We had walked from Appleby on other routes and also from places off the road from the M6 at junction 37.
Passing sign Shaun said, "those were good walks we did from Crosby Ravensworth."
Then further on Allen pointed to the sign to Great Asby. "We have walked from there a few times. I recall the super one that took us through the Potts Valley."
"Oh yes it was quite beautiful through there", agreed Tetley.
In Appleby we dropped down from the castle to then cross the River Eden and find our way to the station for the start. The car park fee was very modest too.
Dad was soon ready, and we got settled snugly in the rucksack Shaun giving the first instruction. "Return to the road and turn right under the railway along Station Road.
"A post box", called out Little Eric. "Dating from the reign of King George V."
"We know", chimed in Tetley. "A picture for your collection. An nice colourful one to start our story."
Beyond the school the road swung right. Seeing the signpost, Southey said, "that's the route. The path signed to Hundriggs."
This led shortly to a stile onto the side of the A66 dual carriageway.
"Ooh", said Little Eric. "This might be a bit tricky."
With great care Dad crossed to the central reservation, then Grizzly called out a few seconds later, "it's safe to cross."
Up the steps and over the the stile on a lane, where Shaun said, cross over the stile opposite."
Across the field we reached another lane. "Go left", said Southey, "then right by the access to Hundriggs."
Grizzly pointed, "that's High Cup Nick."
"Aye lad you're right. Years ago I had hoped that we would climb it, but I'm not so sure now", sighed Dad.
"And that's Murton Pike", commented Tetley.
Up the pasture, a ladderstile on the left took us on the the access proper to the farm, where we were greeted by chickens and three young inquisitive goats.
"Take some pictures", called out Tetley. "There can be no objections from Allen as they are not sheep", he added with a laugh.
Through the gate Dad walked up the pasture to keep by the hedge on the left. Over a stile and onwards to next stile. Now in a large field the direction was diagonally right to stile in wall...
...and then drop down to a track by the conifer plantation. Here Dad went up to the right and over a tied gate.
"Stop Dad", called out Shaun. "This is the wrong way. At the track we needed to go left then up to the right of the trees and over Murton Beck."
"Oh lad what would I do without you", as he backtracked.
We had paused by the beck, and a young lady passed us, Dad exchanging a few words.
Grizzly commented on the fact that she was wearing very short shorts. " I hope that she will not be on a track such as you had to contend with last week full of nettles!"
Joining the forest track, Tetley remarked, "I recall being May when Shaun and I did the walk that the bluebells made a magnificent sight in the woods here. I think Dad that you probably took a picture. I would be nice to include it the the story."
It never ceases to amaze me how you are able to recall so much from previous adventures, pal", said Southey in wonderment.
We noticed the young lady took a rising path to the left. "Should we be going that way?". asked Grizzly.
"No lad", replied Shaun. "We continue until we get to Flakebridge Cottage."
"Oh look", pointed Little Eric, "there's the ornate structure containing a tap, which is mentioned in the instructions."
"Take the forest forest track leading away behind the tap, above Swine Gill", advised Shaun.
Then after a few minutes he gave further advice. "Follow the waymark onto the grassy path."
This led us past a pool and on to a ladderstile into large field. "Cross towards the left side and that magnificent sycamore tree", said Shaun.
By this, it was through the gap stile and on parallel to the woodland but a little way away, to come to gate.
We paused here while Shaun and Southey consulted the instructions.
"Here comes the young lady again", said Grizzly with surprise in his voice.
Having a few words, she told us, "I got rather lost in the woodland."
Over a stile we dropped down to cross the footbridge...
...over pretty tree lined Keisley Beck...
...and follow the narrow path that after little way was alongside the wall on the right.
The young lady was ahead of us and took the stile in the wall signed to Keisley.
"Keep ahead towards Dufton", said Southey.
The stiled and waymarked route led past this large barn...
... and on to pass the the right of Greenhow Farm, and then left over a stile to follow a tiny stream to the lane at Redbanks Bridge.
"Left over Redbanks Bridge then immediately right into Dufton Gill Wood", advised Southey.
A sign told us this was owned by the Woodland Trust. "Just delightful through here", enthused Allen. "I am loving this walk. And so far, as in the last few we have avoided any sheep pictures."
After crossing the footbridge, we kept ahead to reach Dufton. "Let's have a break here", said Dad heading towards a bench.
"Good place to have our picture", suggested Little Eric.
A quite lovely village with a large green surrounded by houses many in the red sandstone.
