Allen and Tetley were sitting quietly reading, when Shaun, Grizzly and Little Eric trotted in.
"Ooh tea", cheered Allen. "I'm..."
"gasping for a cuppa", finished Tetley, laughing out loud. The day you do not want tea Allen, we will know that you're not well!" Then looking, he went on "no cake tins?"
"That's because I have given Grizzly and Little Eric a day off", called out Southey, strolling in. "I have made scones. There are cheese, cherry and ginger, and sultana. There is butter and jam to spread on them."
"Ooh great pal", cried Tetley. "You are absolutely ace at making scones. They are sure to be scrumptious."
So we settled down with steaming mugs in paw and Southey's quite delicious scones on our plates.
"Mmm", said Grizzly, "I love the cherry and ginger. So tasty."
"The cheese too", added Little Eric. "They have a real bite to the flavour."
There was nothing but silence from Allen, who had scoffed three in short order and was busily spreading butter and raspberry jam on a sultana one.
"Huh", laughed Tetley. "You are really living up to your reputation as a cake stuffer today."
"Mmm", agreed Allen through a mouthful. Then having swallowed in he said, "they are all absolutely scrumptious. Thank you pal!"
"Dad has said he will take up walking on Wednesday. The weather looks to be ok, but we need to come up with a suggestion."
Tetley replied, "it was a pity that we did not get to see the platform of Heversham railway station, but Dad was struggling a bit with his leg."
"That's why I have a suggestion", replied Shaun. "We had already planned the section from Milnthorpe to see that. From there we can then walk into Heversham to the church, and then go right along Woodhouse Lane. After crossing the old railway track take the path right that will bring us down past Lower Haverflatts and the road. At the crossroads go left then left across the fields to Ackenthwaite and so back to Milnthorpe."
"That's sounds a good route", replied Little Eric.
Allen had been following it on the OS maps app. "Right, I've got that in my mind. I'll go and see what Dad thinks."
After he had gone, Grizzly said, "I know he has had a few mugs of tea, but he will still have room for more, so better fill his mug."
"I was thinking the same", replied Shaun.
He was soon back, the smile on his face telling us Dad had agreed. "Thanks", he said to Shaun accepting the mug.
"Roll on Wednesday", cheered Southey.
We awoke to find it was to be a cloudy day with hardly any wind, and mild too after the very cold weather last week.
We settled in the car, calling,"goodbye to our pals."
"Take care", called back Ralph. "Look after Dad."
It is less than half an hour to Milnthorpe, Dad pulling into the car park along Park Road once again, that overlooks the playing fields.
Soon ready we got settled in the rucksack, Shaun saying "turn left, then soon go right along the access to Birkett Farm."
The path soon became a narrow hedged byway, that was muddy.
Looking at the signpost, Tetley said, "it leads to Church Street that is the A6 out of the village. It was called Church Street, because originally there was no church in Milnthorpe and villagers had to worship at the church in Heversham which now is along the side road off the A6"
Grizzly said, "Indeed until 1st July 1927 the road went through Heversham. On that day The Prince's Way was declared open by the then Prince of Wales who was later to become King Edward VIII. The roads through Heversham and Leasgill are narrow, it was a welcome development to take traffic away, and kept them villages."
Looking at the map, Southey said, "we do not go all the way on the byway, but at the sharp right corner climb the stile into the field ahead."
Keeping by the left boundary it was through a gap stile, Shaun then advising, "we should cross to the right side by the houses, and climb the stile in the cross wall.
"I call these pinch stiles", remarked Dad, seeing the narrow gap between the stones.
"There's quite a view to Morecambe Bay. Bit dark due to the cloud, but we can see some patches of low lying mist of the Furness Peninsula", commented Allen.
"Right now by the boundary to the A6", instructed Shaun.
This was accomplished by these steps, Tetley saying, "the provision of the rail is very helpful to people who are perhaps less able."
Passing this milestone, telling us it is 7 miles to Kendal and 1/2 mile to Milnthorpe, Grizzly commented it was placed here when Cumbria was two separate counties. The county of Westmorland here and that with Cumberland disappeared in the reorganisation in 1973. In a way it has gone full circle in that while the whole area is still called Cumbria, it is again split into Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council. taking effect last April."
"What goes around comes around", remarked Allen. "The milestone could do with some renovation, like those in the Lune Valley in Lancashire, where the stone has been repainted cream and the lettering outlined in black."
Dad had crossed the road to walk on the pavement, but soon we reached the walls of the bridge under which the railway once ran. "The station is on the west side of the road, stated Tetley.
