Allen, Southey and Tetley were huddled over the laptop, as Shaun with Little Eric on his back, and Grizzly trotted in.
"Ooh tea!" cheered Allen. "Just the ticket, I'm....
..."gasping for a cuppa", finished Tetley, letting out a bellow of laughter.
"Me too", enthused Southey. "And for cake!"
"We can satisfy all", replied Little Eric. "Grizzly has been busy making chocolate coconut and cherry slice. My contribution is peach and apricot slice."
"Super", cheered Southey. "We've not had those for a while. Without even trying we know they will be delicious."
We all tucked in and with steaming mugs in paw, there was murmurs of contentment.
"What were you looking at when we came in?", asked Shaun.
"The pictures Dad took on the walk from Greystoke", replied Tetley. "No less than 60." Then laughing said, "he really went Japanese with the camera."
"Wow and epic walk that will translate into an epic story", stated Allen.
"The actual length was my fault, because I fell out of the rucksack", said Little Eric contritely. "I still feel bad about it, but was surprised Dad was not more cross."
"We were all upset to find you missing none more than Dad, but so overjoyed when we found you safe and sound", said Grizzly. Do not dwell on it, pal. Past is past."
Shaun changed the subject by looking up from the iPad and saying, "there is a day down for a walk with Uncle Eric on Wednesday. It will be our turn to suggest a route. As Tetley has said about the walk from Greystoke. there are other walks that he and I did with Dad about 20 years ago. We can repeat them, meaning we will all have walked the route and make new stories too. I have one starting from Killington New Bridge. It is around 4 miles, a distance suitable for a day with Uncle Eric." Allen looked up, but Shaun said, "I have already suggested it to Dad."
"Thanks pal. Saved me a job", replied Allen. "So all we have to do is see if Uncle Eric likes the idea."
He did and here is our account of the adventure.
We were blessed with a beautiful calm day with plenty of sunshine.
We arrived first and Dad squeezed the car into the layby just on the east side of Killington New Bridge.
"It's so quiet", whispered Grizzly. This was the case when we stopped to view the beautiful countryside. Not a sound. The silence deafening. Apart, that was when it was shattered by the occasional passing of low flying jets. RAF practicing!
Uncle Eric arrived and our pals Barnaby and Lee went to say hello as usual.
We looked about, Allen saying, "that's a lovely view of the Howgills. First picture for our story, please Dad."
Shaun said, "we cross the bridge, then look for the signed footpath on the left."
While Uncle Eric walked on, Dad stopped at the bridge to take the River Lune that runs beneath. Here is the view downstream.
"It's very clear and nice reflections", commented Southey.
Soon we found the stile into pasture.
"Straight ahead to a gate", advised Shaun.
"That tree will make a nice picture" pointed Tetley.
Crossing the next field we reached a gate onto a lane. "We cross and drop down to Grassrigg", pointed Southey.
Following the waymarks it was through a gate and on towards a footbridge.
"Just look at the beautiful horse standing proud", said Allen.
We climbed the stile, then Shaun indicated, "it's through that gate right into Cowby Wood."
The path was overgrown through bracken and muddy and slippy.
"You've not got your stick, Uncle Eric", said Tetley with concern in his voice.
Dad then got a little way in front when Uncle Eric called out. He had slipped on a muddy section and fallen in the undergrowth.
"Oh dear", said Little Eric. "Are you all right."
With a bit of hauling Dad got him upright again, but not before he himself fell over backwards and Uncle Eric fell over again.
Concerned that he has forgotten his stick, Dad found a fallen branch of a tree that served him for the rest of the walk.
Very shortly the path was easier. Crossing a stile the path climbed to exit the wood and on across pasture to gate, then ahead to Greenholme.
Pausing to take in the scene, Little Eric said, "it is so peaceful. Not a sound."
"And we have met no one so far. All this beautiful countryside to ourselves", went on Allen.
"Through a gate just past the farmhouse, and then turn right up the walled lane to the next gate", instructed Southey.
Beyond the gate Shaun pointed, "now immediately left to and through that gate."
We had seen a few of the old baths. Used of course to supply water for the cattle and sheep. But jokingly Tetley said laughingly, "they could be outdoor spas."
"Look at that fancy metal plate fastened to one end. I wonder where it came from originally", mused Grizzly.
Noting the name on the plate, Grizzly did a search later. He told us, "it was made by Thomas Altham & Son Ltd. They were ironmongers and ironfounders and builders merchants, of Burrowgate, Penrith. They operated between 1831 and 1981."
