Monday, and Dad and a few of our Hug pals had gone to Elaine's at Feizor as usual to meet with friends.
"Who went today?", asked Southey, looking up from the magazine he was reading.
"Alex and Clare, Douglas John and new girl Norma", replied Allen.
"Norma is sooo lovely", said Tetley. "She is named after Norma a lovely lady who Dad has got friendly with at the River Bela Cafe. She rescued her, thinking I know someone who will give her a good home."
Allen had picked up the iPad, saying "there are two possible days down for a walk with Uncle Eric." Then looking up the Met Office app, he went on, "Wednesday looks to be the best day."
Just then Shaun, Grizzly and Little Eric arrived.
"Ooh great", cheered Southey. "Tea and cakes."
Tetley had got the mugs and plates and helped Shaun pour the tea. "Thanks pal", said Shaun.
Allen took a big mouthful. "Ahh Ramblears tea. Delicious."
Grizzly had opened the cake tins. "There are Chorley cakes with butter from me. Little Eric has made blueberry slice."
We all dug in. "The blueberry slice is scrumptious", called out Tetley.
"Chorley cakes are up to your usual high standard too", added Allen, taking his third.
"Living up to your cake stuffer reputation I see", laughed Little Eric.
All content, we turned our thoughts to walking. Grizzly said, "we must have a think about where to walk,"
"Not necessary", replied Shaun. "Dad told me that we will be doing another walk from Sedbergh, from the book that Uncle Eric has. It's the one taking in Frostrow and Millthrop."
"That's good", replied Southey. "Means we can concentrate on enjoying more tea and cakes."
Tetley laughed out loud. "What a pair you and Allen are. But do not change. We love you to bits."
"Well it's just that we take after Dad", laughed Allen.
The walk started from Joss Lane car park, just to the left off the narrow one-way main street.
It was market day, so areas of the car park were closed off, but Uncle Eric, who had arrived before us, directed us into one of the few remaining spaces.
Barnaby and Lee had come along as usual to meet Uncle Eric, and went to say good morning as did we.
"Nice to see you lads", Uncle Eric replied.
Dad ready, we got settled in the rucksack, Shaun saying, "walk to the Main Street and turn left."
Reaching the junction, Uncle Eric said, "cross the road and walk along Vicarage Lane opposite."
Allen pointed to the signpost. "Millthrop had been mis-spelt. One of the 'l's has been missed out."
"So it has", said Tetley. "You are eagle-eyed today pal."
Striding out, our progress was stopped by Little Eric calling out, "that's a fine view looking back of Winder, that dominates Sedbergh. Definitely worth a picture."
"That was the very first Howgill Fell I climbed back in 1994", commented Dad.
"And since then, apart from Southey, we've all completed the challenge", replied Little Eric.
At the end of the lane we continued to pass through kissing gates and over fields.
"What's that large building?", pointed Little Eric.
"One of the boarding houses for Sedbergh School" Grizzly informed us.
The path came by a wall with a stile, that Dad and Uncle Eric crossed.
After a little way along the path, Shaun said, "this is the wrong way. We should have ignored the stile and dropped downhill."
"Right" said Dad and Uncle Eric, as they turned back.
On the correct route, we descended the field and crossed the next, to then cross a small footbridge and come beside the River Rawthey, taking the path left beside it.
There were sheep and to Allen's dismay this lamb posed for Dad.
"Darn", he sighed. "There goes the sheep picture free story yet again."
Here the river runs over this weir. "Make a good picture", suggested Southey.
The path came to the road at Settlebeck Bridge. "Cross the road and continue by the river", instructed Shaun.
We waited for Grizzly to tell us about the bridge, but there was just silence. Realising, he said, "there is nothing that I could find. It is not listed, although looking at it, must be from perhaps the 19th century."
Walking on the view opened up to the left. "That's Crook, Sickers Fell and Knott", pointed Tetley.
"All climbed in your company Uncle Eric", said Shaun.
"Yes, we had many interesting expeditions summiting all the Howgill Fells. Very lonely walks, especially those around the valleys on the northern side."
Further on Grizzly drew our attention to this building.
"That is Stone House, built in 1695. Originally a farmhouse, now a house. So called because when it was built most of the other houses were built of timber. Grade II* listed since 1954."
