WALKERS :- Anthony, Danny, Paddy, Mick K, Vic
John W, Martin, Mike H, Harry & Jim D
Parking was not easy in the small but busy village of Staveley. We parked in various spots then congregated next to St. Margaret's Tower.
Next to the tower was a road which quickly turned into a narrow footpath leading over a bridge to the other side of the River Kent.
The start of our walk took us away from the river and across the fields.
Once across the field we stopped to admire an old farmhouse complete with it's ancient "Spinning Gallery". These are a feature of Lakeland farms and particularly those near Coniston . Here the ladies would sit under the eaves sheltered from the weather and able to use natural light for their spinning.
Having driven further than we usually do it was now after 11 o'clock so we stopped for coffee. At a "Hardrock Café" perhaps.
We continued across the fields where the stiles we met were invariable well constructed and "helpful" in that , in some cases, they had handrails. Wow !
After wending our way through an apparently fearless flock of sheep we arrived at our next stile.
Here a delightfully friendly but pesky pony warmly greeted us as we tried to climb over It seemed to want a cuddle from each person before it allowed us to continue on our way.
Pesky (but lovely) pony gets a cuddle from James.
Marked on the map was a sewage works. We seem to come across these at regular intervals (NO comments … Thank You !). This one we had met up with before. The policy statement on the gate would be a good one whatever ones occupation.
We were now following a tarmacked road but not for long as we soon dropped down into the woodland. The quaintly named "Beckmickle Ing ". ( Ing being an ancient word meaning "Wet, marshy area").
We walked down through the woods till we once more gained the banks of the river Kent.
The path led us to a recently constructed bridge. Here, as we rested briefly to step onto the bridge and watch the river, two roaringly noisy jets hurtled across the sky ….. and it STARTED to RAIN !
Waterproofs donned we crossed the farm track and continued across the fields now closely following the bank of the river. Many of the fields we walked through were full of long grass and wild flowers. We assumed these were destined to become hay or silage as no animals were grazing in them. Then we arrived at the well tended and mown acres of a golf course.
(sorry about the poor quality of this photo - Rain on the lens.)
The path skirted round this development which was well planned and we thought quite attractive. We would see more of it as we did the "return" trip.
We were now following the "Dales Way" and although blue skies filled the horizons it continued to rain quite heavily.
Our next significant "target" was the village of Bowston at which point we would turn to follow the opposite bank of the river back to Staveley.
As we arrived at Bowston the rain stopped and the sun came out. An ideal spot to rest and have our lunch.
The village also boasted a well preserved Victorian post box.
The next photo shows that the sunshine was only given to us for lunchtime. As soon as we set off again..... so did the rain.
The path squeezed it's way between some most attractive houses and gardens and the river to our right. John W pauses (poses) briefly as he admires the flowers along the path which continues behind him.
The path now closely followed the banks of the Kent as we headed North back towards Staveley. It wasn't long before we arrived at the large modern development we had passed on the other side of the river. The "Old" parts were very attractive and the modern parts certainly didn't cause objectionable comments,
……… and so off along the river banks which proved to be most attractive.
Past the new bridge where the rain had started on our outward journey. Now, though, the sun was shining.
The sunshine didn't last long and the rain resumed it's assault as we continued to follow the river. Stopping at intervals for the group to gather together.
As well as the well constructed stiles we came across some quite incredibly large gate posts.
Some of these stones could quite easily have graced the standing stones and circles of prehistoric Britain. Perhaps they once did ????
From time to time we veered away from the river to cross fields thus cutting out the bends of the river.
A final stop close to the river to finish off our flask. As we did so a tree on the horizon became the centre of attention. Was it an Oak, a Maple (Sycamore) or an Ash ?
Mike went up to investigate and here he comes bearing evidence.
It was an Ash !
Through a final well constructed kissing gate and across a couple more fields and we arrived at the road into Staveley,
The front runners had a short wait at the road for the others to catch up and five minutes later we entered the edge of Staveley. Not sure so small a "Town" merits ...outskirts !
As we walked back to the cars we discovered that the residents of Staveley were not devoid of a sense of humour.
THE END
(Until last Thursday of course)
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