Tetley was looking at the iPad. "Good news", he called out. "There's a day to walk with Uncle Eric, and the weather for once will be set fair."
"That is wonderful", agreed Allen. "It is months since we last walked with him, the weather having put paid to previous dates."
"Calls for a celebration", said Southey. "Tea and cakes."
"Oh yes", agreed Allen. "I'm...
"Gasping for a cuppa", finished Tetley with a laugh.
And it was then that Shaun, Little Eric and Grizzly arrived.
The mugs were soon charged and in paw.
Grizzly said, "chocolate caramel shortbread from Little Eric, and I have done peach and apricot slice."
"Two of our most favourites", said Allen, quickly grabbing one of each, and holding his mug out for a refill.
"You truly are the arch cake stuffer and tea belly", said Grizzly. "Just like Dad."
Tetley told them about walking with Uncle Eric. "Super", said Little Eric.
"I think we are likely to be doing the Carnforth Iron Works Trail that includes walking out to the slag bank", said Shaun.
"Roll on Thursday", cheered Allen. "I will pass the milestone of 6000 miles and join you Shaun, and Tetley and Grizzly."
"Good for you pal", said Southey.
Up early we made sure to be ready, when Dad had completed loading his gear.
"Where are we starting from?", asked Little Eric.
"Normally we would have parked at Carnforth station, but payment is only accepted via an app, and neither Uncle Eric nor I have it", replied Dad. "So we are parking in the layby on the A6 between Bolton-le-Sands and Carnforth where the Butty Bar is."
Uncle Eric was there first and our pals Barnaby and Lee went to say hello.
"Nice to see you two and you lads", he said.
As they got ready, we looked out towards Morecambe Bay. "The sun is catching the slag bank that we will walk out to", pointed Tetley.
Looking to the distance, Allen said, "it is clear over Dow Crag, but the cloud is down on Coniston Old Man."
We joined the towpath passing under bridge 126...
...to continue towards Carnforth.
Grizzly commented, "at the next bridge if we cross and walk back a little way, we can show Uncle Eric the other L & NW Rly Co Boundary Post we have discovered."
Uncle Eric was pleased saying, "thanks for that. It looks to be have recently painted."
Returning to the towpath, Southey said, "what lovely reflections."
Dad suggested, "It would be best to leave by the Canal Turn pub onto the A6 then branch left down Haws Hill towards the station."
"Good idea", agreed Uncle Eric.
At the bottom he pointed out, "that was once the station masters' house."
We walked onto the station car park to view the parking machine clearly showing that payment could only be made via the app or online.
"It is discrimination", said Dad. "They assume that everyone has a mobile. Not right."
"No agreed Uncle Eric. "You should be able to pay by cash or a least card."
The way was now down Warton Road, Dad taking this shot of Carnforth station.
Shaun said, "maybe the restricted ways to pay is the reason it is so empty."
Grizzly told us, "Carnforth Station is famous as the major location for the classic 1945 film Brief Encounter. Written by Noel Coward and directed by David Lean, it starred Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. At the time Carnforth was a true junction station, with the lines to Barrow & Leeds and the main line between Glasgow and London. Years later with the advent of faster trains and more traffic, the mainline trains ceased to stop here, the interconnections being made at Lancaster just a few miles south. The mainline platforms were removed and also the station fell into disrepair. Still a focus for tourists in relation to Brief Encounter, the station was renovated. The Refreshment Room cafe, itself an important component of the film, was reopened, and a visitor centre created. This celebrated the stations' place in railway history and the industrial heritage of the town, and of course the filming of Brief Encounter."
"Thank you pal", said Southey. "As always you add interest to our adventure, and educate us."
Looking across the station yard, Uncle Eric pointed to this building. "This is the Furness Railway signal box, built around 1880 at the time of the rebuilding of Carnforth Station."
