eric had just arrived too there being just one other car parked.
"Hi", Uncle Eric called out Barnaby, as he and Lee went over to see him.
"Hello lads, nice to see you all."
Dad was soon ready so we settled in the rucksack. Barnaby and Lee stayed in the car saying that they would probably have a little walk along the canal later.
Tetley said, "before we get on with the walk it would be nice to have some pictures of the miniature railway."
"Sure lad", replied Dad lining up the camera.
Uncle Eric can be seen talking a picture of the signal box. "Please take one too", called out Southey.
That done Shaun said, "out of the car park we go left and join the Lancaster Canal at Yealand Road Bridge."
Passing under the bridge we strolled north along the towpath. Allen commented, "this is one of the sections of the canal that is cut of by the M6 and has been out of use since the 1940s."
"No wonder the vegetation either side of the towpath is so extensive", said Shaun. "Lovely to see the meadowsweet, willow herb etc."
Looking right to the skyline, Allen pointed, "those trees really stand out. Worth including in the story."
Strolling on and passing under Moss Bridge, Tetley commented. "that is Hilderstone Farm down to to the left. We have walked past that and then we took the bridleway that leads to the A6."
"Oh yes I remember", replied Little Eric. "That day we started the walk in Beetham by the Corn Mill."
Soon we passed this house on the far side.
Grizzly said. "this is the former wharfinger's cottage associated with Burton Wharf. In the heyday of the canal this would have been a scene of bustling activity with barges moored alongside the wharf."
Southey pointed "I suppose that stonework is original and is all that now remains."
Continuing Uncle Eric said, "we will soon cross two of John Rennie's famous 'little aqueduct's' at Burton and New Mill. They are almost impossible to detect from the towpath, but there are steps down to the first."
"Let's go and have a look", enthused Little Eric.
Climbing the steps we continued along the towpath, and after a few minutes, Allen called out, "there's a fine view of Farleton Fell. Take a picture Dad, please."
Then minutes later we saw swans with their cygnets. "Ugly ducklings soon to become beautiful swans like their parents", commented Southey.
Soon the community of Holme Mills came into view down to the left.
"Visiting there is part of the walk", said Uncle Eric.
Looking at the map Shaun said, "we have to find the footpath then cross the fields to get there."
Keeping our eyes peeled it was Tetley who called out, "it's here."
After descending the bank there was just one field to arrive at Holme Mills where there was this lovely view of the mill pond.
"Look", shouted Little Eric. "There's the wall post box. It is very old dating from the reign of Queen Victoria."
"I know", laughed Dad, "Take a picture."
Along the street we entered the buildings of the former mill that is now an industrial estate. "Some new units have been erected but there are still many of the original mill buildings", commented Allen.
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Reading from the leaflet, Grizzly said, A flax spinning industry was set up here by Joseph Waithman and Charles Parker from 1790. In 1818 Waithman became the sole proprietor and by 1839 steam power had been introduced to operate the existing machinery. A second mill was later built by the Waithmans a little further north along the canal near Warehouse Bridge but by the later nineteenth century this appears to have been abandoned. From 1824 onwards large quantities of flax, hemp and linen from Holme Mills were transported south along the canal in purpose built packet-boats belonging to the Lancaster Steam Navigation Company of which Joseph Waithman was a founder. During the mid nineteenth century the mills were at the height of productivity with a work-force of over 500. They came not only from Holme but also from the neighbouring villages of Yealand Conyers, Beetham, Farleton and Preston Patrick. Many of the existing footpaths converging on Holme today are those made by the tramp of worker's feet trudging to and from the mills. In addition to this from around 1840 to 1850 the Waithmans also employed a considerable amount of Irish labour.
In 1854, however, due to an over-ambitious programme of improvement and expansion, the Waithman family faced bankruptcy and during the 1860's were unable to meet the costs of a series of disastrous fires at the mill. This resulted in a brief period of fluctuating ownership, until the property was sold in 1864 to Edward Shepherd for the purposes of jute spinning and the manufacture of coconut matting the work-force by now having dropped to less than 200. Due to further bankruptcy it was sold in 1916 to William Goodacre who continued to operate it until 1963. As we can see it is now an industrial estate with a number of small businesses."
"Thank you pal for a most comprehensive history of the site", said Tetley.
"Another school day", added Shaun.
As we walked back, Southey commented, "these houses would have once been occupied by mill workers."
Looking at the map Uncle Eric said, "rather than return to the canal we could just walk along the road towards Holme and then turn right to the small community of Sheernest, where we would have left the canal."
"OK" said Tetley.
Passing one of the houses Allen called out, "aww, just look at all those animal statues. They are so lovely. Take a picture Dad!"
"Glad you suggested coming this way, Uncle Eric, as otherwise we would not have seen them", said Little Eric.
At Sheernest we crossed the canal and walked the short way to the junction. "There's the post box here", called out Little Eric. "Another old one this dating from the reign of King George V."
He was about to go on, when Dad said, "I know lad, please take a picture."
Here right we crossed the M6 to come to the A6070. "Just a few yards left then cross and through the stile into the parkland of Curwen Woods estate", instructed Shaun.
After crossing the drive we had this view of the house.
