Tetley came in, "your Lake District magazines have arrived Allen and Southey.
"Oh thanks", replied Southey. "I can't wait to see what interesting articles there are this month."
"Me too", added Allen. "Has your Dalesman come, Tetley."
"Yes pal. I too am looking forward to reading it."
We all started, but were interrupted by Shaun, Grizzly and Little Eric arriving with the tea and cakes.
"Great", cheered Allen, getting the mugs and plates, then saying, "I'll lend a paw to help fill the mugs."
"Thanks pal", replied Shaun.
Little Eric said, "Grizzly has made chocolate caramel shortbread, while have done tiffin."
"Wow", shouted Southey. "You two are spoiling us."
"Absolutely", went on Allen. "They are some of our very favourites."
So all was well. Steaming mugs in paw and scrumptious cakes.
After a little while Tetley picked up the iPad. "There is a day down to walk with Uncle Eric next Tuesday. The forecast looks to be OK too."
"We do not have to come up with an idea this time. It was agreed after our previous walk to do the Blue route from Sizergh Castle."
"Roll on Tuesday", cheered Allen taking another slice of tiffin.
We made sure to be ready in good time, and seeing Dad finish loading his gear, we trotted out to the car, calling "goodbye", to our many other pals.
"Take care and see that Dad does too", replied Ralph."
"We will", called back Tetley.
As we drove off, Southey asked, "I suppose we are meeting at the layby on the road to Sizergh Castle, as we did last time."
"Yes lad."
We were first to arrive and Dad got his boots on etc. Seeing Uncle Eric pull in, our pals Barnaby and Lee, who always go to see him, went over to say hello.
"Nice to see you", said Uncle Eric.
Dad was soon ready and we got snuggled in the rucksack, and this shouldered by Dad, off we went.
The road brought us by the Strickland Arms, so called after the family that once owned Sizergh Castle.
It had recently closed. The National Trust who own it, wanted the tenant to take a long lease. This to the tenant was unrealistic, so they have left. The next time we walked with Uncle Eric, he told us that it was up for sale. We leave readers to draw their own conclusions.
A few yards further, at the junction, Little Eric said, "there's the post box. A picture please Dad."
We kept straight ahead through the entrance gates of the castle...
...and follow the long drive.
"Those autumn colours are lovely", pointed Southey. "I love this season."
Further on we had a view across the fields to the castle itself.
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Grizzly said, "I can give you and overview about the history. The Deincourt family owned this land from the 1170s. On the marriage of Elizabeth Deincourt to Sir William de Stirkeland in 1239, the estate passed into the hands of what became the Strickland family, who owned it until it was gifted to the National Trust in 1950 by Lieutenant Commander Thomas Hornyold-Strickland, 7th Count della Catena, R.N., a grandson of the 1st Baron Strickland.
Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII and a relative of the Stricklands, is thought to have lived, here after her first husband, Sir Edward Burgh, died in 1533. Katherine's second husband, Lord Latymer, was kin to the dowager Lady Strickland, Katherine Neville.
It was extended in Elizabethan times. Sir Thomas Strickland went into exile with King James II and VII.
Around 1770 the great hall was again expanded in the Georgian style. The castle is a Grade I listed building.
The gardens are registered as Grade II listed. There is a lake, a kitchen garden and rock garden. The rock garden, constructed in the 1920s, is the largest limestone rock garden belonging to the National Trust.
In 1336 a grant from Edward III allowed Sir Walter Strickland to enclose the land around Sizergh as his exclusive park. The estate covers 1,600 acres." (source Wikipedia)
Arriving at the visitor centre we passed in front Shaun then saying, "we go through that gate with the blue arrow disc for the start of the route."
Beyond the path stretched away before us.
At the far side through the gate, the path continued through the next field to another gate.
"Keep on", said Shaun. "Round the edge of that small farmyard."
Here we entered Rash Spring Wood.
Reading the instructions Allen said, "there are three benches through here. We should sit on one for our picture. As we always say, we have to appear in each story."
Through a gate we emerged from the wood into the farmyard of Holeslack.
"Look there's a lime kiln", pointed Little Eric.
Looking up from the instructions, Southey said, "actually it is the old summer house built to look like a lime kiln."
In front stands the farmhouse.
Grizzly said, "I have notes. The house dates from the 17th century with later additions and alterations. The roof is slate and there are three chimney stacks as we can see. The left has a single round shaft, the right paired round shafts both 19th century. Central stack is larger and probably original. L-shaped in plan, a later extension was added to the right. Note the finial on the gabled porch. Inside there is a spiralling staircase. It is recorded that the owner in 1726 was John Jackson (gentleman) the founder of the Chapel at Helsington. It is available to rent as a holiday home, so there will be all the modern amenities amongst the older features."
"Take the rising track to the right" informed Shaun.
This skirts Holeslack Wood and brought us to a junction. "We go right to St John's Church Helsington", advised Southey.
There looking out there is a magnificent view over the Lyth Valley and to the Lakeland Fells. However such were the conditions today, that the pictures Dad took are not worth inclusion.
He did take this if the church.
Once again Grizzly had some notes to impart. "The church is built of limestone and sandstone with a graduated Westmorland slate roof. Originally built in 1726 in a rectangular plan there have been later additions to the north and south sides, notably the porch and vestry and lean-to kitchen. As we can see there is a pitched-roofed belfry holding a single bell. It was originally built as a chapel on the initiative of John Jackson of Holeslack Farm."
"Thank you pal as always for your insights that add interest to our adventure", said Shaun, patting him on the shoulder.
Southey advised, "we walk back the way we came then at the junction go right."
There three men from the National Trust were working to rebuild a section of dry stone wall where a new pedestrian gate was being placed.
One of the gentlemen said, "you can give us a hand if you like."
Dad joked, "I have heard that one always picks up the right stone to lay next."
"Not so", said another of the workers who was having difficulty finding the one, saying, "it's here somewhere."
As we set off to walk on, Dad commented, "wonderful to see this great skill being carried on."
The clear well signed grassy track led on and on, with one short section of steep rocky descent. Part was through woodland.
We passed some cows that just ignored us.
"Aww, look at the calf lying down", pointed Little Eric.
Eventually we joined the surfaced track that is on all routes, as indicated by the orange, blue and purple arrow discs.
Tetley laughed, "we should call this the rainbow track!"
"Ooh, I like that", replied Allen chuckling.
Strolling along Southey then pointed to this hollow tree.
It is an ash tree pollard, and is mentioned in the instructions had we taken the shorter route back from Holeslack Farm."
The track led us to the visitor centre.
Looking about, Little Eric commented, "the car park is full and the cafe looks to be doing a good trade."
Dad remarked, "I remember before this was built. The cafe and shop was small and within the castle. I bought Uncle Brian a kitchen apron with the logo 'His Lordship'."
It was now a reverse of our outwards route. "That will be a nice picture of the trees with some hints of autumn colours and the castle", mused Grizzly.
Along the drive we met Mr & Mrs Storrs. Dad knows them as they are customers at the River Bela Cafe. He had a nice little chat. Good to see them.
At the car Dad got his boots off.
"Thank you Uncle Eric for suggesting the walk. It has been very enjoyable", said Allen. "And thank you for your company."
"Thank you for yours."
There was time to go to the River Bela Cafe for lunch. We came in as usual and our pals Barnaby and Lee.
Dad had lots of nice chat with Martyn and Sarah, while enjoying meat and potato pie with chips beans and gravy. Apple crumble and custard, all washed down with a large pot of Yorkshire tea.
"Another grand day out", said Tetley as we drove home.
