The tea and cakes had arrived, Allen helping Shaun fill the mugs.
"Thanks pal."
"You're welcome", replied Allen. Then taking a long pull at his mug went on, "ahh Ramblears tea. Deelicious."
Tetley asked, "what are the cakes?"
"Chocolate coated flapjack from Little Eric, and I have made Chorley cakes" replied Grizzly.
So we all dug in. "You are without a doubt the best Chorley cake maker anywhere", called out Southey, buttering another.
"Love the flapjack too Little Eric", went on Shaun.
"Thanks. I aim to please."
Our mugs were recharged, Allen already on his third, being the arch tea belly and taking after our Dad.
"Sooo....is there any prospect of a walk this week", mused Southey.
Little Eric checked the calendar. Tomorrow he's at a concert in Manchester with our pals Wayne and Crumble. Then Tuesday at Elaine's meeting Aunt Pat, Uncle Leo, Uncle Ken and Aunt Raie. Then the rest of the week is free, although he will be lunching at the River Bela Cafe on Wednesday and Friday."
"So that leaves Thursday", stated Tetley. "I know you are very persuasive Allen, but we need and idea that will really tempt Dad."
"I have and idea", said Shaun. "Walk 34. As published it starts in Austwick, but as the route will take us through Feizor, we could park at Elaine's instead."
"Oh that sounds a great suggestion pal", responded Grizzly. "The prospect of lunch at Elaine's afterwards, will I am sure be just the temptation we need."
"And we will get to go in too", cheered Little Eric.
"Right Shaun let me have the sheet, and I'll go and ask Dad", said Allen.
He was soon back and there was a wide smile on his face. "It's on" he called out. Then taking the refilled mug went on, "thanks Shaun."
Settled in the car, off we went on the ever so familiar route to Feizor. Laughing Dad said, "heaven only knows how many times over the years I have driven this route."
"Uncle Brian loved coming to Elaine's and I recall he said, 'Monday was Feizor day'", replied Allen. Then tearing up he sniffed, "I miss him so much."
"I know pal", replied Tetley, putting a comforting paw on his shoulder.
Pulling into the car park, Dad said, "I'm going to have a mug of tea before we set off."
"That's fine", cheered Southey. "We can have some tea and cakes ourselves. We have brought the flasks and I have made scones for us to have."
"Lovely", said Grizzly. "You are the ace scone maker, pal."
The tearoom was quiet, so Sharon sat and chatted with Dad. Her twins are coming to the end of their university courses. "Scarlet is doing auditions for her drama and dancing. Sophie is applying for nursing posts, at the hospitals around the area. No success so far."
"I would have thought they would have been crying out to take nurses on."
"Not that easy as hospitals hiring health assistants rather than trained nurses, to save money."
"That's scandalous. One wonders about the quality of care?" said Dad.
This got him into conversation with couple, who agreed. They were staying at Thornbrook Barn. He knows how good the site is as Uncle Bob and Aunt Ann have stayed there a lot. Nice interesting chat.
The day was sunny and mild so Dad was able to walk in t-shirt and shorts for the first time this year. As the time went by it clouded over a bit.
Settled in the rucksack, off we went through the hamlet. "There's the old water pump" pointed Tetley.
At the end of the hamlet it was through the gate onto the rising track.
Climbing on Tetley pointed, "the 318m unnamed summit that we have called Feizor Nab, it very craggy on this side."
At the top we passed through the gates by the sheep pens. "Wow", cried Southey. "What a superb view of Pen-y-ghent and Plover Hill at the far end."
Shaun directed us. "Not along the track that leads to Higher and Lower Bark, but over the ladderstile in the wall to the left."
Over this our descent route stretched before us, initially through the gateless gaps in the walls..
"That's Ingleborough on the left forming the backdrop", commented Grizzly.
Shortly looking left, Little Eric pointed, "let's have our picture sitting on that rock."
"Good idea", agreed Allen, as we scrambled out of the rucksack.
Settled again Dad strode off, only to be stopped as Southey called out, "a picture of that bare tree will make a nice shot."
Scanning ahead, Allen called out, "it must be over that stone step stile."
A few minutes later the path crossed Wharfe Gill Syke via a arched footbridge. A minute later we stopped again, with Shaun pointing to the hillside in the distance. "That is Norber. We can see the erratics. Boulders brought down and deposited millions of years ago by a glacier."
"We have climbed to the summit at Thwaite Scar twice. In 2008 and 2015", commented Tetley.
"Wow pal. I am still amazed how you can recall these facts", said Southey with wonder in his voice.
A smaller stream was crossed via this clapper bridge...
