Dad told us, "I want to start walking by about 09:00, so we need to be up and off from home soon after 07:30."
"Like some of those early starts we had when meeting with Uncle Bob in Yorkshire all those years ago now", replied Tetley.
The route was familiar. We have lost count of the number of times we headed north on the M6 destined for the Lakeland fells. Leaving at junction 40 it was then west on the A66 to soon turn right and follow the route to Greystoke.
As we entered the village Shaun called out, "here's the parking area to the left. It is free too."
We were set for a dry and quite sunny and warm day. However the humidity was such that it made for hard going at times!
"Before we set off it would perhaps be nice to take a few pictures of Greystoke to set the scene", suggested Allen.
"Good idea pal", agreed Grizzly. Then as we walked to the centre, he went on "the cottages date from the 17th century."
Next Grizzly pointed, "that archway leads to Greystoke Castle. It is not open to the public. It is a venue for corporate hospitality, outdoor management and training, and is licensed for civil weddings. The Castle stands in about 6000 acres, which is said to be the largest enclosure in England without a road or right-of-way running through it."
"What's that on the green?", pointed Southey.
"The Village Cross", replied Grizzly. "It was built in the early 1600s, being first mentioned on documents in 1623. Constructed in red sandstone, it is a Grade II listed structure. It stands on the site of a market licensed by Henry III to Thomas de Greystoke."
Across the green stands the Boot & Shoe Inn. Dad commented, "I might have a meal there, if we get back in time."
Only minutes into the actual walk we were to find out that the oak tree on the green was planted in 1977 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, by John Sealby who was at the time Chairman of Greystoke Parish Council.
"Thank you Grizzly for all the interesting information. You are certainly our ace researcher", praised Shaun. "Now we had better get on our way. Take the road towards Penrith that we drove along", he instructed.
As we did Tetley pointed, "what's that?"
At the instigation of Roy Fisher, Chairman of Greystoke Parish Council, in order to leave a lasting memorial to Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, 5000 yellow daffodils and 2000 white daffodils, the white to represent the diamond were planted. A number of trees too were planted. Some 60 men women and children were involved in the planting, including Brownies and Girl Guides.
The plinth was built by K & M Hogg, stonemasons of Appleby, with most of the stone donated by Cumbria Stone Ltd, Penrith. A time capsule prepared by Greystoke school children and Roy Fisher was placed inside. This has all the information in regarding what events took place in 2012, who the officers were in charge of the committees, and how many people lived in Greystoke.
"How interesting. So glad you pointed it out, Tetley", said Little Eric.
Strolling on, Shaun said, "we go left along that narrow lane to Storch Bridge."
"Now where are my notes", said Grizzly. "Ahh here they are. This humpbacked bridge was once the main road, but is now clearly bypassed. Built late 18th or early 19th century. It is Grade II listed."
We made our way across...
...Southey pointing, "the bridge marks a parish boundary."
As Dad strode out, Shaun gave the next instruction. "it is over that substantial stile to then cross the pasture diagonally right to a stile at far side. Then we will keep by the hedge to the right across three more pastures to a walled lane. "
Progress was stopped by Allen calling out, "there's a good view of Blencathra."
"From this angle we can clearly see why it's referred to as Saddleback", commented Tetley.
"I first climbed it in 1986 with by sister Elaine and her son Roger. There were two vicars who set off before us up Hallsfell to the summit. The mist was down and while we were debating which route to then take, they appeared of out of the mist having walked in a circle. I suggested we descend via Doddick Fell, but, we went in the wrong direction and ended up coming down Sharp Edge, which can be seen facing at the right end of the saddle. It was quite scary. It started a long friendship with one of the vicars, Peter. He came to stay with me with Elaine, and we climbed Crinkle Crags. Another misty and very wet day. Since then you lads have all climbed it including all the Birkett summits."
"Wow", said Southey, "that was some adventure."
A butterfly fluttered around us finally settling long enough for Dad to snap this picture.