"Those impressive trees are worth a picture", called out Tetley.
A small stream was crossed by this footbridge...
...then down this complex of stile and steps...
...to eventually arrive at Straight Bridge, this being the view of the River Rawthey from it.
Uncle Eric issued instructions, "cross the bridge then take the first turning right."
This narrow lane led to Garsdale Bridge spanning the River Clough.
Grizzly told us, "this is Grade II listed. Probably built in the 17th century, being partly rebuilt and altered in 19th century. Single span in Tudor-arched shape.
In yards we reached these former mill workers cottages, called The Row.
A group of walkers went along past the cottages. "That's not our route", advised Southey. "We go left up the side."
This brought us to Farfield Mill.
A former Victorian Woollen Mill, this is art craft and heritage gallery. The beautiful gallery spaces, artists' studios, power loom and handlooms are set over four floors, displaying and selling a range of contemporary craft, art and jewelry, handcrafted and designed in the Mill and surrounding area. There is a tea room with indoor and outdoor seating by the river.
Pointing Shaun called out, "we should take the path signed to the A684."
This took us across fields to a stile onto the road.
"Just go a little left and take the stile on the right", advised Southey.
Descending the field we passed an overgrown pond and through a tumbled down wall. The route now was not entirely clear, but after a little searching, Shaun stated, "we should climb the steep hill ahead then go slightly to the right."
Here we could see a ladderstile. "It's over that I presume", pointed Allen.
"Yes pal."
Onwards then uphill through a gateway, where the clear path over the field led to a gate, and then onwards to Side Farm. Passing the house we followed the access to a tarred lane.
"Turn right", said Southey to the next farm, High Hollins. There he told us, over that stile on left, then across the field. Down, and then steeply up, to a stile onto a surfaced track."
"Good place to have our picture taken sitting on the stile", suggested Little Eric. "We must appear at least once in every story."
Following the track left we came to Highside.
Reading from the instructions, Grizzly informed us. "Although called 'Highside' on maps, this house was known locally as 'Africa' One theory holds that this rather strange name arose in the 17 and early 1800s when, it is said, African faces used to line the windows. At the time the slave trade still operated and the farm could have been a stopping off place in the movement of slaves around the area."
Reading on he said, "the fellside immediately above the farm is called 'Frostrow' and is very aptly named, since in the cold weather this exposed north-facing slope keeps its frost longer than most places."
Passing the house, Shaun said, "go right through that gate.
Across the field the path took us through a gate gap and then to a ladderstile in corner of next field.
Here a waymark pointed half right. "That's not our route", said Shaun. "We need to cross the small stream to the left."
This picture taken looking back shows this.
And then, keeping by the stream the path descended via two stiles, to then bear slightly left to pass trees in gill/cleft. This brought is by the stream that was followed to the bottom of the fields.
Pointing, Tetley said, "across the stream."
"Yes pal", replied Shaun.
This was difficult for Uncle Eric, so Dad carefully helped him get across, safely.
"Thank you", he said.
A waymark directed us to a gate in the corner onto a rough walled path and down to a stile onto the road.
We had got a bit ahead of Uncle Eric, so Dad had a chat with a gentleman with his lovely dog Bobby, who allowed Dad to fuss him.
"We go left to Millthrop", said Southey.
Just before this row of lovely stone cottages, Shaun told us, "go right."
At the junction it was right to cross Millthrop Bridge and up the road towards Sedbergh.
By a black and white half timbered house Southey called out, "take the stile on the right."
"Ahh", said Allen. "This was the path we mistakenly took earlier."
Over the stile at the end we then repeated outwards route to cars.
It had been quite a challenging walk for Uncle Eric and we were all glad that Dad was with him to steady him at times and help over rough areas.
"Thank you for suggesting the walk, Uncle Eric. It has been very interesting and enjoyable", said Tetley.
"Glad you liked it lads."
Our goodbyes said, Dad drove back up the Lune Valley and went to Bull Beck for a snack. A bacon sausage and egg bun. Mug of tea and Chorley cake, saw him refreshed. We had our own picnic - sandwiches and cake and tea.
Thank you Dad for taking us on yet another adventure