"Oh, there's an information board about the village", pointed Grizzly. "Let me read some of it."
First he said, "the name Dufton means the 'farmstead where doves were kept'. It is first mentioned in 1176. The lime trees along the green were planted in 1892. The structure we can see is one of 5 fountains in the village. These and the village water course were provided by the London Lead Co in the 19th century so that the inhabitants had a clean water supply."
"I have memorised some more information about what we may see as we walk on", Grizzly said as we settled again in the rucksack and headed along the road.
Little Eric pointed, "there's the post box dating from the reign of King George V. Please take a picture Dad."
Pointing across the green, Tetley said, "look the pub is called the Stag Inn. Quite appropriate for us", he went on laughing.
"It was once called the Buck Inn, but the name changed to The Stag in 1888", Grizzly told us.
Reaching the far left corner we saw the Village Hall. "It was built as a Conservative and Unionist Club 1911-12. It became the village hall in 1963", Grizzly informed us.
"Thank you pal, for adding interest to our day", said Shaun. Then issuing instructions said, "we take the path down the side of that pink painted house."
The surface becoming rough it dropped steeply down....
...to a footbridge over Dufton Gill.
As we crossed Southey said, "climb ahead ignoring the left and right turns to the stile onto Wood Lane."
There Southey said, "follow the good wide grassy track, as it turns left, and then always left at t-junctions, which will lead to the bridge over Brampton Beck."
Allen was reading the instructions. "There is mention of stepping stones as an alternative to cross the beck."
"As you have not got your stick, it may be best to avoid them", stated Tetley.
"I fully intend to", Dad replied.
After the bridge the path swung right and we came to a ford.
"This is were the stepping stones are supposed to be", pointed Little Eric. "They seem to have disappeared since the walk was published long ago."
Dad then zoomed in on the beck to get these reflections. "Hmm, lovely", mused Allen.
Following the wide shadowed track we climbed to the road at Brampton. "Go left through the hamlet to signed path over stile on right, and then diagonally right to another stile", informed Shaun.
By which is this warning sign.
We looked about, but there was no sign of a bull. Tetley remarked, "we have walked through fields with bulls quite a lot over the years, but never have we been bothered. Just their eyes following us."
Climbing the long pasture ahead, Croft Ends came into view with its caravan park. Through the gate and past a black barn to then pass the house...
...where in the garden is this statue flanked by tall stones.
At the road went left, Dad's progress being halted by Little Eric's call, "look another post box, again dating from the reign of King George V. I am really doing well today."
"At the corner, we want the lane right that leads to Keld Farm", advised Southey, looking up from the map.
"Aww look at that little pony", pointed Allen.
Then as we passed the farmhouse, Grizzly said, "those planters are beautiful."
"Take the stile to the left here", pointed Shaun. "Cross to that gate then over the Settle-Carlisle railway line."
Following the grassy way Dad climbed a stile then over one directly opposite. "Climb the slope to another stile to pass Castrigg, and through a gate" instructed Shaun.
There the path went right and then left by the boundary coming to a stile at bottom and on a short way to join a track.
"This was once part of the Roman Road from Brough to Carlisle", said Grizzly.
"Hmm, could do with those Roman engineers to do some maintenance", said Tetley with a chuckle.
Further on Allen said, "well it looks like they have done this section."
At the road it was right under the A66 and on into...
Dad strode out, but was stopped by Grizzly calling out. "Look there's one of those railway boundary posts, like we saw at Bolton-le-Sands. This one of course means Midland Railway."
"Well spotted pal", said Tetley. "You are eagle eyed."
The initial section took us then along the road called Battlebarrow. "Another post box", cheered Little Eric.
Eventually it was just a matter of going left up the steep hill the station.
"That was a super walk", said Southey. "Thanks Dad as always for taking us."
"You are welcome, lads."
"And for me even more enjoyable as there are no sheep pictures", shouted Allen.
At the station Dad approached a lady to see if tea was available. "No, I'm just supplying the trains. However you should try the Riverside Cafe, by the bridge over the river."
Thankfully Dad was in time to enjoy a pot of tea and two delicious pieces of cake, while sitting outside. He admitted to being a bit of a pig, but we reckon he deserved it.
On the grass just by were these flowerpot animals, making a nice picture to round off our story.
As he crossed to return to the car the lady at the station was passing in hers and stopped, saying, "Did you get your cake and tea?".
"Yes, and it was delicious".
Then as she drove off Dad called out, "Thank you for the recommendation."
"You're welcome" she called back.
So after another grand day out, we headed straight home.