...and so onto the road by a final stile.
"Left then take the right fork at the corner along the private road through Wharfe", instructed Shaun.
Rounding a corner a car was coming so Dad skipped back out of the way as road is very narrow. This then met a landrover so there was some manoeuvering. "Rush hour in Wharfe!!" laughed Allen.
Followed the paths and tracks, to pass the house called Beacon Light with the 1749 new extension. Lady owner sitting out talking to another gentleman. Dad stopped briefly saying "I chatted to you on a previous walk."
She replied, "which bears have you got with you today."
Dad replied, "the ones that always come on the walks."
As we walked on Grizzly said, "once seen?"
The track led past this tiny house. "I know we have included a picture in other stories, but please take on for this?", asked Southey.
Shaun told us, "the path leads on into Crummack Dale, but shortly we need to double back and drop down."
"Here", called out Allen who had been keeping a look out.
"Look at that amusing sign on that gate", called out Little Eric
"Reckon that is an old railway sign", said Tetley, laughing.
"Those daffodils will make a nice picture", pointed Allen.
Passing a building the the walled path swung left. Suddenly Grizzly called out quietly, "look pals, there's two deer.
Austwick Beck, sparkling in the sunshine, runs by the path...
... and passes under the road opposite Silloth House, via Mill Bridge.
"I wonder if there was ever a mill here?", mused Tetley
"Thought you might ask that", replied Grizzly. "So I did some research. Yes there was a mill here in the 19th century, called Austwick Mill. Originally established as a corn mill, in the 1810s it had been converted as a cotton-spinning and silk spinning factory. It was expanded in 1843, but with the mechanization of the textile industry many smaller rural mills struggled to compete against larger urban factories, leading to its eventual closure."
"Thank you pal", praised Tetley
"Turn right, then we branch off right along Thwaite Lane", said Southey.
The lane climbed steadily. "When we did this walk last time it was combined with another, so we missed a short section. So doing that today will be new path. We need to look out for a footpath left before we reach the road."
We kept out eyes peeled, Allen calling out," here it is."
Over the stile we crossed a field to another stile into yard of a house, and then through a gate onto narrow path by house and gardens to the road.
Going left down past Austwick Hall we joined the main road. "Turn right", called out Southey.
"Heck that heather is absolutely magnificent", called out Little Eric.
There was a memorial seat, opposite the Game Cock Inn.
"I'm ready for a little rest" said Dad. Then before walking on, he took our picture.
Later Grizzly told us. "I looked up Margaret Bacon. She was brought up in the Yorkshire Dales and educated at The Mount School, York and Oxford. She has written over 15 novels including the Northrop Hall series. She lives in Wiltshire."
"There's the post box" called out Little Eric. "Please take a picture Dad. It dates from the reign of King George VI."
At the Market Cross it was left then Shaun said, "right here along Graystonber Lane."
Here we passed this large residential building.
"It's called The Weaving Shed", pointed Southey. "There must be some history attached to it."
At home Grizzly researched it and was able to tell us. "It was built in the 1600s serving agricultural or utility functions before being converted into a weaving shed in the 1700s. This was a common cottage industry adaptation in the rural north of England, where agricultural families engaged in textile making to supplement their income. Following restoration by architect owner, it retains much of its historical charm, including exposed traditional beams, roof trusses and characteristic stonework. It is now private holiday accommodation."
Taking the route we are familiar with we crossed the Little Bridges that Grizzly told us date from the 15th century.
Reaching the road Southey said, "turn left."
"Ooh the bank of daffodils on the verge are beautiful", called out Tetley.
Past this, Shaun said, "we take the track Wood Lane to the right. It is signed Feizor."
"Go as far as the corner then over the stile and across the field", advised Southey.
At the far side we came to a stile onto Hale Lane, with another stile on the far side."
"Climb both stiles then straight up the hill to the stile on the skyline", said Shaun.
Here the view opened out with Feizor in the distance.
"Right" said Dad. "Just a case of following the path over the fields and over the nine stiles to the hamlet. A while since we have done this route."
"It will give your leg muscles plenty of exercise getting over the stiles", commented Little Eric. "Glad I am in the rucksack."
"As we reached the car, Tetley said, "thank you Dad for a super walk. You are so good to us."
"You're welcome lads. It's been a good day!!"
So lunch now and as usual we got to go in too.
George was having lunch. so we joined him and Dad had a lovely long chat. So good to see him. Dad had steak and ale pie with mash and vegetables. Tea. Then apple crumble and custard.
After George left he chatted a little with Elaine and Jonathan. Really good day all round. Elaine and staff are like family!
