Allen and Tetley were hunched over the laptop, when Southey trotted into the room.
"What are you looking at pals?"
"The pictures Dad took on our walk from Cockerham", replied Allen. "There are lots to properly illustrate our adventure."
"It was a super walk along the Lancashire Coastal Way and then over the fields on the return", said Southey. "But I felt for Dad, not being able to avoid the nettles and getting stung."
"Not nice", agreed Tetley. "But thankfully he was fine the next day. All the rain we had earlier in the year and even now, has ensured the vegetation is very verdant. We all know how much Dad prefers to walk in shorts if possible, but he has said to me that long trousers are a more realistic option for now."
"It's nearly two weeks since we walked, but Dad has had a busy time with other commitments, so that is understandable", remarked Allen. "However he is free this coming weekend, and I have looked at the weather forecast and Saturday looks to be ok. I am happy to go and ask Dad, but we will need an idea to suggest. I need tea and cakes to get my brain into gear to do this."
"Ha ha", bellowed Tetley. "The arch tea belly and cake stuffer needs no excuse for tea and cakes."
"Me neither", called out Southey.
Their prayers were answered as Shaun arrived with the tea and Grizzly and Little Eric with the cake tins.
"Great", cheered Allen and Southey.
"It is Ramblears tea of course", said Shaun as he made to fill the mugs.
Grizzly opened the tins. "There are Chorley cakes from me, and Little Eric has done blueberry slice."
We all tucked in, Southey saying, "the Chorley cakes are scrumptious."
"As is the blueberry slice", said Allen, who was already on his second piece.
Tetley then brought Shaun, Grizzly and Little Eric up to date with the discussion that had taken place before they arrived.
"Well", said Shaun. "I can hopefully save you all a lot thinking. I have found another walk from the index, that has not been done. It was published in March 1998, and is in the Lake District. These lower walks were I guess passed over when we were busy climbing the fells."
"What's the number?", asked Tetley.
"153", replied Shaun.
Carefully, Tetley with Southey and Allen's help, the binder was lifted down and the details retrieved. Tetley scanned them. "I see it starts from Ulpha Bridge in the Duddon Valley. That has been the starting place for a few walks when we were tackling the Wainwright Outlying Fells."
Grizzly added, "I'm sure that most if not all will be new ground. Good idea of yours Shaun."
"Such a lovely area to walk", said Little Eric. "It will be super to be back in the Lake District."
Allen drained his mug, saying, "I'll go and see what Dad thinks about the suggestion. Could you refill my mug for when I get back please."
"Of course pal", said Shaun taking it from him.
It was not long before Allen returned. "Thanks pal", he said accepting the steaming mug from Shaun. "Dad is very happy to tackle this walk. Especially as it will be new paths. So, it's on for Saturday."
"Wonderful", cheered Southey.
"Quite", agreed Little Eric. "Here's to the best Dad in all the world.
The route to the start was very familiar to us all. Not only had we started walks at Ulpha Bridge, but often we had driven on to cross Birker Fell. Starting walks from there and also from Eskdale to which that road leads.
Leaving the A590 and heading towards Broughton the rain came down. "Oh dear", said Little Eric. "I did not think this was forecast."
It was just passing over and by the time we got to Ulpha Bridge the sun was out and we were to have a dry day, but a bitter cold wind.
"Hardly feels like summer", remarked Tetley.
Dad had parked in the rough layby just before Ulpha Bridge that is dominated by The Pike.
"That is one of the Wainwright Outlying Fells", said Little Eric.
"We climbed that in 2006, then again in 2012 with Uncle Eric, and you bagged it too", replied Tetley.
"You truly amaze me", said Southey in awe. "However do you remember all these facts."
Two gentlemen parked next to us, were getting ready for a walk. "Where are you going?", asked Dad.
"Planning to climb Caw", one replied.
They set off, while Dad got ready, and we snuggled into the rucksack, Tetley saying, "Caw is another Outlying Fell. The last time was in 2014 with Uncle Eric. All six of us did it too."
"The track they walked up is our route too", advised Shaun.
Allen commented, "as indicated by the signpost, there are two routes, the divide being by the house we can see called Birks. Our route is to Kiln Bank."
