"The peach and apricot slice is quite delicious, Grizzly", said Allen taking another piece.
"So I see", laughed Grizzly. "That's your fourth, and you've had three of the mincemeat slice that Little Eric has made. Truly living up to your cake stuffer reputation."
"The mincemeat slice is scrumptious pal", went on Shaun. "We are so lucky to have such expert bakers as part of our group."
"That's right", agreed Tetley.
"Thanks", replied Little Eric. "I so enjoy it. Quite relaxing and good for the soul."
After a refill of his mug with delicious Ramblears tea, Southey said, "Dad's holiday to Armathwaite Hall is next week. I have spoken with Fletcher and Polly. We are definitely invited as Dad is planning a walk one day."
"Then we need to come up with a suggestion", stated Grizzly. "There is a list of a few walks that we have identified as possibilities. Here it is."
"Let's have a look at the one from Overwater", suggested Shaun.
Allen got the iPad and navigated to the area on the OS map. While Tetley sketched out the route we followed it on the map. This has been done before and Dad has noted there is a lot of road walking that is a downside. The route skirts round Binsey, then towards Uldale."
"Hmm, we have done most of the route before a few times on different walks particularly the paths round Binsey", remarked Grizzly. "I think we should consider an alternative?"
"I'm with you on that", agreed Tetley. "What's the next one?"
"A circular that starts from Threlkeld, and takes in the path on part of the old railway line that ran from Keswick to Penrith." replied Shaun. "And this walk has never been done before, so new ground for us all."
"Also we will have dramatic views of Blencathra and Clough Head at the end of the Helvellyn range", enthused Southey.
"That seems a winner and a good one to suggest", cheered Little Eric.
"Right", called out Allen, draining his mug. "I'll go and see what Dad thinks." As he trotted out of the door he called back, "please refill my mug."
"My god", laughed Tetley. "It must be true that he has hollow legs. That will be his 5th."
"Yep", replied Shaun, pouring from the flask.
In minutes Allen returned. "Dad is very happy with the suggestion. All we need now is a decent day weather wise." Then taking the mug he said, "thanks pal."
"Great cheered", Little Eric. "Let's keep out paws crossed for a good weather day."
After we had settled in the room, we were anxious to see that weather forecast. "Hmm", said Tetley. "It looks to be an unsettled week.
"Well Monday and Tuesday are out. "Dad's having a massage on Monday, and Uncle Paul and Auntie Deborah are coming on Tuesday for dinner", stated Fletcher.
Scanning on Tetley said, "it has to be Wednesday. That looks to be a dry day, while our last day Thursday is more rain."
The day was rather cloudy, but basically dry. We made sure to be ready and straight after breakfast we scampered down the stairs and settled in the car. The drive was back along the A66 past Keswick, to soon take the road signed Threlkeld to the left.
"According to the OS map there is a car park with toilets on the right", said Shaun, looking up from the map.
We kept our eyes peeled but saw no sign of it. Dad drove on to come to the end of the village and the A66. He quickly turned round. "Look" pointed Southey. "There's a 'P' sign pointing right up that side road."
"That's the other car park past the school that Mary Welsh also refers to in the instructions" replied Allen.
It is just rough ground and thankfully there was plenty of space.
Dad soon ready and us settled in the rucksack off we went down hill to the junction.
"We go left", called out Shaun.
"Please can we go right first, as there's the post box", pointed Little Eric."
This done we made in the correct direction and went to see the church.
The sign on the door informed us that renovations were taking place so the church was closed. "Shame", said Grizzly who liked looking round churches. "Here's my notes. This is St Mary's Church. It was built in 1777 with restoration in 1910. The walls are rendered with a greenslate roof. It consists of a 5-bay nave/chancel with a rectangular west tower and porch. The nave and chancel has keyed round-arched windows and Venetian east window. It is grade II listed listed since 27 December 1967."
"Thank you pal for the education", replied Tetley.
Walking on we passed the two pubs in the village. First the Horse and Farrier...
...and then the Salutation Hotel.
The road led to the A66, where we crossed and walked the verge, Shaun saying, "we will very soon go right on the track leading to Threlkeld Hall."
"That's Clough Head", called out Tetley. "We've climbed it a few times on the way to then summiting the Dodds. I remember one particularly cold day, when you took a picture of the icicles hanging from a peat hag. You could not wait to get your gloves back on."
