Allen and Southey were huddled over the laptop. "What are you looking at pals?", asked Tetley as he trotted into the room.
"The pictures Dad took on that super walk from Forton", replied Southey.
"There are plenty for us to make a good account of the adventure", went on Allen. Then glancing out of the door he saw Shaun with Little Eric and Grizzly approaching. "Oh tea and cakes. Just the ticket."
"I know, you're gasping for a cuppa", said Tetley laughing.
"Me too", called out Southey.
"You two are as bad as each other", laughed Shaun, as he made to fill the mugs.
Little Eric opened the cake tins. "There are Chorley cakes with butter from Grizzly. My contribution is chocolate coated flapjack."
"Wonderful", cheered Tetley, as we all dug in.
Murmurs of contentment were heard. Southey took another Chorley cake. "They are delicious, Grizzly. "You deserve an ACCM. Ace Chorley Cake Maker, award."
Laughing Grizzly replied, "thanks pal."
"Love the flapjack, Little Eric", said Shaun. "A ACFM, for you."
By now Tetley was rolling about with laughter. "What are you all like."
Well, after all the merriment, our thoughts turned to walking. "There's a day down to walk with Uncle Eric next Tuesday", said Little Eric. looking up from the iPad."
"We've not got any ideas just now, but it was our suggestion last time, so let's hope Uncle Eric can suggest something", responded Allen.
He did when he and Dad talked on the phone, and here is the account of our adventure.
Following this Shaun told us that the start was on the A684 at the layby opposite the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal. We there there in good time and Dad got ready.
Uncle Eric who lives in Kendal walked up from home, Allen calling out, "I can see him approaching."
As he arrived we called out, "good morning."
"Nice to see you lads, and you Barnaby & Lee", who always go to see Uncle Eric. This stems from the time that they worked together on the team to computerise the commercial business at Provincial Insurance. Barnaby always came to work with Dad. Uncle Eric liked him and the way he growls.
So ready we crossed the road, Uncle Eric saying, "we go through the gap stile on the path signed Spindle Woods and Paddy Lane adjacent to the access to Castle Green Hotel."
Narrow and between tall moss covered walls it climbed steadily.
The track took us over the West Coast Mainline, but just before, Tetley pointed, "look at that chimney like structure in the grounds to the right."
"And there's is a bridge further into the woodland", added Allen.
Southey was looking at the map. "There is a house presumably associated with this estate, but it is not named."
When we got home Grizzly our researcher set about seeing what he could find. "The house is called Birklands. It was lived in by William Wakefield J.P. in 1881 and 1891. He was a banker and ran the Kendal Bank business that had been passed down from his grandfather and father. As for Birklands there is little or no information. There is a photograph but it has to be purchased."
"Well even though there is little information, we are wiser than we were before", said Little Eric.
Beyond the railway we passed through a gate and across the field, to another gate, and then on keeping by the hedge on the right to climb the stile.
Here there was this stream by the path.
Looking at the map Allen suggested, "we were now in an area called Singleton Park."
There are many mature trees, Shaun suggesting, "take some pictures Dad."
Striding on by the stream this was then forded, and we continued on to pass under the electricity line, and then with the hedge to the right to come to another gate.
"We bear slightly left to that gate", pointed Southey. There it was across two more fields passing left of Singleton Park Farm.
That's Hayfell with its twin summit of Benson Knott", pointed Tetley.
"Significant as the street where we live is named after Hayfell", commented Shaun.
This last field led to a substantial stone step stile...
...onto Paddy Lane.
"That's a super view across to Kendal with the distant Coniston Fells forming a backdrop", called out Little Eric.
Here we met gentleman from Northampton. He was on a extended holiday that had taken him to Yorkshire, Northumberland. Now here he was enjoying exploring the area, before going on to Goathland. Areas that Dad, us and some of our other pals know very well. Quite a chat followed.
Strolling along Paddy Lane we came to Greyhound House at a crossroads.
Uncle Eric said, "this was once the Greyhound Inn. It served the navvies when the railway was being built. However once they moved on there was no trade so it closed down."
"Thank you", said Grizzly. "Another interesting fact we have learned."
Minutes later the view opened out. "Wow", called out Tetley. "That's a superb view of Longsleddale. The Kentmere Fells are behind on the left. To the right is the ridge that divides it from Bannisdale."
Shaun remarked, "I recall that time we were heading up to the end of the road at Sadgill. You stopped to use the toilets, then setting off we met a tractor and you had to back up."
Oh yes lad. Then setting off again we met yet another tractor. I wish I had not needed to use the toilets."
"Happy days", laughed Tetley.
"We are looking for a stile left signed to Fowl Ing", said Uncle Eric.
"Here it is", called out Southey a little later.
In fact the stile is now redundant, and the route is a wide concrete track.
"It must have cost thousands to lay this", commented Grizzly.
It meandered down hill, to cross the railway, where the track was rough only to continue as concrete on the far side.
For a few seconds we were mystified, only for Uncle Eric to clarify. "The section of the bridge is owned by Network Rail."
Cows were grazing in the field adjacent to the bridge, Dad snapping a couple of shots. "At least it not sheep", said Allen. "I am really having a good run with no sheep pictures in the last few stories", he cheered.
Onwards the track led us to Jenkin Crag Farm, passing through the buildings.
"I love the design of the logo on that van", said Shaun with a chuckle. "I wonder what the business is about exactly."
Never fear our ace researcher Grizzly soon had the answer when we got home. "They make footbaths for cows, helping to keep the hoofs clean and prevent lameness. The baths contain chemical solutions that the hoofs are dipped in as the cows walk through.
As we strolled on we paused as Southey said looking up from the map, "that is Jenkin Crag from which the farm takes its name."
Eventually the track led down to the tarmac Fowl Ing Lane and into the Sandylands Estate. Uncle Eric knowing this well said, "left here along Broad Ing to Sandylands Road, where we turn right."
This took us past Sandylands Post Office.
"Please take a picture of the post box for my collection", called out Little Eric. "It's another dating from the reign of King George V."
"It has one of those wonderful knitted toppers", said Tetley. "Please take a close-up Dad."
The road led to the A684, Castle Green Lane, where it was left to the car.
"There's another post box", pointed Little Eric. "This one dates from the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II"
Dad knew the drill getting the camera out and snapping a picture.
Arriving at the car, Allen exclaimed, "we've not had our picture taken for the story. We have to appear at least once in every one."
"Let's sit on the wall", suggested Shaun.
"What a lovely walk", said Tetley. "Thank you Uncle Eric for suggesting it."
"You are welcome lads."
Dad then offered to take Uncle Eric home, but he wanted to do some shopping, so he dropped him off on Aynam Road, by the footbridge over the river.
Another good day and some more of the countryside explored.
