Tetley strolled in. "Your Lake District Magazines have arrived, with my Dalesman."
"Oh thanks pal", replied Allen and Southey.
Southey then said, "can't wait to see what interesting articles there are this month.
We all had our heads down reading, when quietly Shaun, Little Eric and Grizzly arrived. "We bring tea and cakes", announced Shaun.
Abandoning his magazine, Allen called out, "great", as he went to get the plates and mugs.
Tetley put his down, and helped Shaun fill the mugs with steaming Ramblears tea.
"Thanks pal."
Little Eric had the cake tins open, saying, "Chorley cakes from Grizzly with butter, and from me blueberry slice."
"Lovely", said Southey helping himself, as we all then did. After a mouthful, "the blueberry slice is delicious."
"As are the Chorley cakes", added Tetley.
So there was quiet while we had our fill, and after Allen and Southey's mugs had been refilled for the third time, Shaun said, "there is a day down to walk with Uncle Eric on Thursday. "It must be our turn to come up with an idea."
"How about looking at the book of walks in the Arnside and Silverdale area", suggested Allen. "There are some that our relatively short which will suite Uncle Eric."
Looking down the index, Grizzly, indicated, "how about this through Cringlebarrow and Deepdale Woods from Yealand Redmayne?"
We read the details in conjunction with the OS Maps app. "I agree", said Little Eric.
"Me too", went on Allen. As he drained his mug yet again, he picked up the book saying, "I'll go and see what Dad thinks. Will you fill my mug again, thanks."
"Huh", laughed Tetley. "I told you he has hollow legs. For sure he takes after Dad for his tea and cakes."
Soon back. "Thanks pal", he said accepting the mug. "Dad thinks it will be a good suggestion. So we will see if Uncle Eric agrees when they talk on the phone."
The day was dry and mild so as usual Dad was in shorts and t-shirt. We met Uncle Eric at the small parking area in Yealand Redmayne. As usual our pals Barnaby and Lee went to see Uncle Eric. It was Barnaby's 33rd birthday, and we all wished him many happy returns.
Uncle Eric was pleased to see them, saying, "hello Lads, nice to see you."
l-r Barnaby & Lee
Ready and with us tucked in the rucksack, we walked north along the road through the village.
"There's the post box", called out Little Eric. "It dates from the reign of King George V. Please take a picture for my collection."
Along here we passed the nice stone houses, like these.
At the end of the houses, Shaun said, "the actual walk instructions say to continue on a little way then take the path cutting back on the left. However it is simpler just to take this track left, that joins the instructed route."
At the t-junction we met a gentleman who has premises opposite, and chatted a little while. He warned about there being a lot of tics and big flies (referred to locally as clegs). Much of the walk was in woods, and Dad was to rue being in shorts, as by the end he had been bitten a few times! We thought about what Uncle Brian used to say about this. "You know, they only go after bad meat."
Turning left it was on and on along the track up and down through beautiful Cringlebarrow Wood. So quiet that there was not even the sounds of birds for the most part.
"There's a teepee like structure over there", pointed Southey. "We have seen them before. I have always wondered why the are built."
Eventually we came to a signpost pointing right to Deepdale. "Do we go that way?", asked Tetley.
"No pal", replied Shaun. "We keep ahead on the unsigned path."
This eventually joined a track coming in from the left and led on to a large open field.
"I know where we are now", said Allen. "On the far side we come to a track that will lead us past Yealand Manor. We have often crossed this field but in the opposite direction. "
"That's right" agreed Dad. "Both Uncle Eric and I knew Yealand Manor well. It was the training centre for the company we both worked for. Provincial Insurance. I attended various courses and conferences, while Uncle Eric gave lectures."
At a junction Southey said, "it's the path right up to Summerhouse Hill."
The mound on top is all that remains of a building long demolished.
"Once again we bag this summit", called out Grizzly. "Time for our usual summit picture."
Onwards across to the gate into the wood. Here we met three people with their dogs. One lady saw us, so Dad explained.
Below stands Leighton Hall, in its extensive parkland.
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"I have some brief notes", said Grizzly. "There was a house here as far back as 1642, but the present house was built for George Towneley in 1759-61 in the Georgian style to a design by John Hird. In 1822 the property came into the possession of Richard Gillow, the grandson of furniture manufacturer Robert Gillow. He Gothicised the facade in 1822-25 using local white limestone. In 1870 his son, Richard Thomas Gillow commissioned Lancaster architects Paley and Austin to add a three-story wing containing a billiard room below and guest rooms above. He died in 1906, leaving the hall in a neglected condition and was succeeded by this grandson, Charles Richard Gillow, who died in 1923. Charles' widow continued to live there until she died in 1966 at the age of 96. The property then passed via her daughter Helen to her grandson Richard Gillow Reynolds, who with his wife Susan are the current owners. It is Grade II* listed. The hall is open to the public and there are interesting tours. There are also events held in the grounds at different times of the year, including open air theatre."
"Thank you pal", said Allen, "for adding to our knowledge."
The descent is steep and Dad's hamstring tightened, causing him to limp. "I knew this would happen. Never mind it will ease again once we get on level terrain."
"Oh Dad," sighed Tetley.
Grizzly said, "the woods were replanted and the park laid out in 1763. There are some lovely trees. It would be nice to include some tree pictures in the story."
Following the paved road as far as Home Farm, Shaun advised, "it's through the gate on the right and across the field. Not the gate at the end of the rutted track, but rather to a gate in the the right boundary."
Beyond we crossed the field to another gate into Deepdale Wood.
"Those trees will make a nice picture. I know we took some in the park, but it is always nice to have such pictures in the story. Trees are so important and we should be planting many more, as they help to reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere", stated Southey.
The path climbed steadily and then levelled.
The map shows Deepdale Pond, and Uncle Eric suggested that we might go and see it. This involved taking a path to the right that dropped down.
Pointing, Tetley said, "that overgrown area must be the pond, but there is no sign of any water."
The consequence of our having done this, was that we needed to climb out of the dell. It was a very steep and rocky path, which was not really good for Uncle Eric, but climbing out was better than if we had had to descend. This picture show the path looking down.
Level again the path led on to come to a steep steps down to a broken stile onto the track we had walked earlier that led to Yealand Manor.
Here Shaun suggested, "it would be sensible to deviate from the the published walk to avoid a long repeat. Go left then at the junction take the right fork. This will take us down to the stile into the field above Yealand Redmayne."
"Good idea", agreed Uncle Eric.
On the way there is an open section where we could look across the the walled garden, part to Yealand Manor Estate.
Over the stile and across the field to steps down to the road at Yealand Redmayne by Storrs Farmhouse.
"I have some notes", said Grizzly. "As can be seen there are initials and a date on the lintel. 'J O M 1666'. Built in slobbered rubble with a slate roof. To the right is gabled extension. The windows are small and rebated and chamfered with mullions. It is Grade II listed. According to the Internet it is for used for rent as an Airbnb."
"What a shame it's not occupied by local people", muttered Tetley.
"Lovely to walk through the woods", said Allen. "Thank you Dad for an enjoyable few hours in the beautiful countryside, and thank you for your company Uncle Eric."
"You are welcome lads."
So arrangements were made for future walks with Uncle Eric, and saying our goodbyes we headed home.
