Allen and Southey were huddled over the laptop, with murmurs of satisfaction.
"What are you on with?", asked Tetley.
"Looking at the many pictures Dad took on the walk from Haverigg", replied Southey. "It was such a clear day with no clouds and there are lots and lots of excellent ones to illustrate our adventure."
"It was a super walk", agreed Tetley.
"I have been looking at the map and we could make another one from there, using the England Coast Path, heading in the opposite direction towards Silecroft", stated Allen. "Something to put to Dad, but after we have been away to Whitby."
"Aye Dad has found a walk from Rosedale Abbey on the moors that weather permitting we can explore", replied Tetley.
It was then that tea and cakes arrived courtesy of Shaun, Grizzly and Little Eric.
"Ooh great", cheered Allen and Southey, getting the mugs and plates.
The former filled with the delicious Ramblears tea, Little Eric announced, "I have made peach and apricot slice. Grizzly has made chocolate caramel shortbread."
"Both favourites", cheered Tetley, as we all dug in.
"Scrumptious, Little Eric" called out Allen.
"And the caramel shortbread too", said Southey.
Allen then mentioned to Shaun, Little Eric and Grizzly about the excellent pictures taken by Dad on the Haverigg walk. And about the possibility of doing another in the Silecroft direction.
"Sounds a plan", agreed Shaun. "We should get the route finalized to put to Dad, as you say once we have returned from Whitby."
Grizzly had the iPad in paw. "There's a day down to walk with Uncle Eric next Thursday. If I recall correctly, he had a suggestion for a walk from Cartmel."
"You are right", agreed Tetley. "It will be nice to walk from there again. Years since we last did."
We met at the car park by the racecourse. The forthcoming weekend is bank holiday and preparations were under way for the race meeting.
Our pals Barnaby and Lee had come along as usual to see Uncle Eric. "Hello lads", he said, "nice to see you."
While Dad got his boots on we got settled in the rucksack. This shouldered by Dad, we strode out across the racecourse along the wide stony track passing the buildings of Seven Acres. "Still boarded up and derelict", commented Allen.
Grizzly said, as well as the buildings Seven Acres refers to the car park where we started and all the surrounding area that is a caravan and camping site."
After a gate the track led on through Lane Park.
"This is very different", exclaimed Tetley. "I remember this as mature woodland on both sides, and being a bluebell wood."
"You are right lad", agreed Dad. "Whatever has happened?"
"There's an information panel, that may provide and explanation", pointed Shaun. For all our benefit, he read out, "In November 2021 Storm Arwen destroyed large areas of forestry throughout Cumbria and wider parts of Northern England. Lane Park was hit badly by the storm. High winds reached in excess of 100mph. Many historic and mature trees were uprooted and damaged, making the walk through the woodland inaccessible. A major tidy up operation of the damaged trees was completed by Holker Estate in January 2023 with support and approval from the Forestry Commission. This then made way for new planting. The woodland was replanted by Holker Estate in February 2023, with a mix of conifer and broadleaved trees. In total 16500 trees have been planted at Lane Park. The objective of the recovery management plan is to recreate a managed, continuous woodland, for all to enjoy."
"I feel sure we have a picture of the bluebells in this woodland from a previous walk", stated Tetley.
Whilst we never doubt our pal who has an amazing memory, despite a diligent search we have not been able to find it.
At the Y-junction, Uncle Eric said, "take the right fork below High Bank Side."
This track soon became a delightful tarmac lane through beautiful woodland.
"Look at that tall tree", pointed Little Eric. "It has a huge trunk. Must be very old."
At a junction, this lane meets a track and two footpaths. Southey looked up from the map, "our route is the track going back sharp right alongside Long Scar wood.
Before we started, Allen called out, "those rhododendrons will make a nice picture."
Strolling on this wide track led across open pasture where sheep and lambs were grazing. Dad had the camera in hand and Allen knew his desire for a sheep picture free story was a vain hope as Dad snapped this shot.
"Darn", he grumped. "One day I will be successful."
The track stretched out ahead.
Where the track bent left, Tetley commented, "we are on the Cumbria Coastal Way."