So we carefully recrossed and peered over. "Ooh yes the platform is indeed still there", called out Little Eric.
Grizzly told us, "Heversham station was on the line that ran from Arnside with a station at Sandside, over the Bela Viaduct and through here to join what is now known as the West Coast Mainline at Hincaster Junction. The line and station opened 1st July 1890, and operated until its closure on 4th May 1942. A popular train that ran through the station, was called the Kendal Tommy, linking Grange-over-Sands with Kendal. After passenger services ceased, typically 6-8 freight trains chugged past the station each day until the line closed in 1966."
"Thank you pal", said Tetley. "Every day's a school day."
Looking over the bridge on the opposite side of the road to the track bed towards Hincaster, Allen said, "we have walked parts of this with Uncle Eric."
Walking on immediately the view opened out. "That's Heversham Head", pointed Shaun.
"That has been climbed twice, both with Uncle Eric. First on 31st December 2002 just Shaun and I", said Tetley. "Then by Shaun, Grizzly, Allen and I on 17th January 2007."
"Perhaps Dad you could take Little Eric and I up there", asked Southey.
"Aye lads. Come up with an idea."
Soon we left the A6 and strolled into Heversham. "A post box", called out Little Eric. "Another bagged."
Soon we reached a junction by which stands the impressive St Peter's Church.
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For Grizzly's sake we wanted to visit, but sadly the door was locked. "Never mind pals. Let me tell you a bit about the building. It is the oldest church in the historic county of Westmorland. The oldest fabric in the present church dates from the 12th century. Additions and alterations were made during the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Rebuilding took place following a fire in 1601. A considerable restoration was undertaken in 1868 by the architects Paley and Austin of Lancaster who also added the tower. The restoration included rebuilding the north arcade, partly rebuilding the chancel arch, renewing the roofs of the chancel and the aisles, and replacing the seating in the church. The plan consists of a three-bay nave with clerestory a two-bay chancel, north and south aisles with chapels at the east end, a north vestry, a south porch and west tower that has a pyramidal roof. It is a Grade II* listed building."
"Thank you for the most comprehensive history lesson", said Shaun. ""Our route now takes us along Woodhouse Lane to the right of the church."
Pointing Allen called out, "look at that legend on the house about the lane."
As we strolled along past the houses Dad commented, "it is indeed narrow in places, but we've been on much steeper ones."
Glancing at the map, Southey replied, "we are not walking its full length. It maybe gets steeper further on."
At the end of the houses it crossed to old railway, and then bent left. Rounding the corner, Shaun said, "climb the ladderstile on the right."
We crossed the field to the far side, but could not see a way through the boundary. Dad crossed a fallen wall right, but to no avail.
Shaun and Southey huddled over the map. "This is the wrong way. Go back Dad. The stile is in the facing boundary from where we crossed the ladderstile."
Doing as they said following the hedge, Tetley soon called out, "here's the stile. We had gone too far right initially."
Looking back, Little Eric said, "Look at that ancient tree. Its original upper section has collapsed but it's regrowing.
The route was clear now across the muddy ploughed field to a gap stile. "Walk the few yards up by the hedge then go sharp right", advised Southey.
After a stone step stile the waymarked route was by the hedge on left passing Higher Haverflatts away to the left.
Coming to a corner we passed through the gap stile and then went right few yards to the ladderstile. The nails had rotted such that the top platform dropped down when Dad stood on it! "Ooh", cried Tetley, "that made me jump."
Getting down Dad missed his footing and bent his injured leg! "Ouch", he shouted.
"Are you all right", said Little Eric, worriedly.
He stood for a minute or so before saying, "I'm ok."
We've been on this section before with Uncle Eric", commented Allen. "The path keeps by the hedge then drifts right to pass Lower Haverflatts.
Reaching a gate, Shaun instructed, "left through it and then straight across to the stile onto Haverflatts Lane, then turn right."
Ahead we now had a fine view of St Anthony's Tower. "Is that a satellite dish in the window, pointed Tetley."
Grizzly was armed with information once again. "The tower was built by Henry Smithies to commemorate the passing of the 1832 Reform Bill. It is a folly in the shape of a Tower. Circular with two stories and five window openings. The door is approached by a flight of external steps. It is visible as a landscape feature for some considerable distance all round. Notably too from Dallam Towers whose owner in 1832 prevented any further extension of development along Church Street in Milnthorpe so that his view of the folly from his house was not obscured. It is Grade II listed."
"Rather like a former owner of Armathwaite Hall who had the road that passed the front of the hall diverted and at such a level that the view to the lake was not spoilt", commented Allen.
Coming to the crossroads...