We asked our flora and fauna experts Bracken and Moss, what it was called. They told us it is a Peacock butterfly.
"That is a nice tree", pointed Allen.
Reaching the walled track, Southey advised, "go left to Townhead Farm."
There a sign pointed us through the buildings to the road. "Go left past Manor Farm to descend to the first of the pretty villages, Little Blencow", advised Southey.
"That's an impressive house", said Tetley.
Peering Little Eric said, "there's an inscription in that stone lintel. All I can make out is the name Thomas Burbank."
After we got home Grizzly was determined to find out about the building. He told us, "it is Burbank House and the current building dates from 1795. The inscribed lintel is reused from the original building of 1577. Founded by Thomas Burbank it was the first free Grammar School in the north of England. When it was rebuilt it continued as a school for boys, but not longer free, until it closed 1911. For a time it was used as a meeting place for the village, but was converted to a private residence in 1917. It is Grade II listed."
"We learn so much, thanks to you Grizzly", said Allen.
Downhill we crossed the bridge over the River Pettrill...
..into Little Blencow.
Pointing right, Grizzly said, "that building was once the Methodist Chapel. It carries Grade II listing."
Closer inspection of the date stone over the door in the porch revealed that is was a Wesleyan chapel built in 1877.
"There's a seat on the green. Good place to sit for our customary picture", insisted Allen.
"Please take a picture of the post box for my collection" asked Little Eric.
Reading from the instructions Southey said, "we should walk along the road past the Crown Inn, but I do not see it."
"That's because it is closed", replied Grizzly. Then pointing, "it was that white building."
As we passed Tetley remarked, "you are right pal. It is now two dwellings, but the names keep the former use and history alive. They are called Crown House and Old Inn Cottage."
Walking on to the road corner Shaun said, "it's over that signposted stile to the next village."
"Ooh a warning about red squirrels", said Allen. "I wonder if we will get to see any."
Sadly this was not to be today.
The path led over a footbridge, and across the field to a stile.
Looking closely at the map, Southey said, "we cut the corner of two fields via two further stiles, and then cross the next large field to come by a building."
Here a gate led onto a narrow path. "Oh dear", stated Tetley, seeing it overgrown state. "There are nettles too."
"Perhaps it was not the best idea to walk in shorts Dad", went on Little Eric.
"Well never mind I will just have to get through as best I can. I know I'll get stung but the effect will be gone by the end of tomorrow."
At the end there was a short steep descent to an awkward stile. This was made more difficult by Dad trying not to get nettle stung again. The steps down led to the yard of Laithes Timber Mill. Here is the stile looking back from the yard.
Left to the road then right through the village. "There's the wall post box", called out Little Eric. "A picture please Dad."
Along here we met a gentleman with his dog , Dad stopping to chat. Dad told him our route, and how much we were enjoying the beautiful countryside.
He replied, "there are lots of good walks round here. I saw you earlier near Little Blencow."
Saying goodbye we walked on, Dad stopping to take these pretty cottages before we left the village.
The route was simple now. Along the road to...
Grizzly told us about the origin of the name. "'New tun'...This was held in 1185...by William de Reigni. Therefore , 'new village' (from the Old English), 'held by Reigny'".
We passed the Sun Inn...
...then once again Little Eric called out, "there's the post box. That's three so far today for my collection."
"Can we visit the church?", asked Grizzly.
"Of course lad", as Dad opened the gate to the church yard. He walked down the side to get this shot.
Once again our ace researcher, Grizzly was able to inform us. "This is St Johns Church. It was built in 1876 with 12th and 13th century interior parts surviving."
We then went inside and here is the view along the nave.
Grizzly went on, "note the chancel arch, and the octagonal piers of the north arcade. These date from the 12th and 13th-century."
He then pointed to the inscribed beam...
"This records the names of two carpenters who restored the roof in 1585. The Victorian chancel is somewhat oversized compared to the nave. Note that instead of some gaudy cross or stylised crucifix, there is just an open copy of the bible on the altar."
