All was well, especially for our arch tea belly pal Allen, as we had steaming mugs in paw. "Ahh!", Allen breathed. "Ramblears tea, my favourite."
What's the cakes today?", asked Shaun.
"None. We've has a day off", replied Grizzly.
"Your face", laughed Tetley, looking at Allen.
"Well as always I'm hungry. Shall I get the tuck tin? We can have biscuits instead."
"Not needed", called out Southey, as he trotted in with cake tins in paw. "I was determined that Grizzly and Little Eric should not have to bake, so there are scones, with butter and raspberry jam. I have made plain, cherry and ginger, sultana, and cheese."
"Super", cheered Shaun. "You are the best scone maker, bar none. And such a selection."
"I knew we needed plenty, particularly with Allen in mind."
We all dug in and there were murmurs of appreciation all round. "Delicious", said Little Eric.
"Scrumptious pal", cheered Tetley. "Love the cherry and ginger and the sultana."
The cheese ones are really tasty", said Allen, taking another.
"That's your firth", said Grizzly. "Wherever do you put it all."
"As I've said, he has hollow legs", replied Tetley, laughing loudly.
Southey went on, "don't ever change Allen. You are such a character and we love you to bits."
After our mugs had been recharged with tea, Little Eric said, "despite the weather being so wet and cold, we have not done too badly getting out for walks. I wonder if we might get out this coming weekend."
Allen grabbed the iPad. "Hmm. Saturday is out. Heavy rain most of the day. Sunday looks ok. Any ideas pals?"
Shaun replied. "I found a Mary Welsh walk published in December 2007. It has lain unwalked. 5 miles in length. I starts from Morrisons in Kendal, takes us up the River Mint. Then on north up a valley to return via Meal Bank and the River Mint along the opposite bank."
"Sounds excellent", enthused Tetley. "And new ground for us all."
Allen emptied his mug and taking the instructions from Shaun, went off to see if Dad was agreeable. "Please refill my mug" he called out.
Soon back the wide smile on his face told Dad had agreed. "It's on" he said to confirm. "Thanks Shaun", he went on taking the steaming mug of tea.
"Here's to Sunday", cheered Grizzly.
Dad pulled into the Morrisons car park from the A6.
He was soon ready and we snuggled down in the rucksack. The day was cloudy and dry but there was a strong gusty cold wind.
Shaun issued instructions. "Return to A6, turn right and cross Mint Bridge."
Below the the river was flowing fast swollen after the heavy rain yesterday.
Southey pointed, "that's our route alongside the the river, down the those steps from the road."
Looking at the instructions, Allen commented, "this is part of 'The Miller's Way, 1831-2006'. There was a signpost when the walk was written but it has gone."
Grizzly said, "I can tell you a bit about Miller's Way. John Dodgson Carr (1806 - 1884) left Kendal in 1831 and moved to Carlisle where he set up his own flour mill and bakery. From selling bread to the local population he soon diversified into biscuit production, resulting in having a flour mill at Silloth and a biscuit factory (Carrs) in Carlisle. Both still in production today.
As a tribute to this successful Quaker visionary a walk - The Miller's Way - has been devised. The route basically follows the trek his took in 1831, by foot and horse drawn carriage, from Kendal to Carlisle."
"Thank you pal", said Tetley. "As always adding interest to our adventures."
The soil path was muddy after yesterday's heavy rain, so Dad took care not to rush to prevent falling.
"Look snowdrops", pointed Little Eric. "Sign spring is on the way."
Initially to the left are sports fields and we saw children and youngsters playing rugby.
Soon the river swollen by the rains thundered of this over this weir
Beyond a gate by a building, we crossed the grassy area by more houses that were once part of a mill.
Grizzly told us, "This whole area was Mint Mill. All the buildings have been converted into houses and luxury apartments. There are numerous entries relating to this, but nothing of note about the history. All can say is that mill was probably water powered from the river.
As we reached the gate from the complex, Tetley pointed, "look there's a sign for The Miller's Way, that was mentioned in the instructions as the start."
Now the way led across fields. "What's that ornate bridge about?", asked Southey.
Tetley replied, "it carries one of the aqueducts, like Waterworks Bridge over the River Lune that we have crossed many times on walks. I think it is likely the Thirlmere Aqueduct."
We wandered over for a closer look, Allen saying, "you're right pal. That grid cover confirms it."
He went on "MCCW for Manchester Corporation Water Works. TA for Thirlmere Aqueduct."
Striding on Southey said, "there are sheep, and that one is posing for a picture."
"Oh noooo", cried Allen. "Shoo, go away." This was all to no avail.
The path was now away from the river, leading to a flooded gap at the lower end of a wall.
"It's not deep", said Dad as he made his way through, to then continue by the hedge and so to Helme Lane via a squeeze stile, by the gate.
"Turn right", advised Shaun. "Then shortly we go left along the access to the Catholic church at Dodding Green."
Along there we met a gentleman coming the opposite way, and Dad had a brief chat about the weather, then he asked "where are you going."
Dad explained and it was clear he knew the route.
