Tea had arrived much to the glee, as usual, of Allen . "Ahh just what I need some delicious Ramblears tea. I'm...
"gasping for a cuppa", finished Tetley, letting out a bellow of laughter and setting out the mugs. "I'll help with filling them pal."
"Thanks" replied Shaun. "There are no cake tins", he then exclaimed."
"No", called out Southey as he came trotting in. "I have given Grizzly and Little Eric the day off. We are having a scone day." Then setting down three containers he went on, "there are plain, sultana and cherry and ginger. There is butter and raspberry jam and clotted cream too. Help yourselves."
There was quiet for a little while.
"Ooh the sultana ones are quite scrumptious", enthused Grizzly, taking another.
"As are the cherry and ginger", called out Shaun. "You are without a doubt the master scone maker."
Allen put his plate down and rubbed his tummy. "I'm full. Loved the plain scones too."
Tetley laughed again. "I'm not surprised that you are full for once. You've had at least two of each flavour. Totally living up to your reputation as the president of the Teddy Bear Tea Belly and Cake Stuffer Society (TBTB&CS).
"You are such a character", added Southey. "We love you to bits. Don't ever change. I'm glad too that you all enjoyed the scones. I like making them. I use Elaine at Feizor's recipe. That's why they are so good."
Little Eric was looking at the iPad. "There's a day down to walk with Uncle Eric next Tuesday." Then after a few more clicks, "the weather is set fair. It is our turn to come up with and idea."
"I have one", said Tetley. "We will have done the paths before but on different walks. Suggest starting at Halton Station, then walk into Lancaster, and up the Ridge Estate. Past the school then along the track that crosses the M6 and down Grimeshaw Lane and then Denny Beck Lane to the start."
"I like that. There is not too much climb and the paths are good all the way", replied Shaun.
Dad spoke to Uncle Eric and he agreed with the suggestion. Here's the tale of our adventure.
We woke up to blue skies and sunshine. It was not far for Dad to drive to the start. Along the Bay Gateway, then just a little way on the A683 to turn left down the narrow Denny Beck Lane, and park opposite the former Halton Station, now occupied as the headquarters of the Lancaster University Rowing Club.
We arrived before Uncle Eric, so Lee suggested, as can be seen, "let's sit on the platform for a picture."
l-r Shaun, Allen, Lee with Little Eric, Barnaby with Grizzly, Southey and Tetley
Lee and Barnaby always come along when we are walking with Uncle Eric. This is because Barnaby in particular always went to work with Dad. For a while they worked together. Uncle Eric liked the fact that Barnaby growls. Lee comes along too, because he is Barnaby's best pal.
Shortly Uncle Eric arrived and Barnaby and Lee went to say hello and we called out "good morning."
"Hello lads, good to see you all."
Soon ready we set off along the old railway track now part of the network of cycleways in the area,
The path took us under the M6 bridge and the more recent Lune West Bridge carrying the Bay Gateway that we had driven along this morning.
"Oh look", pointed Tetley. "Michaelmas Daisies. They are the last of the herbaceous kind of plants to flower, usually in September."
Shortly we reached the Lune Aqueduct, that carries the Lancaster Canal over the River Lune.
"Hmm", mused Grizzly. "The trees and bushes are still in leaf, so we cannot get a picture."
"Never mind", replied Allen. "We have illustrated it in other stories."
"What's that", pointed Southey.
"A baluster that form the top wall", replied Grizzly. "Perhaps at some time it had to be replaced, but rather than dispose to the original, it is kept for all the see close-up."
"Looks like the top section has gone missing at some point", commented Shaun.
Walking on we arrived in Lancaster passing under Skerton Bridge carrying the A6 over the River Lune.
Grizzly said, "thanks to Wikipedia I can tell you that the first stone was laid in June 1783 and the bridge was completed in September 1787 to a design by Thomas Harrison. The semi-elliptical arches allow it to have a flat road deck the first of its kind in England. Each arch spans 64 feet (19.5m) and the deck between the parapets is 33 feet (10.1m) wide.
"That tree will make a nice picture", said Allen.
"Right", said Shaun, "we should walk along Parliament Street, and cross at the traffic lights, then walk up Bulk Road.
This took us past buildings under construction and ones recently built, all student accommodation.
Bulk Road climbed gently and at the top, Shaun said, "we need to cross and walk up Ridge Lane."
This done, Little Eric called out, "there's a post box."
Dad immediately hauled the camera out to take a shot for Little Eric's collection.
This crossed the Lancaster Canal. "Look" called out Tetley. "There's a barge just passing under the bridge. Make a nice picture."
As we walked up the Ridge Estate we noticed that new yellow and red topped wheelie bins were being delivered.
Dad asked one on the gentlemen involved. "We are providing these on every collection route. Delivery of these in Morecambe will start in October."
Indeed we got ours the following week. Dad remarked to Uncle Eric, "I will only be putting them out when they are full. So at most 4 times a year."
Now whether it was this that distracted us, but we forgot that we needed to take the right turn up Crag Road. Instead we kept on and on along Keswick Road, effectively going in a circle.
Dad asked a local lady and she said, "you need to go up the road opposite to get higher up."
Before starting this, Little Eric asked, "please take a picture of Keswick Road post box."
Dad said, "Eric I am sorry about this. We will get onto the correct route after this."
"It's all right", he replied.
Nevertheless we felt rather guilty about this, our feeble excuse being that it was along time since we had walked the route.
Crag Road climbed steeply passing the senior school to find the concrete track that is Ridge Lane.
Taking this we passed by Ridge Farm to the left.
In the previous picture we had noted the cranes, wondering where they were situated.
"They are at Lancaster Farms", said Grizzly, "The HM Young Offenders Institute." Searching the Internet later, he told us, "the works are to refurbish and also extend the facility to provide more prison places."
At the end of the lane we crossed the M6.
"Turn left", instructed Southey. "This is Grimeshaw Lane"
Onwards and onwards this was our route. Towards its end, Tetley pointed, "there's a fine view over to Halton. Like many once small villages it has expanded over the years."
As we started to descend, the path at this point was overshadowed by these mature trees. "There's just a hint of autumn colours", commented Shaun.
"Although Dad took our picture at the station, we've yet to have the obligatory one on the walk", said Little Eric.
"How about here on the verge", suggested Dad.
"Ok", he agreed. We hopped out and got settled.
Settled again in the rucksack, Dad strode out to catch up with Uncle Eric who had walked on. The final descent brought us to the A683.
"Cross and walk down Denny Beck Lane opposite", said Shaun.
At the corner is the pretty Denny Beck Cottage.
Having taken the picture Dad followed Uncle Eric down the narrow lane, that we had indeed driven down this morning.
"There's more Michaelmas Daisies", pointed Allen. "Nice colourful shot to end our story."
"Thank you Gerry and Lads. I have enjoyed the walk, including the tour of the Ridge Estate", said Uncle Eric.
"We are glad about that", replied Tetley. "And our apologies once again, about missing the turning."