"Oh yes lad I remember that."
Allen said, "at the right side is Threlkeld Knotts a Birkett summit that we bagged on the quest to complete that challenge.
Turning round, of course mighty Blencathra dominated the scene. "There's Hallsfell, the ridge that takes one directly to the summit and was the way I first climbed it with my sister Elaine and her son Roger", pointed Dad.
"The cloud was down at the summit and we met with Peter and Matthew two vicars, who had just walked in a circle. The plan was to descend via Doddick Fell over there."
"However we went in the wrong direction and actually unbeknown until we got out of the mist, came down Sharp Edge, one of the most dangerous routes."
"Must have been rather scary", said Little Eric.
"Just seemed difficult, but had we known it would have been much more scary."
Past Threlkeld Hall we continued on towards the golf club. Reaching the bridge of the River Glenderamackin, Southey directed, "do not cross. We take the path right by the river."
"There are some signs of autumn in those trees", pointed Tetley. "I bet the gardeners at Armathwaite Hall hate it having to sweep up endless leaves that have fallen."
After a gate the path broadened, to come to Mill Bridge over the gently flowing River Glenderamackin.
"Cross the bridge and then along the path ahead", informed Shaun.
This took us first away from the river and then by it again to cross the ford...
...and pass through Setmabanning Farm. "This is where Auntie Jan and Uncle Brian friends from the River Bela Cafe stay", commented Allen.
"That's right" replied Dad. "They are staying here this week, but I do not know which is there motor home." As it turned out when Dad saw them next, they had in fact left for home an hour or so before we got here.
At the road Tetley said, "there are the abutments of the bridge that once carried the railway."
"Ok we cross the road and climb the bank to join the line of the old railway", instructed Southey.
"What's that?", pointed Little Eric.
"An old milepost", replied Grizzly. "You can see where the distance panel once was."
Striding on we reached another road. "Go left over Threlkeld Bridge", advised Shaun. "This is where the River Glenderamackin and St John's Beck converge."
Just a little way further, Southey pointed, "now take the path right."
This led under the impressive viaduct carrying the A66.
The path dropped down onto the old railway line again. "A seat. Let's have our picture", suggested Allen.
The seat was wet so Dad kindly let us sit on the map case.
Settled once more Dad strode off along the track that took us through this cutting...
...crossing bridges and through a tunnel.
Grizzly told us, "the line that once ran all the way from Penrith to Workington was one of the victims of the Beeching axe. Of course hindsight is a wonderful thing and now it would have been a great asset for tourists getting to the northern Lake District. Sections of it are now roads, such as that from Keswick to Cockermouth."
Soon after the track crossed the hurrying River Greta, and then ran by it to where it crossed the river once more.
Coming to a restored hut, Shaun directed, "we go through the gate right and on the short track to a lane and walk right."
This soon crossed the rushing River Glenderaterra.
"Phew", said Dad this is quite a steep steady climb, as he paused for breath.
"Lonscale Fell", called out Allen.
"Oh golly yes", sighed Dad. "I recall climbing that on a very clear day with superb views that I photographed and we admired on the stops necessary for me to catch my breath on that completely unrelenting climb to the summit."
"Aye Dad", replied Tetley. "But then you took us to all the Birkett and Wainwright summits to and across Skiddaw and down to return via Skiddaw House. We were so proud of you."
"That's so kind. I could not do that now."
The lane continued up towards the hamlet of Wescoe.
At the top we passed Wescoe Farm...
...Shaun pointing, "now through the gate signed Threlkeld."
This via more gates and stiles, of which this is one, took us across nine fields.
Sheep were grazing and much to Allen's annoyance a couple were happy to pose for Dad. "Huh", grumped Allen. "There goes the sheep picture free story once again."
Blencathra dominated the scene left. "That's Gategill Fell one of the other ridges forming the mountain", pointed Little Eric.
As can be seen there were lots of trees like these Dad snapped.
"There's one of many field barns that dot the landscape here and in the Yorkshire Dales", pointed Tetley.
Finally we joined a track that led to the road and then just a short way uphill to the car.
"Super Dad", cheered Southey. "Thanks from us all for the adventure."
"Glad you liked it. It has been good to explore the trail on the old railway at last."
So back to Armathwaite Hall to tell our pals all about the walk.
