There was contentment all round. Tea had arrived and we had steaming mugs in paw.
Allen had already drunk his and was hold it out for Shaun to refill. "You must have a cast iron stomach. For me it is still too hot to drink."
"Yep" agreed Allen. "I'm like Dad he drinks his very hot."
Southey said, "Little Eric the peach and apricot slice is scrumptious."
"Thanks pal, glad you like it."
"And love the chocolate cherry and coconut slice, Grizzly", went on Tetley. "I'm taking another couple of slices before Allen scoffs the lot."
"You mean the President of the Teddy Bear Tea Belly and Cake Stuffers Society", laughed Shaun. "Not only have you a cast iron stomach but hollow legs too."
Grizzly picked up the iPad. "The weather looks really good for Saturday. Dad has not had too busy a week so perhaps we can get a walk in?"
"Hmm", mused Little Eric. "Just remember he is going to a concert in Manchester on Sunday with Wayne and Crumble."
"Well, we can only ask, but first we need to come up with a suggestion", replied Tetley.
"I have and idea", said Shaun. "I have been looking down the walks index, and found one from 2006 that starts in Burneside, which we have never done. It goes up to Potter Tarn that we have been too a few times, but the route there I am sure is new, as is parts of the return route via Cowan Head and Bowston."
"It's a delightful area", agreed Grizzly. "And, it will be another ticked off and also a story to add to the website."
"It is number 321", replied Shaun. So, he and Tetley carefully lifted the heavy binder down and extracted the instructions. "Right Allen will you go and see what Dad thinks?"
"Sure pal, but please refill my mug again for when I get back.
He was not long. "Thanks", he said taking the steaming mug. "Dad is in full agreement. This will be a nice walk. And despite the concert on Sunday he is happy to do it with us Saturday."
"Great", cheered Little Eric.
A beautiful warm and sunny day one of the few so far this year. It actually felt like spring at last.
Burneside is a small village just a little way off the main A591. It has a railway station and is home to the large paper mill complex of J D Cropper plc.
Just beyond the end of the Kendal bypass we took the right turn down the narrow lane to the village. At the junction, Shaun said, "go left and according to the instructions park on the left opposite the church in front of the old toilets."
Seeing them Dad said, "there is no layby now. I'm going to park just adjacent in that large open area instead."
We got quickly settled in the rucksack that Dad shouldered once ready, Southey instructing, "we walk back the way we came past the junction, and then left along Hall Road, and past the huge J D Cropper paper mill complex to find a path signed to Bowston on the left."
Soon Allen called out, "here it is."
In yards it was then left along the fenced path that skirts the paper mill.
At its end a stile took us into pasture by the River Kent. "That scene is a must for the story", pointed Little Eric.
"We are on the Dales Way", said Shaun. "We go ahead along the path just above the river to reach a kissing gate. The Dales Way is through that, and will be our return route from Bowston. For now we go along by the wall."
Nature had truly wakened up making the countryside look so beautiful. "I love this time of year", stated Allen. "The trees look so fresh in their new foliage. Those over there will make nice shots to include."
Looking about, Allen said, "the fields are full of ewes with their lambs. I'm not going to get a sheep picture free story today."
"For sure", laughed Tetley. "that ewe and lamb are just begging to have their picture taken."
Soon we reached a narrow lane, taking the stile opposite to walk on over three pastures.
Grizzly pointed, "that group of trees are worth a picture."
Shaun pointed, "we are heading to Braban House."
A gate took us onto the bridleway. "Go left and round the back of Braban House", advised Southey.
After a waymarked gate, we crossed the centre of the field to another gate onto delightful hedged bridleway...
...that in part was lined with wild garlic.
At its end we came to Potter Fell Road. "Go right, and just past the layby we take track past Mirefoot holiday homes, signed to Hagg Foot", instructed Shaun.
The reinforced track climbed steadily, and where it ended Tetley said, "go on via the left of the two gates, to then ignore the left turn and keep climbing."
Here the path became grassy.
"Aww" pointed Little Eric, "that lamb is just waiting to have its picture taken, and that ewe with its lamb."
To the right we saw the dammed Ghyll Pool.
Grizzly said, "it is a reservoir constructed in 1934 to provide water for James Cropper's paper mill. It covers just over an acre and is 12 feet deep."
Striding on we passed through a wall gap and over a stile, and soon the dam of Potter Tarn, towered up. "We want to go left up the slope", advised Southey.
This brought Potter Tarn into view, and distantly across the other side we saw the first other walkers today.
