Tea had arrived and cakes too, to the delight of our pal Allen. The arch tea belly and cake stuffer, although these days he has competition from Southey.
Tetley had got the plates and mugs, saying, "I'll lend a paw to fill the mugs."
"Thanks pal", replied Shaun.
Little Eric announced, "Grizzly has made peach and apricot slice, while I have made tiffin again."
"Oh wonderful", cheered Allen, helping himself.
There was quiet for a little while as we enjoyed our refreshment.
"The tiffin is beyond scrumptious", enthused Allen.
"So I see", laughed Tetley, "that must be your fourth piece."
"He's just living up to his reputation", said Southey. "Although I must admit to being on my second piece having had three pieces of peach slice, which is absolutely delicious, Grizzly."
"Thanks pal. Little Eric and I aim to please."
"Of that there is no doubt", stated Shaun. "We never ever take your baking for granted. Thank you both."
"I so enjoy it", replied Little Eric. "It is very calming."
Now our thoughts turned to walking. "We are having some incredibly settled weather, and the forecast is for little change in the day and even weeks to come", commented Shaun. "I wonder if there is space in Dad's diary to get out this week?"
iPad in paw, Tetley said, "Thursday looks to be a good option. First we need to come up with an idea."
"Quite" agreed Allen. "I will be happy to go and ask Dad as usual."
"I have been looking at the map and have a possible suggestion, starting from the old road by the Derby Arms at Witherslack. My idea will not be on completely new ground", said Grizzly.
"Not a worry, it is a lovely area to walk", replied Shaun.
Taking the iPad from Tetley, he quickly opened the OS Maps app, and found the area. Then pointing he said, "we start through Latterbarrow to High Fell End, then continue on the path north to below Yewbarrow. Here I suggest a diversion to the summit.
"Oh yes" agreed Tetley. "Only Shaun and I have climbed that, it will be good for us all to tick it off."
Taking up the conversation again, Grizzly said, "then return to the bridleway to Witherslack Hall Farm, where go left down to the Winster Valley. Then south along the road past Strickland Hill to take the right fork and cut across left on the track to Bleacrag Road. The final section is through the woods at Halecat to Cat Crag and back to the start."
"What a super suggestion pal", enthused Little Eric. "I am sure Dad will agree, especially as Allen is so persuasive."
And indeed this was the case.
A familiar and easy drive to the start, turning right off the A590 and then by the Derby Arms, taking the cul-de-sac left and park in the layby on the section of old road.
"Just look at that beautiful blossom", called out Little Eric. "I just love this time of year. The blossom and the wild flowers in the woods."
As we were getting ready another car pulled in. A couple who were off on their bikes. They saw us, so we got introduced and Dad told them about our adventures. There was some chat too about where we were each going.
Wishing them a good day and Dad now ready and us settled in the rucksack, Shaun instructed, "continue along the road to a track to Latterbarrow Nature Reserve."
"There's certainly no doubting the route", commented Allen, seeing the yellow taped posts, and pointing to the signpost rather hidden in the bushes, reading 'Public Bridleway High Fell End.
Beyond the gate the clear path, open initially, led into woodland.
"Those are pretty flowers", pointed Southey. "What are they called?"
"Cowslips", replied Grizzly. "The flowers are not quite fully open."
The clear waymarked track led through the lovely woodland, passing through gates, the last into a field. Crossing this and through a gate onto a track, these forget-me-nots and dandelions made a lovely sight.
Passing High Fell End...
..we walked the access track to the road.
"Left, round the corner", advised Southey. "Then take the track branching right."
"Is this it?", pointed Tetley, seeing the signpost reading Witherslack Hall
"Yes pal", agreed Southey.
The stony track climbed steadily running above the road to Witherslack village.
"We should ignore any side paths", informed Shaun.
"We have walked up here before", said Allen. "We will eventually come to a junction, where last time we took the descending path left at the waymark."
"You are quite right pal", agreed Southey. "Today though we continue climbing ahead. The path will be steep for a while too. Again ignore any side paths."
This finally brought us to a gate out of the woods onto open fell.
