As soon as Dad had he gear loaded we dashed out to settle in the car, Tetley calling out, "see you later pals."
"Have a good time", called back Ralph. "Make sure Dad takes care."
Dad took the Bay Gateway, Grizzly, saying, "I thought you would be going through Lancaster."
"Normally, but as it is bank holiday it will be busy, so instead I'm going on the M6 to come off at junction 33 onto the A6, and after a few miles go right. The lane will take us to Cockerham and it will be just a little way right to the car park."
The day was sunny to start but clouded over in the afternoon, but for once warm enough for Dad to be in shorts, although as you will see he was to regret this somewhat!
We got settled in the rucksack, Shaun giving the first instruction. "Along the lane to the right of the parish hall towards the church.
"Those flowers on the banking are pretty", pointed Allen.
At the end we came to St Michael's Church that we would have liked to look round, but sadly it was locked.
"Oh shame it is locked", said Grizzly who particularly likes looking round churches. "I can tell you a bit about it. The oldest surviving part of the original church is the tower dating from the 16th century. The body of the church was rebuilt in 1814 and replaced again in 1910-11 by Lancaster architects Austin and Paley. The plan consists of a five-bay nave with clerestory and two-bay chancel. North and south aisles, a south transept with a vestry and tower."
"Thanks pal", said Southey.
"We go through the churchyard to a gate then walk the paved way right to the A588", advised Shaun. There, he went on, "now left for 300 yards and over the stile on the right.
"Hmm", said Southey. "No way. Looks like this has been redundant for a while. Just as well there is the wide gap to the left into the field."
"Seems to be a good year for nettles", commented Allen. "No friends if in shorts as you are Dad."
The path led across fields and over a footbridge...
...to come to the buildings in the left of the picture, the home of the Black Knights Parachute display team.
"Look called out", Tetley. "There's a parachutist landing."
We were met by the Marshall, who said, "you will just have to wait until the plane lands."
Dad enquired, "is it the display team?"
"No, just members of the public who want to jump. The next few are boarding now."
The Marshall said, "ok, you can cross the runway and it is down that path towards trees."
This led to a footbridge and then left round edge of field to a big stile onto the embankment.
Looking left we could see the buildings relating to the parachute organisation. "The stone building to the right is Pattys Barn, self catering holiday cottages", advised Grizzly.
We walked the embankment to its end, descending to the road and a junction, where stands this memorial seat with directions.
"Our route is to Bank End, along the top of that embankment", pointed Southey.
"I recall walking along it in the opposite direction", commented Tetley.
You will see to the right there are cows in a field. As we got there, Little Eric called out, "there is just one sheep all on its own amongst the cows."
Reaching Bank End Farm, Allen said, "let's sit on that seat for our picture. We have to appear in every story."
The path led left round the farm buildings. "Look at that model of a spitfire on that building", called out Grizzly.
Passing a bench, Tetley said, "there is more of an explanation concerning the name on the stone seat at the junction.
"How sad", said Shaun, as we turned and stood to look at the view and remember Dan.
Passing Bank End Farmhouse...
...we followed the narrow path of the Lancashire Coastal Way towards Bank Houses.
Little Eric called out, "look the Isle of Man ferry is heading into Heysham. And behind we can see the turbines of the huge wind farm off Walney."
Passing Bank Houses, Allen mused, "we will see the little remains of Cockersands Abbey that would have been dissolved by Henry VIII. I wonder if the stone in these buildings came from there?"
"You may well be right, pal", agreed Tetley.
Soon we arrived at the scant remains of Cockersands Abbey...
...the only building left standing being the Chapter House.
Grizzly said, "these are the remains of a Premonstratensian Abbey. The most visible as you can see being the 13th century chapter house. Hugh Garthe settled at Cockersand in around 1180 and founded a hermitage, Documentary sources indicate that by about 1184 this had become a hospital. By about 1189 it was a monastic hospital dedicated to St Mary. In c1192 Cockersand was an abbey of the Premonstratensian Order and functioned as such until its Dissolution in 1539. The reason for the chapter house's survival is that it was converted into a burial chamber for the Dalton family of Thurnham Hall. It was used as a mausoleum from the mid-18th to the mid-19th centuries. It carries Grade 1 listing."
Striding on Tetley pointed, "that is Plover Light."
Again our pal Grizzly educated us. "Plover Scar Lighthouse also known as Abbey Lighthouse is an active 19th century lighthouse at the entrance to the Lune estuary. It is maintained by the Lancaster Port Commission. It consists of a 26 ft white conical stone tower, with a black lantern and twin galleries. With a focal height 6 metres above the sea it can be seen for 6 nautical miles. Its light characteristic is made up of a flash of white light every two seconds. It was built in 1847, as the lower light of two leading lights. The High Light known as Cockersand Lighthouse once stood next to Abbey Lighthouse Cottage. These lights help ships navigate into the Lune estuary, to reach Glasson Dock and then onwards via the Lancaster Canal to the port of Lancaster."
Having seen the ancient remains of the abbey and the Victorian lighthouse, we were brought well into the 20th century seeing Heysham Nuclear Power Station.
The path became a tarmac lane passing Abbey Lighthouse Cottage.
