Summary

Summits Achieved

Preface

Tea and cakes had arrived much to the delight of our arch tea bellies and cake stuffers Allen and Southey.

"I'll help fill the mugs Shaun", said Southey.

"Thanks pal."

Grizzly was opening the cake tins. "Little Eric has made chocolate coated flapjack. My offering is peach and apricot slice."

"Lovely", cheered Allen taking one of each. "We've not had those for a little while."

"No" agreed Tetley. "Mind you all your cakes are truly scrumptious."

"Isn't that a song in Mary Poppins", laughed Little Eric.

By the time Allen and Southey were on their fourth mugs, Shaun turned our thoughts to walks. "What are the prospects for the weather on Thursday? Dad is free and likely to agree to take us out."

Southey got the iPad and brought up the Met Office app. "A dry and rather warm day, but not as hot by any means as when we had the heatwave."

"Any ideas?" mused Tetley.

Shaun replied, "I have found another walk that was last done in 2016. That was in the year after Storm Desmond and as a consequence we had to divert due to a bridge having been washed away. For sure it will have been replaced now. So the walk starts at that layby in the old road near to Crooklands. Along the canal and then over the lower slopes of Farleton Fell, across the beck and back in a circle via Lupton High."

"Sounds good", replied Grizzly.

Later Dad agreed with the suggestion, so here is our story.

 

The Walk

As had been predicted the day was very warm with no wind, so to try and avoid the real heat, we were walking by 08:30.

Turning into the section of old road, Tetley expressed our surprise, "so many cars already here. Last time there were hardly any."

Thankfully there was space to park opposite the layby.

Dad quickly got ready and with us tucked safely in the rucksack off he strode along the road.

"That meadowsweet is pretty", commented Southey. "Make a nice picture."

At the road end we dropped down the rough slope to join the Lancaster canal, walking through the tunnel carrying the main road.

Shaun informed us, "we follow the towpath to pass under six bridges, and at the last leave the canal."

After about 10 minutes, Tetley called out. "A seat, good place for our picture. We must appear at least once in every story."

In places wildflowers like this bank of willow herb lined the towpath.

All the time the view ahead was dominated by Farleton Knott. "It's a long time since we climbed that", remarked Grizzly.

"January 2017 was the last time", replied Tetley.

Sighing Little Eric said, "I never cease to be amazed at your memory pal. Incredible."

Shaded by trees at times, we encountered this cow and another cooling its hooves. "Bet that's a nice feeling", laughed Allen.

This ruined building stands by the towpath.

"Long ago that was used to stable horses that hauled the barges", Grizzly told us.

Strolling on Southey pointed, "look swans with cygnets. A must picture please Dad."

"I've been keeping count", said Little Eric proudly. "This is the sixth bridge."

"Thanks pal", replied Shaun. "This is Duke's Bridge. We climb the steps to the road...

...then cross the bridge and walk to the main road."

Here stands Duke's House. Grizzly told us, "this building dates back to around 1630, and formerly operated as a coaching inn The Duke, serving travellers along the old coaching route between Lancaster and Kendal that is now the A6070. It was named after the Grand Old Duke of York or the Duke of Cumberland."

This was the best shot that Dad could get today, as due to road works a works vehicle was parked in front.

Southey instructed, "walk ahead along the lane to Townend Farm, and at the left end of the building it is through the gap stile into a field."

Here there were lot of cows with but they just ignored us. "Climb by the left side to the stile in corner by the wood", said Shaun.

Now was the long walk under Farleton Knott. Due to the wet weather early in the year and now the heat, the vegetation generally has gone into over drive. No more so than on this path. Overgrown with bracken, brambles and some nettles too that Dad had to negotiate to avoid getting stung.

Little Eric said, "Oh Dad, what an unpleasant section."

"Aye lad, it is rather hard going", replied Dad with a sigh.

Tetley added, "if we ever repeat this walk it would be best to do it in winter."

Reading from the instructions Southey told us, "We must ignore any paths going up the fell."

Due to the overgrown nature the route was obscured in places, and inadvertently we did take a side path that began after a little way start to climb. We had gone over a quarter mile when Allen said, "I am sure we have gone wrong."

"You're right Allen", replied Dad turning back.

We kept our eyes peeled and Tetley called out, "here's the correct route."

Marching onwards the path widened after a while making for easier progress to come to the gate on onto a narrow lane.