Grizzly commented, "we walked through here in the opposite direction in October 2021. I looked up Curwen Woods then. There is very little information about the house other than to say that it was built around 1830 by the Webster's of Kendal. The garden was designed around 1922 by Thomas Mawson, who was also responsible for the gardens at Graythwaite, Langdale Chase, Brockhole, Holker Hall and Holehird."
Tetley pointed, "that seat is where you took our picture last time. Good place to do the same today."
Uncle Eric had walked on while Dad was doing this, and was waiting by the somewhat unusual stile at the far end, out of the park.
The lane beyond led past houses to the road by Oakwood Farm, Dad heading towards the gate by it.
"No", called out Shaun. "The route is the opposite way, along the road below Clawthorpe Fell."
"It is lovely along here with the trees bordering the lane either side", commented Southey.
"We are looking for a signed gate on the right", advised Shaun.
"Here it is" called out Allen.
Beyond we kept by the wall to the right and crossed the pasture to a gateless gap and then bearing slightly right to gate into woods to follow the narrow path below Hutton Roof Nature reserve.
Grizzly commented, "these moss-encrusted boulders we can see were deposited long ago by glaciers."
As we walked on eventually we crossed a farm track the path continuing ahead. "This is Slape Lane", said Tetley looking at the map. "We will follow it all the way to Vicarage Lane at Burton in Kendal."
Reading the leaflet again, Grizzly said, "on the right along here there is a gnarled and ancient lime tree that is believed to be over 1000 years old."
Well there are a number of large trees beside the track, but this, we think? is the said lime tree.
Reaching Vicarage Lane, Shaun said, "turn right and to descend to the A6070 again." There he said, "the route is now across the road and down Tanpits Lane."
"That's right pal", agreed Tetley, "but first we have the interesting exploration of Burton in Kendal."
Uncle Eric did the narration, first telling us, "Burton in Kendal was once the most important staging-post in the old Lancaster to Kendal highway, and during the 17th century, following the granting of its market charter by King Charles II in 1661, its corn market was the biggest in the county, the grain coming from all over Lancashire to be sold to dealers from as far afield as Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh. The mid 18th century was the heyday and many of its historic buildings were erected during this period."
Walking down we started the tour from the Market Square with its 18th century Market Cross.
We walked over to have a closer look, Uncle Eric pointing to the cross base saying, "those are the remains of leg shackles once used to secure prisoners in the stocks."
Pointing to the building to the left of the square, Uncle Eric said, "this was once the Royal Hotel one of three fine old coaching inns. Only the King's Arms remains, and what was the Royal Hotel is being converted into apartments"
"Just beyond is pretty Cocking Yard, the old cottages having undergone considerable restoration over the years", he went on.
Proceeding further along the street, Uncle Eric pointed out Hutton House. "It was built in 1728 by John Hutton, one of Burton's early benefactors. Tradition has it that this house was visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie during the Jacobites' march to Derby in 1745."
Strolling on we passed Burton House with its immaculate circular carriageway.
Coming to the last house on the west side of the road, Uncle Eric told us, "this was once the Green Dragon Inn. At one time here were held the ancient Manor Courts presided over by the Lord on the Manor."
This completed our exploration, Allen saying, "thank you Uncle Eric for imparting all the information. It has been very interesting to learn more about Burton in Kendal."
"You are welcome lads."
Returning to where we had joined the A6070, it was left down Tanpits Lane, following as it bent left to a junction where it was right along Station Lane.
"Look" pointed Grizzly, "the sign still refers to Burton & Holme station. It closed to passengers in 1950 and freight in 1966."
"The circular sign at the top refers to the old county of Westmorland that like Cumberland, disappeared in the reorganisation of the counties in the 1970s being replaced with Cumbria", commented Shaun. "In fact the names are being revived next year as there is a further reorganisation. The new authorities will be Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness."
"What goes around comes around", laughed Tetley.
Crossing the M6 Shaun said, "it's over the stile immediately on the left. We keep by the M6 and through that gate ahead, then on to the next gate."
There he went on, "don't go through the gate rather through the gate right and climb Hanging Hill, where we will get great views from the top."
Grizzly said, "see the ridges on the hillside. They are ancient 'lynchet' formations. These were caused by medieval methods of ploughing whereby the sloping land became gradually heaped up at the lower end of each furrow to form what appears to be a series of shallow terraces."
"We have been this way before", said Southey. "At the top we drop straight down to another stile then it is half left to Moss Bridge...
that we cross to join the towpath, and so walk back to Yealand Road Bridge."
Apart from the statues of sheep we saw in Holme Mills, so far we had a sheep picture free story, much to Allen's satisfaction. However his hopes were dashed, as Dad snapped this.
"Darn", called out Allen. "So near yet so far."
"Never mind pal", said Little Eric, putting a comforting paw on his shoulder.
At Yealand Road Bridge we left the towpath and walked down to the car park. In contrast to when we started, this was now full as the miniature railway was open and there were lots of people with children having rides.
Thank you for suggesting this most interesting walk, Uncle Eric", said Southey. "I am sure I speak for us all in saying we have thoroughly enjoyed it.
"I'm glad" replied Uncle Eric.
As we settled in the car our pal Barnaby piped up. "Lee and I went on the train. It was great."
"Oh pals. So pleased for you", replied Little Eric.
