"Happy Birthday", pal called out Shaun.
"Thanks", said Tetley. "Here's to another year of adventures."
The day was sunny and rather humid but thankfully cooler than the intense heatwave last week.
Dad ready we dashed out and settled in the car, calling "goodbye" to our Hug pals.
"Take care", called back Craig.
The route was very familiar. Up the M6 and then on to the A590, to reach Rusland Pool, parking in the large layby that was once the road.
Having got settled in the rucksack, Dad shouldered it and off we went.
"Go ahead past the Rusland Pool Hotel", instructed Southey.
"How sad to see this once thriving business closed. Yet another victim of the current economic situation", remarked Tetley.
"Keep left along that narrow path that was once the road", pointed Shaun.
This brought us to Rusland Pool.
"Our route is along the bank on the far side. There's the signpost", advised Southey.
A few steps down and over the stile Dad strode through the long grass. "how lovely to see the wildflowers", said Little Eric.
The path took us to a gate onto The Causeway by Pool Bridge.
Grizzly told us, "the bridge is Grade II listed. The date is uncertain, but possibly 18th century. Built in stone rubble it has a segmental arch with thin voussoirs of varying length. A low parapet, it is narrow being approximately 2 metres, and had not been widened."
"Thank you pal as always for adding interest to our adventure", said Allen.
Shaun issued the next instruction. "We do not cross the bridge, rather go a few yards right to that gate and continue by the river."
The vegetation was lush. "A result of the wet weather early in the year and now the hot weather", commented Southey. "As you are in shorts as usual Dad, we are glad that you have your stick to help avoid nettles etc."
"There are lots of different kinds of grasses", said Tetley. "Those there have 'flowers' like wheat ears."
Hardly had Dad set off again when Allen called out, "that group of trees will make a nice shot."
And then stopped again almost immediately by Southey. "Take those pretty flowers Dad."
Striding on Southey said, "there are sheep ahead", expecting Allen to complain, as he does not like such pictures in stories.
"They are Herdwicks, our favourite sheep", replied Allen. "I am ok with Dad trying to get shots for the story."
"Aww, so cute", said Little Eric.
The path led on passing through rocky outcrops...
...to arrive at Fish House Bridge. The information panel indicated this was once a stone structure but for the last 30 years is now steel girder and wood.
Crossing we saw adjacent Fish House the only remaining example in Cumbria.
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The river used to repeatedly change course and flood so in about 1796 it was straightened and canalized, which would have improved the navigability of the tidal river that used to be renowned for its plentiful supply of eels, sea trout and salmon.
It is possible that a stone bridge was built here then to shorten and improve the ancient pack horse route which had previously crossed the valley 400m north at Crooks Bridge. Turnpike Acts had encouraged the improvement of local trade routes to enable passage of wheeled carriages. So maybe the Fish House was originally built as a tollhouse?
Perhaps the building was used to store fishing nets, stakes and creels used by fishermen. It could have been used to smoke fish or as a base to sell fish and perhaps other products to locals and passing merchants, or to pack and process fish prior to transporting elsewhere using either the tidal river or packhorse route. No doubt it has also been used as a place to warm up and have a brew!
In the late 1880s and early 1900s, this spot would have been on the daily commuting route of the owner of Blackbeck Gunpowder works as well as many of its workers and also children attending school.
The Fish House may be more than 200 years old. It is the only known surviving Fish House in South Lakeland and was in danger of becoming a complete ruin. However with financial assistance from the Lake District National Park's 'Farming in Protected Landscapes', it was repaired in spring 2024 using traditional building methods. Existing roof slates were reused where viable and local second-hand slates for the reminder.
"How interesting", said Grizzly. "Everyday's a school day."
Strolled on through the first of the parts of glorious woodland on this walk. Good track with sections of duck boarding to get walkers over the boggy sections.
This led us to a gate onto a narrow lane. "Go left", instructed Shaun.
We strolled along, Allen saying, "I love being in the Rusland Valley, Such beautiful countryside. Fields and extensive areas of woodland."
We climbed steeply as it passed Black Beck Farm. "Ooh", called out Little Eric, "look at that owl sculpture the fence post."
Five minutes later as we passed another dwelling Tetley called out, "please take a picture of that rabbit sculpture, for the story, Dad."
Southey was reading the instructions. "At the t-junction we turn right, and then fairly soon we will come to a Y-junction. There it is left to drop down to the pretty village of Bouth."
Its well kept green and childrens play area...
...and seats provided a place for Dad to take a well earned rest, and for us to have our picture taken.
As with many villages in the area the houses are painted white, this being the Old Post Office.
Close by as we had walked down, Little Eric had pointed, "there's the post box. Please take a picture for my collection."