"And here is where we leave it" advised Shaun. "Our way is through the gate into Yew Yeat Wood."
It was lovely through here as we ambled on. Southey suggested, "why don't we sit on that tree stump for our obligatory picture?"
"Good idea", agreed Grizzly, as we scrambled out of the rucksack.
Off again the track entered Hill Mill Coppice with this warning sign on the gate.
"The only poisonous snake in the country", said Tetley. "I can only recall us seeing another such sign on a track off the the back road from Ings to Troutbeck."
We came past Hill Mill House, and shortly a newer property called The Mill. "I wonder if this was the site of a mill of some sort long ago?" speculated Shaun.
"Could well be, and perhaps Hill Mill House, was where the owner lived?" suggested Allen.
Our ace researcher Grizzly tried to find out if our speculations were correct, but had to inform us, "the Internet is silent about this. Sorry pals. I'm annoyed as I do not like to be beaten."
"Never mind pal. Thanks for trying", replied Shaun.
The track, lined for a way with these pretty wildflowers, led to the road.
"Turn left", called out Southey. "Then we want to take the path to Hill."
"This must be it", pointed Tetley, seeing the stone with a plan of the layout.
Ambling along the access...
...we passed this tree full of blossom...
...to pass left off the house called Hill. "Perhaps an extensive barn conversion?", mused Little Eric.
"You are right", replied Grizzly. "It is an 18th century barn conversion. It it a holiday let with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and sleeps 8 people. The blurb states there is an extensive view to Morecambe Bay."
"It is not wrong", called out Allen pointing. The large buildings seen are Heysham Nuclear Power Stations.
"Follow the track round to the left past Hill Farmhouse", instructed Shaun.
"This is also a holiday let", said Grizzly.
Through the gate we followed the clear path over open pasture, to come to a divide and two gates. "We want the right gate", advised Southey.
The path led us to the right of an area of rocky outcrops.
"Oh that clump of mature trees are worth a picture", called out Allen.
"You might notice to the very left of the picture that we were to shortly encounter cows, some with young. Dad said, "I think it would be best if we circled round to the left."
"Agreed", replied Uncle Eric.
Dad did get the camera out taking this highland cow. "I'm going to call him Hamish", said Little Eric.
"Take a picture of that cow with its calf", pointed Tetley.
We had to come close here as the gate in the wall was directly behind. Keeping by the wall to the right the path led past these buildings, and onto the drive to Wall Nook.
Coming to Wall Nook, a beautiful house, we had a chat with a lady who was working in the garden on behalf of the owners. Adjacent are two holiday cottages. One was called Kestrel.
"Through that gate", said Shaun.
Beyond the path was clear by the wall to the left, crossing two stone step stiles. Then the path drifts right over a tiny bridge to a third stone step stile.
The path was obviously left by the wall to descend to Crag End Cottage, going through the gate to its left side and then right across the front.
"There's our route", called out Allen, pointing to the sign.
Narrow at first this soon became a stony track that led past Well Knowe and to a narrow road.
"Continue ahead just a little way to take that signed path left", pointed Shaun.
Across the field and through a pinch stile into woods. The clear path that dropped down to the racecourse.
Crossing this we passed the fair in process of setting up.
Before walking to the cars, Dad paused to take this shot towards Cartmel village that is dominated by the Priory, and backed by Hampsfell.
"That was a lovely walk. Thank you so much for devising it Uncle Eric", said Allen.
"You are welcome. Glad you enjoyed it."
"Very peaceful too." said Grizzly. "We only saw two walkers on the first track from Cartmel, and then met a lady with dog by Long Scar."
Arrangements were made for our next walk with Uncle Eric, before we headed off. "You will be in time for lunch at the River Bela Cafe", suggested Tetley.
"Aye lad that's where we are going."
We of course get to go in too, and our pals Barnaby and Lee. Not expecting Dad today, a lady Ruth, who Dad knows was sitting at his table. We were quite happy to sit elsewhere, but she insisted he join her. This was nice because they had a nice chat. Also chat with Martyn and Sarah of course. Dad had brie bacon and cranberry pannini with chips. Tea and then scrumptious peach and berry crumble and custard.
Another good day.