As we walked on keeping to the left, Tetley called out, "that's superb view looking back to Greenholme, with the Howgills behind."
"For sure pal", said Shaun. "Absolutely breathtaking. Many happy days exploring and summiting them all."
"It must be Winder on the right. Then the ridge behind is Bram Rigg and the highest point Calders", said Tetley. Not sure about the next ridge to the left, but on the far left I'm pretty sure the lowest rounded fell is Whins End, with Fell Head behind."
"I remember Fell Head. The climb is steep and unrelenting all the way to the top. See it every time we go north on the M6", sighed Dad.
Just ahead it was through this stile.
On and on now to eventually drop left down the slope to a gate.
"High security", remarked Little Eric with a smile, as Dad secured the fastenings.
The waymark clearly pointed right along by the fence, and coming to a gap stile, kept on to a gate.
Rather than go through this, the waymarks pointed right to gate into garden of a house the sign saying 'walkers welcome', and crossing the bridge over the stream running through the garden.
By Killington Hall Dad talked to the lady in the yard about the wonderful scenery and beautiful day. Dad mentioned he had two funerals this week. Uncle Keith's and his great great niece Bebe, who was one of three little girls murdered in Southport. She was so sorry and horrified by the events in Southport, saying "you will be in my thoughts."
Just a little way now was All Saints Church.
Grizzly told us, "The north windows are 14th or 15th century, so that gives some idea of the age of the church. There as can be seen a bell turret and it has a nave and chancel in one. At one time is was a private chapel for the owners of Killington Hall."
Opposite stands Killington Hall.
Grizzly said, "I looked this up on a number of websites. The house dates from the 15th century with alterations and additions of 1640 and 1803. What is of most interest is the pele tower, dating from sometime in the 14th century. As we know pele towers were built in the times of the Border Reivers, for defensive reasons when people felt they were under constant fear of attack. On the visit Cumbria website the tower is shown as being in a ruinous state. No roof or floors or glass in the windows. But as we can see it has been beautifully and sympathetically restored, and is a 5-star self catering property with lounge, diner and kitchen on ground floor and two en-suite bedrooms on the first floor. The Hall is grade II listed."
"I think it is wonderful that the tower has been restored. I'm sure it must be a lovely place to stay, in this beautiful countryside", said Tetley.
At the road we turned left. "There's the post box", called out Little Eric. "It is old, dating from the reign of Queen Victoria."
"Another beautiful house there", pointed Allen. Then looking closely, "it's called Rose Cottage."
"Look there's a well", pointed Southey. Making a closer inspection he went on, "it was built to celebrate the millennium."
The narrow lane climbed uphill and then down to crossroads. "We go along that narrow access lane that leads to Low and High Stangerthwaite Farms and dwellings", advised Shaun.
These came into view, backed by this magnificent view of the Howgill Fells. "Wow", breathed Southey. "Breathtaking."
"In the centre foreground is Winder, with to the right behind Crook", stated Allen. "The summit in shadow is Arrant Haw. As you said before Shaun, we had lots of happy days summiting them all, many with your company Uncle Eric."
"Yes lads. I recall those lonely valleys in the north side of the massif. We rarely saw any other walkers."
Passing the farms, the track led to two gates. "It's over that waymarked stile between them", said Southey.
A rather, at times, overgrown narrow path...
...exited into the garden of houses at Broad Raine.
"There's a seat", called out Little Eric. "Good place to have our picture taken."
Now right to pass on the left side these buildings under renovation to dwellings.
This name stone told us its former use and it period of operation.
Later Grizzly looked it up. "There is little information about this. Two old photographs also refer to it as Broad Raine Mill. It was powered by water from the River Lune."
Striding on we passed the fish pass and turbine to produce electricity. "Once powering the mill, now the river is being used for this, and helping with Global Warming", said Shaun.
Onwards we climbed a stile to the narrow path by the river that led to a stile onto a narrow lane. Going right we soon reached the junction where a few yards right were the cars.
"That was a lovely walk", said Grizzly. "Thank you Dad."
"You're welcome lads."
"And" said Allen gleefully, "another sheep picture free story."
Just then Uncle Eric called out. We went over. He pointed, "look I had got my stick read laying it on the car, but just forgot to take it. I'm going to keep the branch it served me well after the incident in Cowby Wood."
