We were having a quiet afternoon. The cakes and tea had arrived.
"Ooh good", cheered Allen, as he went to get the mugs and plates.
Grizzly said, "Little Eric has made blueberry slice, and I have done chocolate caramel shortbread."
"Lovely", replied Southey. "They are two of my favourites."
Shaun passed round the steaming mugs, while the rest of of dug into the cakes.
"Mmm", said Tetley, "the caramel shortbread is absolutely scrumptious."
"As is the blueberry slice", went on Allen, who was already on his second piece.
"Dad and our pals had a great time in Yorkshire. Higson and his railway bear pals really enjoyed the North Yorkshire Moors Railway."
"He is going back in September", went on Tetley. "Maybe Raithwaite Hall is to become a regular holiday place like Armathwaite Hall. You never know we might get to go along annd have a walk on the moors."
"Is there any prospect of a walk, as this week, since he got back there have been lots of appointments", mused Southey.
Allen grabbed the iPad. "There is a day down to walk with Uncle Eric on Wednesday." Then looking at the weather forecast, "it is to be a sunny day."
"So where to go?" mused Little Eric.
"Well Dad mentioned to Uncle Eric doing the walk that starts on the A6 by Pine Lake", replied Allen. "I know we did it in February, but then we extended it. Just doing it as published would be best from Uncle Eric's point of view. I'll go and see what Dad thinks."
Tetley said, "you had better fill his mug again Shaun. And is there still cake left?"
"Yes pal", replied Little Eric. "We all know that he has hollow legs."
Allen was soon back. "Thanks Shaun", he said accepting the tea. "Dad agrees with our suggestion. We'll have to see if Uncle Eric is in agreement when they speak on the phone."
A beautiful day greeted us as the curtains were thrown back. "It is going to be perfect for the last day of spring, and a nice cooling breeze", commented Tetley.
"It's not far to the start" said Southey. "We are meeting at about 09:15 so we will have to be ready about 08:45.
Dad called out, "right lads time to go."
We dashed out, Gladly saying, "have a good time."
"Thanks, we will", called back Grizzly.
The parking is the layby on A6 just north of junction 35A.
Uncle Eric was already there. We called out, "hi, so good to see you and have your company today."
"Hello lads", he replied.
Soon ready, Dad said to Uncle Eric, "we should walk a few yards south and through the gate...
...that gives access to the path by the Pine Lake resort."
This brought us to the entrance to Pine Lake. "Cross the road, and through the gap opposite and continue on the path between Pine Lake and River Keer.", advised Shaun.
The view opened out on the left to Pine Lake resort.
Grizzly said, "this was originally a gravel pit called Dock Acres. I suppose that some of the gravel extracted was used to build the M6 motorway. When it closed the lodges that now line both sides, were built over time."
To the right runs the River Keer with wide and deep banks.
"We will pass under the M6 via the underpass" said Little Eric.
At times the path was narrow and the verdant vegetation pressed in on either side. Dad, of course. was in shorts.
"Watch out for the nettles", warned Grizzly.
"I will."
He thankfully avoided getting stung.
Finally the path led to the road at High Keer Bridge. "We cross, go a few yards right and then through the awkward gap stile, to walk on by the river on the opposite bank", instructed Southey.
The route was across fields via stiles.
"The hawthorn blossom is beautiful", pointed Allen.
The last section took us under the impressive Capernwray railway viaduct, and up to a stile at the top of the field. The picture below was taken on our walk in February.
Grizzly reminded us, "there is not much actual detail about this, on the Internet. What I can tell you is that it was completed in 1867. There are 10 masonry arches and in all it is 145 yards long. One of the arches spans the River Keer."
"Thank you pal", replied Little Eric. "It is quite magnificent and a testament to Victorian engineering."
"Cross the bridge over the canal and turn left alongside and on under the railway bridge", instructed Southey.
Beyond Tetley pointed, "look there's the old loading crane from the time when the quarries here were operating."
The path led alongside the Capernwray arm of the Lancaster canal that once served the long disused vast quarry, and then climbed above it to a stile on the left into a field.
"Look", whispered Tetley. "There's a squirrel."
"Head down to the bottom right corner", called out Shaun,
There, over the stile, we kept by the left boundary to come onto the road at Borwick.
Look at the field carpeted with buttercups", pointed Little Eric. "It's beautiful."
"Turn left", instructed Shaun.
"There's the tree house", pointed Grizzly. "We have seen it before of course."
"Go right here, over the stile", pointed Southey.
Gently up the hill and down to Borwick Lane, by the church.
Grizzly told us, "this is St Mary's church. It was built in 1894-96 for William Sharp of Linden Hall in memory of his wife who died in 1889. It is built in rubble stone and has as can be seen a red tiled roof. A simple plan consists of a nave with a north porch and chancel with a south vestry. On the west gable is the small bellcote. The west end has been quite recently extended to provide proper disabled access."
"The entrance is through the lychgate", he went on.
Going right we came to the village of Priest Hutton with its pretty green.
We must sit on the seat to have our picture taken", said Tetley.
You will see if you look carefully that Little Eric has his stick. When in the rucksack Dad usually keep is safe in the front pocket of his camera bag. We had walked a quite a way on when he said, "Dad my stick dropped down onto the floor under the seat."
"My fault", replied Dad. "I should have put it safely away first. Not to worry lad, I'll drive here afterwards to retrieve it."
This was done and the stick was quickly found.
"We keep right on the road signed to Burton, and then shortly after the last house go left on surfaced track called Kirkgate Lane", advised Shaun.
This climbed up then down to come to the canal by Tewitfield Methodist Chapel.
Grizzly told us, "the chapel is thought to have originally been an alehouse used by the navvies that built the Lancaster Canal, which opened in 1797, bringing much work to the area. About the same time Methodism became popular. It therefore is assumed that once the navvies left the Methodists took the building over. It opened as a recognized place of worship around 1886. It could have been used as a Wesleyan meeting house some time before that."
Southey instructed, "cross the canal and go right down the track."
"Nice view of the canal", said Allen.
This led to the footbridge over the M6...
...and on the far side another bridge over a stream and then a track to A6070.
"Go left to the roundabout with A6", said Southey.
There it was along the verge to the start.
"That has been a nice walk, and I have enjoyed it", said Uncle Eric.
"We are glad", replied Tetley. "It has been so good to have your company."
Goodbyes were said, and then via Priest Hutton to retrieve Little Eric's stick, there was time got Dad to have lunch at the River Bela Cafe.
Martyn and Sarah were surprised to see Dad. We came in too and sat on the table.
He had scampi, fries and beans. Apple crumble and custard. Tea in his big green pot.
"Excellent", said Dad as we drove home. "That has rounded the walk off nicely!"