...Southey advised, "take the lane left signed to Ackenthwaite, and then at a bend over the stile to the left."
This was a little awkward as besides being a narrow gap stile there was a drop on the far side. Still Dad managed if a little in elegantly!
Beyond the route was clear across the undulating field the dips being a bit flooded. Farleton Fell forms the backdrop.
At the far side the path drifted right to a gate. "Hmm", said Allen. "I wonder how deep that is?"
Not too much as it turned out, Grizzly saying, "well it provided an opportunity to wash the mud off your boots Dad."
At the end of the track Southey suggested, "Let's sit on the wall for our picture."
"Thanks", said Shaun, as we settled in the rucksack. "It's right now to the main road at Ackenthwaite."
At the corner of Kirkgate Lane with the B6385, Little Eric called out, "look at postbox. Dating from the reign of King George VI. Another one for my collection."
Turning right we headed towards Dallam School and these cottages...
...this ornamented arched stone window surround indicating they were built in 1868.
"Look", called out Little Eric. "Another post box. I recall that I have already bagged it on a walk with Uncle Eric. Still it will make a colourful picture in this story."
In Milnthorpe historical information boards abound, so we thought we would share some of the things we saw.
First is Red Barn, currently occupied by T.T. Carpets.
Dating from c1750, it was traditionally a 'bonded warehouse' associated with the Port of Milnthorpe. Being situated on the route connecting the port's activities on the Kent Estuary to the old main road that ran through Crooklands, it was close to Carr's Yard, the home of a family of carriers, and to Harmony Hall built by Joseph Fayrer, a sea captain and slave trader. In 1840 the barn was occupied by George Whittaker who made his fortune importing guano from South America for use as fertilizer. 'At this period its woodwork was always painted red', hence the name.
On the opposite side stands Laburnum House.
Dating from c1828 the house, possibly designed by George Webster, is said to have contained Milnthorpe's first water closet. In the 1830s the Misses Burrow ran a girls' school here. Later residents include Dr Wilson in the 1850s, Dr McLeod in c1910 and, in the interwar period, the Kendal brewer A J Miles, whose son Richard won the DFC in 1941. In 1954 the house attracted worldwide attention when the tenant, Dr Edward Hopkinson, claimed, after his electricity had been cut off, to have illuminated his house by generating power from an 'atomic egg'. Eventually after a sensational trial 'Dr Hoppy' was found 'guilty of stealing electricity from the public supply'.
Reaching the green in front of the church we saw the war memorial.
This was unveiled on 11th November 1919 to the 21 'lads' killed in the First World War, and was one of the very first in the nation to be erected. For its centenary in 2019, Harry Bond's name, previously omitted, was added. The names of the six Second World War fatalities and, also one National Serviceman are inscribed on the west side of the memorial. The original decorative chains between the bollards were removed in the 1950s. The Portland stone cross and the surrounding gardens are maintained by the Parish Council.
The Sycamore Trees on the green were planted for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The seat around the north west tree commemorates Queen Elizabeth's II Silver Jubilee in 1977.
And finally the Flag Pole in the Churchyard marks the coronation of King Charles's III in 2023.
Crossing the green we came upon this plinth. It is made from stones recovered from the Bela Viaduct, that was completed in 1860 and demolished in 1963.
Just beyond is the Market Square.
In 1334 King Edward III granted a Charter to Alexander de Windysore permitting a weekly market on Wednesdays and a fair on St Peter's Day 29th June. Later Friday became Market Day and the Petertide Fair was replaced by a Cattle Fair held on 12th May and a 'back end fair' in the autumn. The Cattle Fairs ceased in 1929 but the spring and autumn fun fairs can still be held. In 1931 the Dallam Tower and Levens Hall estates as joint Lords of the Manor granted 'controlling the conduct of the Square' to the Parish Council.
So suitably enlightened and educated, we crossed the A6 and walked through the Cross Keys car park and along a path to Park Road car park.
"That was a very nice and interesting walk". said Allen.
"Yes" agreed Tetley, "and we have learnt so much. Thank you Grizzly for all your research.
"River Bela Cafe now?", said Little Eric.
"Yes lad and of course you can come in and sit on the table that we will be sharing with Sarah's dad Bill.
Dad had a brie bacon and cranberry pannini with chips. Tea of course, Then finished with and delicious apple and sultana crumble and custard. Martyn's daughter Jasmine came in with partner Ryan. Lovely to meet them, and Dad had a nice chat. They knew about him already and his teddy collecting. Lots of nice chat with Bill and of course Martyn and Sarah.
Rounded off a good day.
