As Grizzly had predicted it was an overcast day. We met Uncle Eric at the large layby by the River Kent at Barley Bridge. We had parked here many times over the years for different walks.
"Good morning Uncle Eric, nice to see you", called out Grizzly.
"Good to see you lads." Then he said hello to Barnaby and Lee who always go along to see him.
Uncle Eric explained, "the published route starts from the station, and the intention is to arrive by train. There is no parking at the station, hence us meeting here."
While Dad got his boots on we settled ourselves in the rucksack, ready for the off.
Along Kentmere Road we strolled back towards the village. "Ooh there's a post box. Another for my collection", called out Little Eric.
Seeing it leaning, Allen laughed, "looks like it has had one too many."
At a junction we passed the nicely kept war memorial.
Further along to the left stands the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel.
We could see that is was erected in 1876. Uncle Eric said, "it closed in 1991 and is now a residence."
Emerging on to the main road we crossed to come by the River Gowan. Shaun said, "the bridge carries Station Road, that obviously leads to the railway station. Unlike the bridge that carries the main road this survived the ravages of Storm Desmond in 2015."
"That was truly a terrible storm", said Tetley. "So much destruction and thousands of houses flooded. Cumbria was particularly affected. In Lancaster the electricity station was flooded from the River Lune. There were power cuts until standby generators were brought in while it was repaired."
Along the main street Little Eric called out, "another post box for my collection"
As you can see preparations were being made for its repainting. Dad engaged the gentleman from Royal Mail who was getting ready to do it. He said. "it is my job to look after and maintain them." Indeed it looked very smart as we passed it on the drive home. He told us "there are some very remote ones that I wondered why they were put there in the first place. Apparently it is because in the past people in authority like priests and councillors had to have one nearby."
"Another interesting fact we have learnt", said Southey.
"That's an old sign", pointed Uncle Eric. "Martins Bank was swallowed up by Barclays Bank."
Later Grizzly did some research. "The sub-Branch was closed by Barclays in the early 1990s. The building has continuously had the word 'bank' on it over over a century. Staveley sub-branch dates back to the days of Messrs.. Wakefield Crewdson and the Kendal Bank, and is amongst a number of Martins Bank's sub-Branches that were found literally in the front room of someone's house. Such Branches always opened for just a few hours each week giving the local pub, post office and perhaps butchers and bakers the chance to pay in their takings and obtain change at a time when travel outside the village environment was enjoyed by relatively few people." We acknowledge website martinsbank.co.uk as the source of this information.
Striding on we passed the pub...
...and on out of the village to just before the level crossing.
"Left here on to the Dales Way", instructed Shaun.
Minutes later we arrived at a three-armed signpost Shaun said, "the Dales Way goes left and will be our return route. For now we take the right fork."
This eventually brought us to a tall stone step stile. "This is going to be a bit of a challenge to get over", commented Dad.
The picture was taken after he and Uncle Eric had safely negotiated it.
Onwards across the pasture we kept to the right by the wall to another slightly less challenging stone step stile. Then keeping ahead we crossed the rough pasture, the path a little indistinct, to join a narrow private road by a signpost. Here Uncle Eric approaches the road.
At the grass triangle the route was left over the cattle grid. "Look that gorse is coming into flower. It is so early. The plants don't seem to know what season it is with our mixed up weather", commented Allen.
The lane led to Cragg Farm.
Reading the instructions Southey said, "climb the steps left and then go right over the grass to a waymarked gate."
The path then crossed rough pasture and through an open iron gate. "We should keep left here to descend to Cowan Head", advised Southey.
The path dropped down to take us through sheep pens to the road. "We have rejoined the Dales Way" advised Shaun.
"Another post box" cheered Little Eric. "I know I have bagged this before but it will make a colourful picture."
Cowan Head is a large apartment complex that was once the site of a paper mill.
Walking through we passed cottages once occupied my the mill workers.
From the mill pond the River Kent stretched away, our route being on the path alongside.
The path was narrow and close to the river at first. Soon then we came to Hagg Bridge.
"This was another victim on Storm Desmond. The old bridge had a stone support in the centre of the river. The design of the new bridge should prevent it being washed away again", remarked Tetley.
"We crossed this back in May on the walk from Burneside that took us via Potter Tarn", said Grizzly.
Looking over the fence, Allen mused, "I wonder if that ironwork is from the old bridge?"
Later Grizzly looked up a picture of the old bridge and said, "I am sure you were right pal."
Passing this opening, Southey remarked, "those are really enormous old gateposts.
Onwards via kissing gates and ladderstiles, by the river...
...to eventually come by a wood on right. There was a stone step stile we had to climb to the path through it, our progress being stopped by four runners coming the other way. "Oh to be young again", mused Dad.
Little Eric said, "this will be a good place to our picture. We must appear in each story."
At the far side of the wood the ladderstile had been provided with a helpful rail to ease passage. Then through a gate avoiding a wet area to the left of the wall, we walked to the right corner and through another gate, the path then bending to the right.
There were sheep in the pasture. "Oh no", grumped Allen, as Dad lined up this shot. "There goes the sheep picture free story again!"
Then following the signs the path led us to the junction of our outwards route.
Looking right Shaun said, "the cloud has lifted enough to see all of Reston Scar."
"Aye", sighed Tetley. "We've been to its summit a few times over the years. One of the Wainwright Outlying Fells."
As we retraced out route into Staveley, Grizzly said, "those autumn colours will make a nice picture."
By the large church tower Uncle Eric said, "go right along the riverside path."
"Did not know this existed", commented Dad.
"Look there's a heron", pointed Southey.
The path emerged onto a narrow road where going left brought us to Barley Bridge, passing this building.
The circular stone in the wall indicates this was The Old Corn Mill, with a date of 2005.
What a lovely walk", cheered Tetley. "Thank you so much for suggesting it Uncle Eric."
"You are welcome lads. Glad you enjoyed it."
As we set off home, Allen asked, "how was your leg Dad?"
"Well it hurt most of the time, so the 5 miles was far enough. But I must not give up. Just have to grin and bear it"