"We should follow that wide grassy track to the left to get to the summit of Yewbarrow."
Leaving it to the right after a little while the summit ridge was reached and the cairn.
Little Eric pointed along the ridge. "There's another cairn. That might be the summit."
Shaun looked at the GPS reading off "4321 8491."
Tetley studied the map, saying, "that agrees with the position of the spot height shown. So this is definitely the summit."
"Thanks pals", replied Little Eric as with the rest of us scrambled out of the rucksack to settle at the cairn for our picture. Then he cheered, "yippee!. Now Allen, Grizzly, Southey and I can say we have ticked this summit off."
Looking north Grizzly said, "what a superb view to the mountains. The Fairfield Horseshoe with to the right Red Screes."
"Aye" sighed Dad. "That was quite a tough day when we last did the horseshoe. Rather hot and exhausting particularly the second half."
"I was so proud of you Dad", replied Little Eric. "It enabled me to complete Wainwright Book 2 Eastern Fells. Thank you."
Settled again, Southey said, "return to the gate and follow the continuing bridleway below Yewbarrow."
Well waymarked, Allen pointed, "that one is bear and sheep sized."
Sheep were grazing and to Allen's annoyance this one posed for Dad. He laughed though. "Well you can see what the others thought about having their picture taken."
The path came by a wall to the right, and then led on by fence and then wall again to a gate. Beyond a fenced path ran diagonally to pass Lawns House...
...and along its access to where it bent right.
"We go left here", called out Shaun.
"What is that large building to the right?", asked Southey.
"It was formerly Witherslack Hall School, but is now known as Oversands School. It is an independent day school providing high quality education for boys and girls with Special Educational Needs such as autism", replied Grizzly.
The track took us through Lawns Wood, where we met the only other person on the walk. A cyclist coming the opposite direction.
"Wow. Just look at that tree", called out Tetley. "It's so tall."
"That dandelion and wild violet will be a nice picture", pointed Allen.
The track, stony at times, meandered on finally dropping down by Knot Wood to the road in the beautiful Winster Valley.
"Go left", instructed Shaun.
The narrow road took us past Askew Green...
...with its personal post box. "Please take a shot for my collection", implored Little Eric.
Then past Strickland Hill Farm...
...indicated by this interesting sign.
"We will come to a junction shortly", said Shaun looking up from the map. "Take the right fork."
There Dad said, "I'm glad about that", seeing the steep hill of the left fork.
After about a third of a mile, Southey said, "go left along this track that will take us to Bleacrag Road, where we turn left."
As we did, Grizzly called out, "that blossom is beautiful.
The lane bent right passing Fern Hill. "Our route will then be to the right on the track signed through the houses" said Allen.
"We've been here before", commented Tetley. "Last time we took the path right to Slate Hill by the houses."
"You are right", replied Shaun. "Today we want the path to Cat Crag."
The track led into beautiful woodland at Halecat eventually becoming a narrow path to a waymark pointing left to this stile.
"It is worth a picture, as it is the only stile on the whole walk", commented Grizzly. "Something quite unusual."
As directed we headed half right over a hill and joined a path that soon became a track and led through a gate. Then on through another gate pass Catcragg Farm and also this old limekiln of a bygone era.
At the main A590, it was left, through the filling station, to then branch off onto the old road and to the car.
"What a lovely and very peaceful walk", cheered Little Eric. "Thank you Grizzly for devising it."
"You are welcome pal. Thank you Dad as always for taking us."
"Aye" agreed Tetley. "It has been another grand day out."
By chance the cyclists arrived back at the same time!! Dad had another little chat. They had had a good time too.
Looking at the time, Allen said, "you'll just about be in time for lunch at River Bela Cafe."
Arriving at 13:50, Sarah commented, "cutting it fine, Gerry.
We of course came in too.
Dad had a brie bacon and cranberry pannini with chips. Tea in his big pot. Then lovely apple pie and custard. He had nice chats with Martyn and Sarah and latterly a little chat with customer Jean.
As we drove home, Shaun said, "I'm now just 5 miles short of 8000! Can't wait to get to that milestone."
