Southey was peering at the iPad, when Allen and Tetley trotted in. Looking up he said, "Happy New Year pals."
"And to you", answered Allen and Tetley in unison.
"What are you looking at?" asked Allen.
"The list of 2024 walks. 45 in all. A decent number despite latterly Dad suffering from his hamstring injury that perhaps kept us in."
"The weather played a part too", replied Tetley. "It was a poor summer with not a lot of sun, and there was plenty of rain through the year which forestalled us."
"Well at least there won't be a water shortage", laughed Allen.
Southey said, "I was looking at the weather for this week. Pretty good for either Thursday or Friday. I know Dad is suffering but perhaps we could come up with a short walk to suggest to get our 2025 walks under way?"
"We need to get our thinking caps on", replied Allen. "I do best with a mug of tea in paw and cake."
Tetley let out a bellow of laughter. "Just what I expected from the President of The Teddy Bear Tea Belly and Cake Stuffers Society."
In answer to his plea, Shaun strolled in with Grizzly and Little Eric, bearing the flasks and cake tins.
"Happy New Year pals", Allen Southey and Tetley called out.
"Thanks", came the unison reply, and "Happy New Year to you all."
Soon the tea was poured and we had cakes on our plates. "The Chorley Cakes are scrumptious, Grizzly", said Tetley.
"Thanks pal."
"Little Eric, love the chocolate coated flapjack", said Allen with a look of delight on his face, as he took another piece.
Southey then updated them with his thoughts.
"Hmm" mused Shaun. "For the sake of Dad's leg maybe three miles will be enough. Let's get the OS Maps app open and have a scroll around."
"How about seeing if there is anything we can work out going up the A6", suggested Grizzly.
This brought us to Milnthorpe. "The River Bela Cafe is closed until next week, but Dad did say he might pop in to see how the redecorating is going", mused Little Eric. "Always providing Martyn and Sarah are there."
Peering Shaun pointed, "there's a path from the back of the square that leads over the fields to Paradise Lane and Beetham. That will be new."
"Ok", agreed Allen. "Then we can take the path by the paper mill and then get into Dallam Park, and back to Milnthorpe. That will probably be about the distance we were thinking off."
"I agree", replied Tetley. "We could then perhaps go along here past the farm and up to the A6 to perhaps see if the platforms of Heversham Station still exist. But that can be optional depending on how Dad feels."
"Right we are agreed", said Allen, draining his mug and going off to see what Dad says.
"Better fill his mug", said Tetley. "He has hollow legs I'm sure."
Soon back, Allen said, "thanks Shaun", as he accepted the steaming mug of tea. "Dad is happy to give it a go. He says Friday is the best day for him."
"Great" cheered Southey.
"Roll on Friday", called out Grizzly.
It is a quite short and very familiar drive to Milnthorpe, being as Dad goes very regularly to the River Bela Cafe to enjoy the lovely food provided by Martyn and Sarah, and chat with them and many other customers that he has got to know.
As we passed Tetley called out, "they are there. That's their car at the front."
Turning left at the traffic lights it was just a short way along Park Road to the large car park. As he stepped out, Dad said, "ooh it's a bit slippy with ice."
As he got his boots and coat on, we got settled and snuggled in the rucksack.
This shouldered, Shaun said, "turn right out of the car park and walk up to the traffic lights and cross the A6 into the square of the village."
"Hmm", said Tetley, "the market is on, but there are not many stalls."
"An even less people", stated Southey, looking about.
"That's the old market cross", pointed Allen.
"I can tell you a bit about it", said Grizzly. "The shaft in sandstone on a limestone octagonal base possibly dates from the 18th century, the top probably being a 19th century addition or repair. In 1823 there is reference to 'the new cross'. It was taken down in 1845 and re-erected on top of a lock-up built on its site during the construction of the railway when there was rioting locally. The lock-up was taken down in 1862 and the cross replaced on the ground in its original position. It carries grade II listing."
"Thank you pal as always for the history lesson", replied Little Eric.
"Keep on the right side of the square and to the right of the church", instructed Shaun.
"Now where are my notes", mused Grizzly. "Ah, here they are. This is St Thomas's Church. It is constructed in limestone with sandstone dressings and was built in 1835-37 to a design by the Kendal architect George Webster, providing accommodation for a congregation of 600. The chancel was added in 1883 by Joseph Bintley. Before its construction parishioners had to attend St Peter's Church, Heversham that is recorded as the oldest church in Westmorland. This is why the road north from the traffic lights is called Church Street."
"Thank you once again pal", said Tetley.
As we continued, Southey said, "I can see the signpost pointing right for our path, by the gate. Looks like we perhaps go through that."
However as we got there Shaun said, "actually it's along this narrow fenced/walled track, the signpost reading Paradise Lane, our destination. "
Due to the low sun Dad could not get a picture, Instead he took this looking back as we neared the pinch stile into pasture.
Onwards with the hedge on the right, waymarks pointing the route to a stile by a gate. Then pointing to a gate a few yards right, Shaun said. "that's the way."
Crossed the field and through this pinch stile at a wall corner...
... and on with the hedge/fence to left.