"Of course lad."
As we made to set off again, Dad chatted with a local lady who was walking her dog. She told us, "I have some visitors staying with me. I am planning to take them to Piel Island."
She had also asked about our route.
Shaun gave directions. "Along the road past the White Hart Inn."
We strode along the quiet lane, Allen calling out, "just look at that beautiful clematis. So colourful."
Coming to a junction Southey said, "it's left as signed to Oxen Park."
As we continued Shaun said, "we are looking for an entrance on the left into Moss Wood.
Keeping our eyes peeled, it was Grizzly ever eagle eyed who called out, "here."
More glorious woodland. In a few yards there was a waymark pointing left. "Ignore that", said Shaun. "But at the next fork we should keep left."
The path climbed steadily to reach a gate out onto open fell, where the path led on winding ever upwards with fine views of the Coniston Fells.
"Take that tree too", pointed Little Eric. "It really stands out against the sky."
We met two cyclists. They asked, "is the path ahead ok for us?"
"Yes pretty good, but a little rough in places in the wood", Dad replied. "Have you passed the church?"
"Yes it is just over the hill about 200 yards. You can't miss it."
They were right and in a matter of yards Colton church came into view. As we dropped down, a lady passed us on a bike. Dad kindly opened the gate for her and very soon her husband came through. There was a little chat and as they rode off the husband said, "we can give you a job opening the gates".
Dad replied " not sure I could run fast enough to keep up." Ha ha.
Now we visited Holy Trinity Church.
"I have some notes", said Grizzly. "Ahh here they are. This is Holy Trinity Church. It dates from 1578, the year in which it was consecrated. The tower was built in the early part of 17th century. It became a parish church in 1676, and in 1721 a north transept was added. In 1762 a vestry was built. The church was restored in 1890 by Lancaster architects Paley, Austin and Paley.
Holy Trinity is constructed in roughcast stone with ashlar dressing and a slate roof. The plan consists of a five bay nave...
...and chancel in one range containing the organ...
...and altar with stone reredos...
...above which is the stained glass east window."
Walking back to the entrance, Grizzly went on, "the font probably dates from the 16th century."
"What are those coat of arms?", asked Tetley.
"The Royal arms of King George III."
"Thank you pal for the interesting tour", praised Southey.
"We need to backtrack through the gate and walk by the wall of the churchyard", informed Shaun.
As we did, Allen said, "what are those steps for?"
"They were to assist people to dismount from a horse", replied Grizzly.
"Well I never!", exclaimed Little Eric.
After the end of the churchyard we kept ahead to stile. Due to the verdant vegetation there was no apparent path, and Dad initially went right then left but this got us into a boggy area.
Tetley said, "it would have been better to just keep ahead from the stile."
"You're right lad", as Dad returned to the stile and then did as Tetley said, forcing his way through the vegetation, the path then going right and in a few yards reaching a waymarked post pointing left, to descend to open gate onto a narrow lane.
"Turn left", said Shaun.
We passed Ridding Side Farm, Southey saying, "we ignore two right turns."
The lane climbed on passing the beautiful house called Snows Cottage...
...and finally dropping to t-junction onto the Bouth to Spark Bridge road.
"Right to find the path left into woodland", instructed Southey.
The clear path climbed left to stile into pasture that we crossed to another gate into pasture, where we walked down to between two shallow hillocks.
Beyond we dropped down left where there was a number of waymarked routes.
Shaun and Southey consulted the map, and concluded, "we go right through the gate into woodland with small beck to the left."
Here the vegetation was crowding such that it was extremely hard to work out the path.
Allen said, "if we ever repeat this walk winter would be the best time."
"Aye" laughed Tetley. "It was January when Shaun and I did it in 2002."
As a result we went wrong, coming to what was seemingly a junction, where the right path seemed better. However we now realise that we should have gone left.
The path climbed Dad forcing his way through bracken, which brought us to a gate into open area.
"I can hear the traffic on the A590 over to the left", said Grizzly.
We had now realised that we were off the route, so Dad went left, coming to a ladderstile into woodland. The bracken was dense so it was hard going for Dad to force his way through. Then came to easier ground through trees the path dropping down to skirt a wall.
The traffic noise was louder. Shaun said, "cross the wall then head straight across the open area."
Over boggy ground we then rounded a clump of trees and edged along to find a track that led left to gate onto the A590. Dad turned right, but Allen called out, "no Dad, it's left. I can see the layby just a few hundred yards along."
As we settled in the car Little Eric said, "that was quite an adventure."
"Yes a good day despite getting off route", agreed Allen.
Shaun was looking at the GPS. He laughed, "the walk is headed 'have a day on the level', yet the overall ascent has been nearly 1000ft."