"The house must be for sale", said Grizzly, pointing to the sign by the road.
All ready Dad strode out along the track that climbed steadily. At Birks we noted the junction Allen had referred to, keeping left to pass through a gate into Birks Wood.
Southey said, "trees must have been felled at some point as it is not dense woodland."
"Just look at that Herdwick standing proud", pointed Shaun. "Our favourite sheep."
Minutes later, Grizzly called out, "there's a Herdwick ewe with its lambs. Must be a first year mother too as its fleece is still brown."
"Aww the faces on the lambs. So cute", said Tetley.
The wood ended at a gate. "Take the path right up by the wall", instructed Shaun.
Continuing we passed an enclosure of Scots Pine and on via gates onto open fell. The ground rose quite steeply to the right, and at one point this substantial retaining wall was necessary.
"There's Far Kiln Bank Farm", pointed Little Eric. "Our first objective."
As we neared it, Shaun said, "ignore that waymark on the left and walk on through the yard to the narrow road."
There Southey said, "cross the road and follow the continuing track."
Dad's progress was halted by Grizzly calling out. "That clump of mature Copper Beeches, must be worth a picture."
The track crossed Tommy Gill by its bridge coming to a gate. Through this Shaun said, "now take the gate immediately left and follow the path below the steepish slopes of Caw."
"That's Hesk Fell", pointed Tetley. "As is usual we climbed that on the same day as The Pike.
"There was that mystery about the fence across the top", said Allen. "It was definitely there in 2006 as I recall the cloud was down and it provided a guide to find the summit. However in 2012 the fence had gone, and I remember Uncle Eric saying, 'one wonders why people would go to all the trouble of removing all the wire and posts'." Click the link for the full story - Hesk Fell
Beyond a gate we had a good view to the valley floor with its network of stone walls that had no doubt stood for centuries. "The nearest building is Low Hall that we should aim for", remarked Shaun.
The path zagged and descended via the buttressed way to the valley floor. Crossing Black Syke by the clapper bridge, Little Eric said, "just look at that tiny arched bridge just upstream. Just perfect for bears and sheep!"
Here the path followed the wall round right to Low Hall.
"Walk the access to the road", advised Shaun.
This massive Sycamore tree stands in front. "Wow quite beautiful", breathed Grizzly.
At the road Shaun said, "turn right to the junction and then turn left."
There stands this phone box. Looking closer Tetley said, "it's still operational. The mobile signals must be a bit spotty around here."
Following Shaun's advice Dad turned left to cross Hall Bridge that stones embedded in the wall told us was rebuilt in 1938, and also marks the boundary between the parishes of Seathwaite and Ulpha....
..and spanning the River Duddon.
Little Eric could hardly contain his excitement. "Look the postbox dating from King George V, is set into the bridge wall. That must be quite unusual."
Until now, apart from the two gentlemen getting ready for their walk, at the start, we had met no one. The owner of the house adjacent to the bridge was in his garden and Dad had a nice chat. He was interested in the route we were taking, and Dad introduced us too. The conversation turned to the superb view of the fells from his house, including Grey Friar and Swirl How.
Saying our goodbyes, Dad strode out along the road. "We are looking for a house called Crowberry on the right", said Shaun. "Just beyond we climb the step stile into pasture."
"The instructions say to cross this slightly left to find the gate into Crook Wood", advised Allen.
This proved to be rather further left than we thought, but Tetley pointed, "that must be it over there."
"Its seen better days", laughed Grizzly, as we viewed the dilapidated iron gate that is partly broken and wedged closed by a stone.
Try as he might Dad could not lift it over the stone. "Doubt its ever been properly opened for a long long time", stated Little Eric.
Taking his camera off and dropping it on the far side, Dad then climbed over. Camera retrieved it was up the quite steep and rough stoney path containing a stream.
"There should be a waymark", said Shaun.
A fallen tree blocking the path was negotiated and still climbing we came to the first waymark.
"Phew", called out Little Eric with relief in his voice, "we are on the right route."
The path was now much clearer...
...with more waymarks that directed us close by a quarry spoil heap and on to pass two roofless quarry huts.
