All was well. The cakes and tea had arrived and we had steaming mugs in paw.
"Ahh, Ramblears tea. Delicious", cheered Allen. Then, about to take another mouthful he paused. "Where's Southey? He's as much a tea belly as me."
"Don't know", replied Shaun. "But as you say not like him to miss out on tea."
Just a minute or so later, he trotted into the room, bearing two tins. "I was delayed", he explained. "Had to wait until the second batch of scones was ready to come out of the oven. There are sultana, and cherry and ginger. The latter will be a bit warm as they are the ones that have just come out of the oven."
"Lovely", cheered Tetley, taking a sultana one and liberally spreading it with butter and jam. Then taking a bite he said, "Absolutely scrumptious."
Grizzly said, "you are without doubt the ace scone maker."
Allen said, "As the president of the Teddy Bear Tea Belly and Cake Stuffer Society (TBTB&CS), I want to say how much we appreciate the efforts of Grizzly and Little Eric in providing us with the delicious cakes, and to my secretary of the society Southey for the scones. We never ever take this for granted.
"Absolutely" agreed Shaun. "What a wonderful selection we have had today. Tiffin from Little Eric, Chorley Cakes from Grizzly and the scones from Southey. Thank you pals."
There was quiet for a while as we dug into the delicious fare, Allen and Southey competing as usual as to who could eat the most.
Then our thoughts turned to walking. "There's a day down for walking with Uncle Eric on Thursday", commented Little Eric. Then tapping to the Met Office app he went on, "the weather looks good too."
Shaun piped up, "it has already been decided to do one of the walks from Sizergh Castle."
"The parking charges will be rather high", replied Grizzly.
"Yes", replied Shaun, "that is why we are meeting at the large layby on the road that leads to the castle entrance."
"Roll on Thursday, and having the company of Uncle Eric.", cheered Little Eric.
"It will be the 14th August, which is our pal Gladly's birthday. He was the very first bear in the Hug, and had Dad not adopted him, the the rest of us may never have been adopted. The 14th August 1981 is a very significant day for the Hug", stated Tetley.
On the day of the walk Gladly was 44 years old. And in honour we include his picture with his dear brother Fred, who was Uncle Brian's special bear and other pals on a recent day out to Thornton-le-Dale in Yorkshire.
We arrived just after Uncle Eric, and our pals Barnaby and Lee went to say hello as usual. Then we called out "good morning Uncle Eric. Looking forward to your company."
"As am I", he replied.
So ready, we strolled along the road towards the entrance to the castle.
Just before stands the Strickland Arms. "So named as the Strickland family were the owners of Sizergh Castle before it was handed over the the National Trust", informed Grizzly.
I've heard it is closing at the end of the month", commented Southey.
"That's right lad. Uncle Martyn at the River Bela Cafe told me that the National Trust want the tenant to take a very long lease, which the tenant is unable to agree to."
"Take the road left", informed Shaun.
"Look Sizergh post box. A picture please Dad", called out Little Eric.
After a little way, Shaun advised, we branch right past along that track...
"...through the gate and into a field."
Crossing two tiny footbridges, the path climbed to a junction. "Right here and along by Chapel Wood", said Southey.
Coming to a gate, Uncle Eric stated, "this is where we join the Orange route. There are extensions shown on the map, which we are going to do."
"In that case we should ignore the actual Orange route for now", replied Tetley, looking up from the map.
"Quite pal", agreed Shaun. "Do not go through the gate, but take the path left along by the hedge to our right."
There were masses of blackberry brambles and we met some people industriously picking the fruit, along the hedge and by this fallen tree.
The route swung right and we followed the wide clear path over Sizergh Fell passing these impressive trees. "Worth a picture?, suggested Allen.
The path joined the Orange route, leading to a gate into a large pasture.
Looking at the map, Southey said, "the extension is the wide path to the left."
This brought us to a gate onto the road at Heaves Farm.
"Where now?", asked Little Eric.
"Not onto the road, rather that path to the right towards the woodland", instructed Southey.
After a few minutes the path led to this gate into the wood.
"Looking right, Grizzly said, "had we not been doing the full extension, we could just have walked straight across from that gate,"
"There's a fine view to Whitbarrow Scar", pointed Allen. "Nice picture for the story."
We strolled on along the path through the lovely woodland...
...to emerge via a gate into open pasture.
"That's the end of the second extension and we are now on the Orange route", said Tetley, looking up from the map.
Seeing this signpost...
...Shaun said, "although there are no coloured markers, this indicates in each direction the Orange route. We want the direction 'Sizergh Visitor Centre 1.4km'."
A waymark, with an orange arrow, and of suitable size for us can be seen. "We should sit by it for our picture", suggested Southey.
After two gates it was straight ahead...
...to a gate in the distant wall, and then half right to another gate, with coloured markers for all the routes. Blue, Orange and Purple.
and by which stands this signpost.
Consulting the map, Shaun made sense of this for us. Sizergh Fell is Orange and the way we have come. Park End Wetland is the Purple route. Church is Blue. Our way now is along the wide track to Sizergh Visitor Centre part of all the routes.
The track led unerringly to Sizergh Castle car park. "Wow it's full", said Little Eric.
"Well it is still school holidays", remarked Uncle Eric.
Walking on we came to a gate with and Orange marker. This directed us across the field to another gate.
"This is the one we came to after climbing up by Chapel Wood", stated Little Eric.
Through and left we joined the outwards route, descending to the Strickland Arms and so to the layby.
"Thanks for suggesting this Uncle Eric", said Tetley, "most enjoyable."
"And thank you for your company", added Allen.
"You're welcome. Good to be walking with you lads, and your Dad of course."
Arrangements made for future walks, Dad then drove us to the River Bela Cafe for his lunch. We came is of course as did Barnaby and Lee.
He had Cornish pasty with chips and beans. Tea in his big pot. Then delicious apple and blackberry crumble and custard. Well he deserved it after taking us out. There was lots of nice chat with Martyn and Sarah as usual, rounding off our adventure today.