"Oh nooooo", cried Allen, seeing sheep grazing, and seeing Dad getting the camera out again. "There goes the sheep picture free story. Not a good start to 2025."
A few minutes later we reached and climbed the stile onto narrow Paradise Lane. It is in a poor state of repair and is closed to traffic as indicated at its junction with the A6.
Before doing this we looked back on our route, the pinch stile being in the centre to the left of the thick hedge.
"That stand of trees on the hill will perhaps make a nice picture", suggested Little Eric.
At the A6, Shaun advised, "cross carefully then go left to just past the paper mill and then take the path right by the River Bela."
"That's the bridge that carries the A6 over it", pointed Tetley.
"I'm sorry pals, but I could not find any information about it", said Grizzly. "Nevertheless quite imposing with its three arches."
"Never mind pal", replied Tetley, "Thanks for trying."
The path skirted the paper mill, with the River Bela to the left...
...that then passes under the footbridge, with the paper mill right and the Heron Corn Mill left.
"The river drops over a weir" pointed Grizzly. "The Heron Corn Mill is a working 18th century mill its power being provided by the river via the mill race and exterior waterwheel."
Crossing the mill car park that we have used many times, Shaun pointed, "it's through that narrow gate, and walk path between the lines of trees."
Part way along a waymark helpfully indicated the direction. Tetley remarked, "they must have had sheep and bears in mind due to its height."
"Hmm" agreed Shaun, jumping out to illustrate his point.
At the top of the rise a stile gave access to the wide expanse of Dallam Deer Park. Frequent waymarks indicated the footpath, a sign asking walkers to keep to it.
"That's the Deer House", pointed Allen.
"Yes" agreed Grizzly. "I made a note of the Historic England official listing. Described as 'Deer Shed or pillared barn. Probably early 19th century. Limestone rubble, graduated greenslate roof with stone ridge. Hipped slated canopy to 3 sides supported on Doric columns.' It is grade II listed."
"It suffered fire damage in 2021", went on Tetley. "It is good to see that it has been fully restored during last year."
Looking beyond Southey pointed, "there's the deer. Sadly too far away for a picture and we must not stray from the footpath."
A cairn with direction arrows on top marks a path junction. "Let's sit on top for our picture for this story", suggested Little Eric.
There was just about enough room, Southey saying, "I'll hang onto you Allen so you do not fall."
Settled again we looked about. "What a super view to Whitbarrow Scar", pointed Shaun. "We've had a few walks climbing and exploring it over the years."
"Beautiful too of the River Bela passing under Milnthorpe Bridge on it final stretch to join the River Kent."
"I have some notes about the bridge.", said Grizzly. "Ahh here they are. It was built in 1813 to take the new Turnpike road from Milnthorpe over the River Bela. The official description goes 'Squared coursed limestone with ashlar dressings. Single segmental arch flanked by pilasters; sloping parapets with string at carriageway level and pilasters to each end'. It is Grade II listed."
"Thank you pal once again. Such interest and knowledge you bring to our adventures", praised Southey.
Strolling on Allen called out quietly, "It wasn't the full herd we saw distantly. There's a large number over there"
"They are fallow deer", informed Grizzly. "There has been a herd in the park for perhaps a few hundred years."
Shortly to the left we had a fine view of Dallam Towers.
Once again Grizzly educated us. "Dallam Tower is a Grade I listed country house. It is not open to the public except for occasional charity events and as a wedding venue. The house is described as 'early 18th century with 17th century core, remodelled in early 19th century'. It has rainwater pipes dated 1722; its interiors including panelling by Gillow of Lancaster. Historically a pele tower was built on the site in about 1375 but demolished when the present house was built 1720-23. A plan dated 1614 indicates that at that time there was a house with formal gardens."
The footpath led to this old bridge to reach the road.
An information plaque told us - This bridge over the River Bela was built in 1763 at a cost of £90. The contractors were Robert Robinson, a Freemason, and Robert Bindloss, a waller. It replaced a bridge 20 yards upstream near the steps built in 1542, from the bequest of Edmund Pearson, a tanner, for 'the supportation and making of a bridge at the end of Milnthorpe'. Until 1813 the road to Arnside crossed the bridge and took the line of the public footpath across the Park to Dallam Tower and then over the hill to Sandside. Horse troughs were formerly on the west side of the bridge.
And to round off our account, here is a lovely shot of the River Bela from the bridge.
Just a short walk along the road brought us back to the car park.
"That was a super walk", cheered Southey. "So much to see in just the short distance."
"Thank you Dad as always", added Tetley.
And a special thanks to you Grizzly, for all the information that added so much to our adventure", praised Shaun.
"You are welcome. I'm just annoyed that I could not find anything about the A6 bridge at Beetham."
As we returned home Dad popped in to see Martyn and Sarah and Sarah's dad Bill at the River Bela Cafe. It was closed as they were just completing repainting etc., ready for reopening next Tuesday.
"Looks really good", Dad told us. "I'm booked in for Tuesday, and will be there Wednesday too after seeing Dennis."
"You've really missed it", said Tetley.
"I have pal. Had to do my own cooking. Not something I enjoy."