The next stile close by is redundant as the fence is gone. Climbing on it was through a gate on a pleasing path over the fell to come to t-junction. "Climb on to the right", instructed Shaun.
"It's not worth a picture, but we can just see a little part of the huge quarry that the spoil heaps came from", pointed Tetley.
Pausing here, Allen called out, "that's Stickle Pike another of the Wainwright Outlying Fells.
"Climbed by Shaun and I in 2004, then by us all with the exception of Southey, again in 2009", said Tetley.
"And over there is Caw", pointed Grizzly.
"That's right pal", agreed Tetley. "Shaun and I first climbed it in 2004. Then in 2008 us all except you Southey. You finally bagged it though on our third visit in 2014."
The path led on up to waymark that directed us left on terraced path by the huge heap. to pass another roofless hut.
"There's the path through the bracken", pointed Allen. "It must take us up to that gate", he pointed.
There we paused again to look down on the remains that we had walked through.
The quite clear path led us onwards through a gate and over wet boggy ground to descend and pass the forlorn and long abandoned ruins of Grimecrag Farm.
"Just past, we go left and then right parallel to the wall and then through the left of two gates to bring us to Brighouse Farm", informed Shaun.
Dad made towards the gate, Shaun calling out, "that's not the way Dad. We go sharp left behind you along the access. Then before the bridge it is left over the stone step stile."
A short walk brought us to the next stone step stile. "Ooh", said Grizzly. "It looks to be fenced off."
Closer examination however revealed that this was a wire gate secured by a loop.
Onwards through bracken, Shaun saying, "our way is now right over Grimecrag Bridge that spans Crosby Gill"
"Now left towards Hazel Head Farm", called out Southey.
"Aww", pointed Tetley. "Look there's Herdwick ewes with their lambs."
At the farm we passed through gates, and ignoring the access went left in front of the house, following the waymarks to come to a barn.
"Over that hurdle", advised Shaun. "Then on with the wall on the right to gate in it, to then cross the pasture to a signposted gate onto the fell road."
Going left the road descended to a corner. "We take that stile into the woodland", said Southey.
Beyond Dad descended carefully the wet treacherous path to a stile and ladderstile into pasture. Here walked down to the far right corner to the stile with steps to road by a house.
"I'm sure this was once the post office and shop", said Dad.
"You are probably right", said Little Eric pointing to the post box dating from Queen Victoria.
The gentleman who owns the house came out and Dad got into conversation. He confirmed that until 2020 the house was indeed the post office, until the former postmistress retired, and no one offered to take it on. Noting Dad was wearing his Aln Valley Railway cap, he said, "you might be interested in this. The extension at the rear was built in the 1960s. We were doing some work on the roof and found that the supports holding it up were railway line." No longer acceptable building practice, they were now lying on the bank opposite.
Dad said, "they may well have come from line to Coniston that closed in the 1960s.
As we walked on Little Eric pointed to a seat. "We must sit there to have our picture taken. We must appear in every story after all."
Seeing the sign...
...Grizzly said, "can we visit the church, please."
Grizzly told us, "this is the parish church, and the existing building probably dates from the 17th century, with later additions and alterations. The porch was added in the 20th century. The building is Grade II* listed. Note the gabled bellcote."
Going inside Dad took this along the nave.
"Note the font", pointed Grizzly. "The octagonal basin is original on a 19th century pillar and plinth."
"So peaceful in here", remarked Tetley. "Thank you Grizzly as always for the interesting information."
Down the road, we recrossed the River Duddon...
via Ulpha Bridge.
Once again Grizzly educated us. "The date is uncertain, probably 17th or 18th century. Of the three segmental arches to two to the right are for flood water. Like Hall Bridge it marks the boundary between the parishes of Seathwaite and Ulpha. It is Grade II listed.
Now all that remained was the short walk along the road to the car.
"What a super walk, and such lovely views", cried Southey. "I have thoroughly enjoyed it."
"As have we all", went on Tetley, speaking for the rest of us.
"It was nice to meet and chat with the two house owners", said Little Eric.
"Otherwise we saw no one else", added Allen. "Just bliss!!
"Truly a grand day out", ended Tetley.