Here we sat a while, Grizzly saying, "it is a reservoir built to supply water to James Cropper's paper mill. It is not as large as when built since the dam became unsafe and the water level was lowered in 1990 by reducing the height of the middle of the dam and constructing a new spillway. It covers and area of 5.8 acres and is 20 feet deep. The meaning of the name is 'pasture by the deep pool'. For this information and that of Ghyll Pool I acknowledge Chris Maddock's website that details lakes tarns and meres in the Lake District."
"Thank you as always pal, for adding interest to our day and we have learnt so much in the past from your research", enthused Tetley.
"Good place to have our picture taken for the story", stated Allen.
"Ok lads get settled so I can take it."
"Time to go", said Shaun. "It is over that stile ahead to follow the waymarks on a clear path."
As we crested the rise, Little Eric said, "wow, what a super view. We can clearly see the path leading through that gate."
Tetley said, "of the distant Lakeland Fells, that is the Coniston range to the left, then the Crinkle Crags and Bowfell with the Langdale Pikes to the right."
Strolling on Shaun pointed, "the May blossom makes a lovely sight."
After a wall gap the path contoured down coming to a junction at a signpost pointing the way we had come and reading Potter Tarn.
"Where now?", asked Little Eric.
"Left along that wide grassy trod that the instructions say is lined with oaks", replied Shaun.
This brought us to the cottage called Side House.
Having gone left to get this shot of the cottage, Shaun said, "we ignore the ongoing track, instead head across the pastures."
The view opened out, Little Eric pointing, "what are those large buildings?"
Once again our trusty researcher Grizzly had the answer. "Cowan Head. A luxury residential development of 60 apartments and cottages created on the site of an eighteenth century paper mill."
Looking up from the map and instructions, Allen said, "our route will take us past them."
Almost immediately Shaun said. "we need to leave the path and descend the slope."
Dad did and we came to a gate onto the a road. "Ahh", said Tetley. "We should have gone to the left corner, where there is a stile, but it does not matter. Just turn left."
Fairly soon he pointed, "there's the stile where we should have emerged. "
Coming to Hagg Foot, Shaun said, "go right by the building and then right along the hedged track to cross the bridge over the River Kent and join the Dales Way.
We've been here before on a walk with Uncle Eric some years ago", commented Tetley. "I recall the bridge was different."
He was quite right as in a conversation Dad had with a couple whose dog was enjoying swimming in the river, the gentleman said, "the original bridge was washed away in storm Desmond."
"I am quite sure that the same fate will not happen to the new structure", replied Dad with confidence.
Following the Dales Way, we soon reached Cowan Head with its mill pond.
Passing through and striding the access, Little Eric called out, "a post box. A picture please Dad for my collection."
At the corner Shaun said, "Keep ahead on the continuing track."
This led to the Bowston passing bungalows, Dad chatting for a while to a gentleman who lives in one.
At the road we walked on passing these substantial stone houses with the name Old Bowston.
"Perhaps some of the original houses in the village?", mused Tetley.
The Little Eric called out, "look the post box. It dates from the reign of Queen Victoria."
"Turn left here and cross the bridge over the River Kent", called out Southey.
"It probably dates from the 17th century", said Grizzly. "It is Grade II listed."
The Dales Way was immediately right after the bridge and led us across a pasture. "Look at those sheep resting and taking advantage of the shade", pointed Tetley.
After stile the path led us to the kissing gate we had ignored earlier, where we joined the outwards route. As we walked along Hall Road, Allen said, "ooh that rhododendron is worth a picture."
Arriving at the car, Grizzly asked, "can we visit the church."
"Of course lad."
So here is St Oswald's.
"The present church was built in 1881 to the design of Mr C J Ferguson of Carlisle by five rag stone wallers. There has been a church on this site however since 1602", Grizzly informed us.
Going inside Dad took this looking along the nave.
"The reredos, below the beautiful east window, was carved by a local carving class with the help of Arthur Simpson furniture maker of Kendal", said Grizzly.
In the side aisle to the left is another beautiful east window.
Pointing, Grizzly told us, "the organ was built by Wilkinson's of Kendal and was installed in 1881.
Finally as we returned to the entrance, we noted the font standing on a plinth with its pillars and decoration.
As we crossed the road to the car, Grizzly said, "the church provides a public toilet for residents and visitors and hosts the outreach Post Office on three mornings a week. It is also designated the place of safety for the Village in the event of an emergency."
"Thank you for the guided tour pal", said Allen.
Looking across the road, Little Eric said, "a picture of that wisteria will make a nice end to our story."
"What a super walk!!" cheered Allen.
"Absolutely pal", agreed Tetley.
"Just fabulous countryside", added Shaun. "Thank you Dad as always for taking us."
"You are welcome Lads. It has indeed been a good day."