Grizzly said, "The High Light or Cockersand Light once stood behind the white wall. It was deactivated some time after 1985." When we got home Grizzly did more research, saying, "I have found and image of the Cockersand Light. It was taken by Bob Parkinson and held on the Morecambe Bay Partnership website. Although copyright, we hope that they will not mind us using it in our story."
"I wonder what that plaque on the wall of the cottage is about", mused Southey.
We eagerly went to look. This informed us that Janet Raby (1910-1945) and Beatrice Parkinson (1946-1963), the last women lighthouse keepers in the UK, lived here."
With all this knowledge fresh in our minds, we strolled on to shortly reach Crook House.
"Time to leave the coast and head into the countryside", called out Shaun. "Go right through the garden and over the stile."
Crossing the field and on through a gap, then over footbridge through a kissing gate, we reached a junction.
Shaun advised, "we should ignore the sign pointing right for the path for Clarkson's Farm. Our route is ahead by the fence on the right."
The path took us towards Kendal Hill, there walking along the access, coming to the gate into the complex.
Shaun issued the next instruction, "go left across that field and through the kissing gate, then keep ahead to cut the corner tightly and so on to a metalled road. There it will be left to very soon take the track right by the garden of that bungalow, and through another gate and join wide farm track."
"Thanks lad for the excellent directions", said Dad.
"You're welcome, but as we saw the route is very well waymarked here."
It was now just on and on over pastures, passing this lone tree in the otherwise flat landscape of our route. The picture is taken looking back towards the buildings of Kendal Hill.
Unerringly this led to Moss Lane at Gardner's Farm...
...where opposite these ducks were enjoying the sunshine.
"So, where now", asked Allen.
"Left along the lane of for 250 yards to take track right leading to Thursland Hill", replied Shaun looking up from the map.
The access to Thursland Hill was barred by a gate. "That's not our route", called out Southey. "Turn left across the pasture to a bridge and kissing gate."
"There's a path right now", pointed Grizzly.
"Ignore", said Southey. "Keep on to cross the next bridge and kissing gate. Then look for bridge to the right. We cross that."
Tetley commented, "most of the gates have been replaced by ones of aluminium construction. A good idea. They will not rot, and will endure needing little or no maintenance."
Crossing the pasture Shaun indicated, "climb the hill and there join a track."
This curved right, lined with Yarrow...
...and passing this pond...
...to and through the outbuildings to Norbreck Farm.
The path was left into the grounds of a large house, and momentarily we were unsure, but were saved by a lady calling out through the window, "there's a stile by the gate on the right."
"It is hardly surprising we missed it, being hidden by vegetation", commented Little Eric.
Across the field and through another kissing gate, we were faced by this bank of nettles, across which we could see the exit on the far side."
"Oh heck!", cried Tetley. "Whatever are we going to do, with you being in shorts Dad."
Looking about, Allen called out, "fortunately they are only in the the centre of the field. You will be able to walk round the edge to gain the next kissing gate."
Here however Dad's luck truly ran out. It was only 20 yards to the stile on the left, but the narrow path was totally blocked by nettles.
"Oh dear", cried Grizzly.
"Aye lad. I'll try to tread them down but I know I cannot avoid getting stung."
"With all the rain it is without a doubt a good year for nettles and other vegetation", commented Tetley.
"Quite", agreed Dad. "I should perhaps bring my stick, or perhaps this year wear long trousers."
"We know how much you like to walk in shorts, but perhaps that would be sensible", replied Shaun.
Beyond the stile Dad strode out right across pasture and reach Hillam Farm.
On route we met a couple coming the opposite way. They were both in shorts too, so Dad warned them about the nettles they would soon encounter. "Let's hope they do not get too stung", said Allen, as we walked on.
At the lane, Shaun said, "it's left along it for 400 yards to take a gate right."
Spotting the signpost, Tetley said, "this must be it"
Striding the good track as it bent left, it was then through a gate and across the pasture to the footbridge over Hasty Beck.
Shaun was quick to issue the next instruction, as Dad seemed to be heading to a gate away to the right. "Cross the track to that faded yellow painted tall stone..."
"...and up the bank to the waymarked gate into the garden of Ware Cottage."
I have some notes about this", said Grizzly. "The house dates from about 1600, although altered, and at the time of listing in 1985 was semi-derelict. The sandstone rubble and cobbles walls replaced original timber and clay. The roof originally thatch then replaced by corrugated iron is now as we can seen tile. At the time of survey the left end of the house was divided into a buttery and pantry with timber doorways, and nailed to the post between them was plaque inscribed '1597'. It carries Grade II listing."
"Thank you pal, as always", stated Tetley. "The survey was 40 years ago. It is good to see that the cottage was restored and is lived in."
Leaving by a gate and winding round right, Allen pointed, "wow, the field a blaze of yellow with buttercups."
"Ooh and there are alpacas at top" called out Southey.
Beyond a stile we joined a concrete track. "Go right then where it bends left keep ahead to another stile, and up by the hedge."
This led to a gate into the wood, where a short over overgrown path led into a builders yard its access taking us to A588 at Cockerham.
As we strolled to the car, Little Eric called out, "take a picture of the postbox please. A colourful one to end the story."
"What a lovely walk", said Southey.
"Yes", agreed Allen. "Some new paths on the second half across the fields too"
"Thank you, Dad", went on Tetley.
You are welcome lads."
And with regards to Dad's nettle stung legs. He told us that they tingled for the rest of the day, but were back to normal next morning.