Subsequently Grizzly did more research and told us, "the architect for the rebuild of the station was William Tite. At Carnforth, he employed a Tudor/Neo-gothic style. Architecture practice Austin and Paley of Lancaster was responsible for the design of the signal box, doing so to match Tite's station buildings." Click link to The Beauty of Transport site for more information.
Continuing along Warton Road, we came to the remains of the Carnforth Iron Works.
The large words on the lintel are above the original and now bricked up entrance. The works operated from 1846 under different ownerships until closure in 1929. The area behind is now a large industrial estate.
Allen pointed "the clock references the iron works."
"A shame like the works, it is no longer operating", added Tetley.
Strolling on we came to Shore Lane. "Our route is along there", called out Shaun.
"There's the Horse trough", said Little Eric. "It was used by the horses from the Iron Works and the railway."
Striding out, we passed Hagg Farm, with its date of 1638. "It is one of, if not, the oldest house in Carnforth. It belonged at one time to the Lucas family", informed Grizzly.
"Walking on Southey gave the next instruction. "It's across the footbridge."
This spans the River Keer, seen here downstream where it eventually empties into Morecambe Bay.
"We have enjoyed walks along this river further upstream from Pine Lake to Capernwray", reminisced Allen.
The path now continued to a t-junction, where to the right is a bridge below which runs the main line to Barrow. These can be seen in the background to the picture below.
You may wonder why Dad took this picture of a wall? Once again Grizzly provides the reasoning. "Below this is a filled in bridge. This was known as the L'al Cheggie line bridge. The line ran to Scout Crag Quarry and brought stone to the iron works. There was a junction where a line forked off crossing the lane and the Carnforth to Barrow line to progress out into Morecambe Bay on a high railway track bed. This bed was laid down by tipping the red-hot waste product from the iron works, known as slag."
"Go left to pass Cotestones Farm", advised Shaun. "Then left again."
"Little Eric pointed, "there's one of the many bird sculptures around the area."
"It represents a lapwing" said Tetley. "Uncle Brian loved to see those birds."
Onwards we passed the Warton Stock Car Club circuit.
"Over the years I have seen adverts for events here, and indeed some of the vehicles heading to the circuit", remarked Dad. "Somehow I envisaged the circuit being larger."
Adjacent to this are the remains of the trackbed where the slag was deposited.
The line was constantly extended as the slag was dumped forming a large embankment.
Grizzly said, "the plan had been to extend this across to Jenny Browns Point to enclose and reclaim land but this was never achieved. A large section of slag was subsequently removed for use in the construction of the A590 bypass. I think this was probably the Low/High Newton bypass."
Reading from the leaflet, Tetley quoted, "'please remember the men who attempted to reclaim many acres of land using the waste products of Iron and Steel making. Feel and and see the awesome challenge they were attempting; imagine the sight of the Mary Irving Steam engine dumping red hot slag and lighting the night sky as work continued 24hrs a day'."
After a little contemplation Southey then shouted, "wow. There is a terrific view of the Coniston Fells. A must picture for our story, Dad."
Our exploration complete we returned towards the footbridge. By the farm, Shaun said, "let's sit there, for our picture."
Our pal Allen is looking very proud, having achieved 6,000 miles so joining Shaun, Tetley and Grizzly.
Shortly before the footbridge, Southey said, "those lovely horses are worth a picture."
Allen commented, "that must be the former Scout Crag Quarry, where the stone was brought from the to the works."
As we crossed the footbridge, Shaun instructed, "go right along Shore Road that leads to Crag Bank"
There on familiar ground from previous walks we continued towards the A6. Progress was halted at one point as Little Eric, called out, "please take a picture of the post box. It dates from the reign of King George V."
At the A6 we crossed passing the flower train...
...and up onto the canal towpath to the start.
"What and enjoyable and very interesting walk", said Tetley. "Thank you Uncle Eric for suggesting it and organising the route.
"You are most welcome Lads.
" Grand day", went on Allen. "My passing 6,000 miles and no sheep pictures too!"