Walking on our progress was halted by Southey calling out, "just look at that bank of snowdrops. Beautiful."
Coming to the entrance to the church, Shaun pointed, "we leave the drive right and on through that gate."
The path led on with the church to our left.
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"I have notes", said Grizzly. Rummaging, "ahh here they are."
"The building is primarily of significance as a rare example of a Catholic chapel incorporated into a private house during penal times. The interior of the chapel has 18th and 19th century fittings.
Robert Stephenson was from a Catholic family of yeoman stock which had married well. He acquired the Manor House at Dodding Green in 1687, and used the house to shelter priests. The first chapel was in the attic, with its own hiding places for the priest and the sacred vessels and vestments. Before he died in 1723, Stephenson handed over the house for use by a resident priest. This arrangement continued for some time, and although there were intervals when the house was tenanted by others, even then it would be visited by ‘riding priests’. After the passing of the second Relief Act a new church was built at Kendal, but Dodding Green continued to be used as a clergy residence and to house a chapel. In 1840 the Revd C. Brigham built an extension to the house which bears the date and his initials. He also made improvements to the chapel."
"You are mine of information today pal. Thank you for adding interest", praised Tetley.
The path wound right to a gate in a corner into pasture where there are two paths. "We keep to the one by the wall left", advised Southey.
At the far side of the pasture a gate gave access to a walled lane leading to the road by the houses.
"Go left, until we get to the side road Laverock Hill", instructed Shaun. There he told us, "we take the signed path through the gate left leading into the small valley".
Here we were sheltered from the strong gusty wind that roared through the trees above. After stile the path crossed a small hollow with scattered boulders.
"Maybe one of the boulders will be suitable for us to sit on for our usual picture", said Little Eric, hopefully.
At the same time we saw a lady and gentleman coming the other way and Dad we called out, "hello."
After the steep climb up grassy slope over the shoulder of the hill, Shaun called out, "it's ahead keeping to the right of the small stream."
Coming to a wall corner the path led on by the hedge and over a stile to come to the sad remains of Littlemire Farm. Grizzly said, "it was abandoned in 1940s."
"Walk ahead a little then climb right and follow above the sunken track that was once the farm access, and take the stile onto the road", instructed Shaun.
"That's Hayfell with its twin summits of Benson Knott", pointed Allen. "We climbed them with Uncle Eric. It is also significant as the road on which we live is named after the fell."
Taking the lane right this descended to join Mealbank Road. Then after a little way, Southey called out. "we go sharp left into Meal Bank Mill Industrial Estate."
Immediately we crossed the River Mint. "Good", said Dad, "that gets us onto the correct side for the return path."
Grizzly told us, "Meal Bank was developed by the family firm of Braithwaite after 1834, the site in general having been used for woollen, snuff and corn mills some time before 1767. More than 350 people were employed here in the late 19th century in a fully integrated mill with machinery for preparation spinning and weaving. The mill is long gone, and the area is now an industrial and trading estate, as well as residential properties."
As Dad strode on, Little Eric suddenly called out, "that building was once the post office".
Please take a picture of the postbox too, for my collection. It's very old one dating from the reign of Queen Victoria.
Onwards we passed houses that were perhaps once occupied by mill workers, and on the right the old school.
Grizzly told us, "from an article I found on the Internet, the school had two classes. One for younger children, and at a certain age they would move up to the class in the larger room. It was attended by children in the village and from surrounding farms. The building we can see beyond was the school house."
After the last house on the right, Shaun called out, "we need to go right into the woods."
The muddy path descended and brought us out onto a road. This was followed, passing Laverock Bridge House and coming to Laverock Bridge.
Once again Grizzly enlightened us. "This gracefully arched bridge was probably built in the 17th or 18th century, with later widening and parapets. The roadway is approximately 3 metres (10 feet) wide. It carries Grade II listing."
"Don't cross the bridge. but keep ahead on the road. We are looking for a path on the right that will take us by the river", stated Southey.
Keeping our eyes peeled, it was Allen who was sharp eyed calling out, "here's the stile."
The narrow path, slippy in places, hugged the gently flowing River Mint...
...then when it narrowed hurtling as rapids.
Reading from the instructions, Tetley said, "we should look for the narrow steps that descend to the waters edge from the site of Mint Mill."
After a short way Southey called out, "there they are."
Grizzly said, "on the way out we walked through the former Mint Mill site. Those buildings were part of the mill, but now converted into apartments."
Now through fields, where more sheep were grazing. "Look lambs" called out Little Eric.
"Oh heck", grumped Allen. "I'm not going top get away with Dad getting shots of the story."
"Spring is definitely on the way seeing lambs", said Tetley. "So cute."
The next stile led into an enclosed soil path that led to the A6 at Mint Bridge, and a few yards left into the car park.
" I most enjoyable route and new paths for us all", said Shaun. "Thank you Dad as always for taking us on another adventure."
"I'm going for a snack in the cafe", announced Dad.
"Fine", said Allen. "We can have out tea and cake in the car. I'm hungry."
"Ha ha, no surprise there", said Tetley.
Then we made our way home, a very happy band of brothers.