Giving the next instruction, Shaun said, "Straight across down to Aikbank Farm, where we ignore the access, instead branch right on rough track that will eventually lead down to Lupton Beck."

Here the bridge, destroyed in Storm Desmond that prevented us crossing Lupton Beck in November 2016, has been replaced. (sorry lads for the rather poor quality due to reflections from the sun).

As we crossed, Grizzly said, "it will be nice to have a picture of the beck."

Shaun now instructed, "now across the field to that ruined barn."

Thinking he was being clever Dad took us through the gate adjacent to the barn, but this had the effect of taking us into the wrong field, which after a bit of aimless wandering became clear.

"What now?", said Little Eric.

Our ever faithful guide Shaun, rescued the situation, "through that gate into the next field."

Here we immediately saw the waymarked kissing gate through which we should have come.

"Sorry lads."

"It's ok Dad", replied Tetley. "From the look of it we perhaps saved having to force our way through more overgrown path."

Striding across the field we climbed this stile..

...to cross the next field.

"Ooh" pointed Little Eric. "It is bounded by electric fences. how will be get out at the far side."

"Look", pointed Allen. "There are sections hooked across that are not electric to help with that."

After negotiating these we got into a wide track that we followed to houses and around these to road at Greenlane End.

As we had been doing this the scene to the left had been dominated by the impressive Lupton Tower.

"I can tell you a bit about Lupton Tower", said Grizzly. "Originally it was an 18th century standalone tower that was later incorporated into the neighbouring farmhouse building. Currently it is used as the corporate headquarters and administrative base for the Witherslack Group, a provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs."

"Turn left and continue to the A65", instructed Southey.

There Little Eric called out, "a post box. Please take a picture Dad."

"Of course lad."

"Cross and then a little way right go up opening on left". advised Shaun.

This led to a not unexpectedly overgrown bridleway, the section ending in gate at Fowlstone. Checking the map, Shaun now said, "the route and continuing bridleway is through that gate opposite."

This was even more overgrown Dad ploughing on until Tetley called out, "stop Dad. It is not fair to make you have to follow this path. We have done this section in the past but for today lets abandon it. We can always come back again in the winter when it will be much easier."

"Ok if you are sure?" replied Dad

"Yes" we all chorused in agreement with Tetley.

"Right" said Shaun. "What we will have to do is walk carefully along the A65."

This we did soon coming to the The Plough Inn at Lupton.

"I'm rather thirsty", said Dad. "So let's go in here and I can get a drink."

"Ok Dad, it will give you a rest too", agreed Southey.

In the cool of the bar Dad had a refreshing pint of orange and lemonade with lots of ice.

Thanking the lady behind the bar, we made our way out, and as we did a gentleman heading to office said "hello Aimee."

It was Sarah at the River Bela Cafe's daughter. Dad had forgotten that this is where she and Graham work. They hugged and had a nice chat. So lovely to see her! Reciprocated too.

Outside Allen pointed, "that sculpture of a horse will make a nice picture for our story."

Putting the camera away, Dad had then to immediately get it out again as Little Eric called out, "another post box for my collection."

Then we continued along the A65. It is a busy road used by cars and large lorries, the consequence being that we held up the traffic up in places.

There were some dwellings in places like this.

Eventually we came to the tiny hamlet of Nook. "What's the next place, Cranny", joked Tetley.

"Ha ha", said Shaun. Then "we go left here along that lane. This will bring us to a t-junction. There it is right to Nook Bridge."

Arriving there, Shaun instructed, "do not cross the the bridge. Take the lane right by the beck and keep ahead at next junction. This will bring us to Doverhouses Bridge, where we can rejoin the canal."

Then just the matter of retracing our route to the start.

"That was quite an adventure", said Grizzly. "For future walks just now we need to find ones that can avoid the paths that are so overgrown."

"Aye pal" agreed Tetley. "We should go over to Yorkshire. The routes are generally wider tracks."

"Yes", said Allen. "Dad will be happy with that as he can take us to Elaine's Tearooms as Feizor afterwards, where he as gone nearly every Monday for years."

"I hear you Lads. Couldn't agree more."

So then to River Bela Cafe for lunch and we came in too of course. Tracey and Hillary were there and Dad sat with them having a good chat. Nice way to end the day. They liked us especially Little Eric!

Dad had brie bacon and cranberry pannini with chips. Tea and rhubarb crumble and custard.

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