Returning to the road, Shaun advised, "we should cross the road and walk left to the road corner to find the footpath signed to...
"Deary me", sighed Tetley, as he looked along. "Yet another reason not to be in shorts, Dad."
As Dad stood contemplating the challenge, the gentleman who lived next door saw Dad and commented, "you are going to have problems due to it being so extensively overgrown."
"And even more as I am in shorts", Dad replied.
"In the past I cut the path. But as my wife pointed out it is not my responsibility but that of the council. This is the first year I have left it uncut"
We could not help but wish that he had just this year continued to cut the path. Hey ho.
So Dad made his way as best he could, trying to avoid the nettles, but unsurprisingly not being entirely successful. At the end there was a kissing gate into pasture, where a wide mown sward led left then right to a stile with a few nettles around, into a large pasture. This was crossed to the right hand of two gates. then climbing to a gate that was tied up. Dad got over this easily and then followed the walled track left coming to the road we had driven along this morning to Greystoke.
It was here that Tetley called out, "Little Eric, where are you."
"Not again", replied Dad.
"Maybe he has dropped into the rucksack", suggested Shaun.
We all decamped and Dad felt around the bottom to no avail.
"Whatever are we going to do", cried Allen. "He is absolutely unique. The only one is all the world."
"He was there in Newton Reigny as he asked you to take the post box", said Grizzly.
"We'll just have to backtrack", said Dad. "Now all of you keep your eyes peeled."
No luck on the track or any of the pasture, but as we got close to the kissing gate we heard, "dad dad I'm here."
"Thank goodness" said Dad, as he picked him up and gave his a hug and kiss. Then he made sure that he was tightly secured in rucksack.
"I'm sorry Dad", he said. "Am I in trouble."
"No lad. We are all just glad that we found you."
A quickly as possible we retraced the route to the Penrith road.
"We cross, climb the ladderstile and walk the track", instructed Southey.
"That is Pallet Hill Farm to the left", pointed Allen.
As Dad made his way along the very overgrown track, Tetley pointed, "look at all those geese in the field. They are a long way from water."
Southey advised, "we keep along this track, until we find a stile in the right boundary."
"Thanks lad", replied Dad as he did his best to avoid the nettles. After a while he called out, "darn look at this clump of nettles they are a high as my shoulder."
"Oh no", cried Allen. "You've been stung enough as it is already."
He tried to bash then down with his boots, but then said. "this is hopeless, I'll just have to push through a quickly as possible."
Tetley said, "it's sods law. The stile is just here on the right. Why could it not have been just before that clump of nettles."
Over the stile Dad was faced with a long trudge across the large pasture by the wall on right. It was made harder due to the grass not having been cut. "Huh", said Little Eric, "the farmer is busily cutting the grass in the adjacent field."
At the far side is the cattle creep bridge under the long closed railway line from Penrith to Keswick. Three large gates with hinged frame fasteners had to be opened and closed. "Security overkill?" mused Grizzly.
Crossing the next pasture, and then through the gate on left and so right by the house to road.
"This is the edge of Newbiggin", said Shaun. "We go a few yards right and then turn left along road with ups and downs and passing the Flusco Household Recycling Centre."
"We have often seen it signposted off the A66", commented Allen.
Dad stopped to have a drink sitting on a wall of the garden of a holiday cottage. He looked at the map. "I see the walk now goes down by a building and over fields and out onto the lane near Red Barn. With the heat I am getting rather tired lads, so I plan to just use this road and then the lane to get to Red Barn."
"That's ok with us", said Shaun.
"It's my fault falling out of the rucksack", said Little Eric. "I'm sorry Dad."
"Don't apologise. It really is the heat and humidity that is causing the tiredness."
Once this was accomplished and we arrived at Red Barn, we took the signed Public Way. Thankfully, for Dad's sake it was wide and there was no problem with vegetation. This led to a gate and then onwards round the Greystoke Riding Centre.
After rounding the building Southey said, "the instructions say to go through a gate left then a signed gate right. But to me all we need to do is take the gate ahead."
"Yes lad things have changed since the walk was published."
Just beyond the gate this little pony was quietly grazing. "Aww Dad a picture is a must", said Little Eric.
The nicely mown green path led to, and over two bridges and into the churchyard of St Andrew's Church at Greystoke.
"Let me see what I can tell you about the church", said Grizzly organising his notes. "It is the parish church and at one time was also a college for priests. It was founded in 1255, with extensive alterations and additions in the 15th century and further restorations on 1645, 1848 and 1878-99."
Going inside Dad took this of the nave.
Grizzly explained, "the church grew to its large size in the 14th century, when chantries for saying masses for victims of the Black Death were added on either side of the central arcade. When the oak screens that divided them were removed during the Reformation, they left, as we can see, a very large nave. The rood beam that bridges the chancel arch is from the medieval church. It has floral symbols representing the wounds of Christ."
Walking down we then viewed the chancel.
"The beautiful east window is a collection of medieval glass. According to village lore, the glass was removed in haste and buried as Cromwell approached, and then finally restored in 1848. But, the restorers had difficulty in reassembling the pieces in the original order and substituted fragments from other destroyed windows. At the extreme left, middle height, is a curious sight; a red devil beneath the feet of a Bishop. But the devil was originally in another window, whispering to Eve in the Garden of Eden!"
By the door is this dramatic figure of the crucified Christ. "It is the work of Josephine de Vascanellos. It represents the words of Jesus to the good thief that hung beside him. 'Today shalt thou be with me in paradise'. It looks out of the window into the future, from time to eternity."
"The font is rather nice on its plinth and with nice carving", pointed Tetley.
Grizzly said, "although there is no information about it, the organ might make a nice picture."
We noted this memorial on the west wall. "That will be worth a picture to round off the tour", stated Grizzly."It is a memorial to Henry Charles Howard (1850-1914) of Greystoke. He was a member of the influential Howard family headed by the Duke of Norfolk. He was MP for Penrith from December 1885 until July 1886. Initially a Liberal, he disagreed with Gladstone's Irish policy and joined the Liberal Unionists. He resided at Greystoke Castle. A portrait commissioned after Howard's death was unveiled of Newton Rigg College (which he founded in 1896), in 2012."
"Thank you once again pals for the excellent tour", said Allen. "Such a lot has been added to our days' enjoyment by your research."
We walked down the street to the corner to find to Little Eric's delight the post box.
As Dad was lining up this shot, we heard the lady of a couple who were getting in their car, say "teddies."
"Phew" said Dad, "that was quite a walk. I'm glad to be back at the car."
Checking the GPS Shaun said, "in all 10.25 miles."
"It's my fault" said Little Eric.
"Oh never mind, lad. Just glad we found you!, replied Dad. "I'm going to the Boot and Shoe for a drink and perhaps a meal."
"Ok, we've got our own picnic. Lots of sandwiches, tea and cake", replied Allen rubbing his tummy in anticipation.
It turned out that Dad was just too late for food, but he told us that from the fact that the crumble was £8, it would be expensive. He had a pint of orange squash to quench his thirst.
The landlord said, "how far have you walked."
"10 miles."
"Wow, wish I could do that. Had new knees. They are not good. Keep your own lad." Dad offering to pay, he said, "no charge considering how far you have walked."
When Dad told us he was too late for food, Tetley said, "no problem Dad. I guess you are going to stop at junction 37 services at Tebay."
"Spot on lad."
He had a curry with rice and chips and pot of tea. We noted quite a few coaches pulled up to give passengers a comfort break and food break.
As Dad returned Little Eric said, "there's a post box here by the car. Will you take a picture for my collection, please."
"Sure thing."
As we headed south on the M6, Shaun said, "it was great to repeat this walk after all these years. It was lovely to visit the pretty villages. Thank you Dad from us all."
"Aye pal, it has been a grand day out", added Tetley.
"And", said Allen gleefully. "A sheep picture free walk. Yippee!"
