Walkers :- Anthony (leader) Mike, John W, Harry, Danny, Martin, John .
It was John W who started the confusion. He led us to the wrong parking spot. No matter, we could simply follow the canal 'till it arrived at the point where we had intended to park. Off we set. We should have known better as this stretch of the canal has fooled us before. After almost half a mile the canal goes under the motorway. PEOPLE can't! We had to turn around and head back to where we started. and then set off again. Well over a mile added to the planned walk.
As you can see such a minor setback was of no consequence to our sartorially magnificent bunch and it wasn't long before Harry (see left) and his tenacious companions were back on track and heading for the rather daunting limestone bulk of Farleton Fell. The longer than usual drive and the false start meant that coffee time was upon us only a few minutes after the "real" walk had begun and you dear reader know only too well by now how important beverage time is to a Meanderthal.
Leaving the public Highway our route led us steeply upwards to where the tarmac ended and a gate opened onto the limestone tracks we were to follow for most of the day and it wasn't long before the next gate opened and let us through to the beginnings of the real Limestone topography and
an ideal spot for coffee.
Coffee time over we continued the climb onto the sloping back of the fell with the massive cliffs of a quarry appearing in glimpses to our right. It was not long before the path split and we turned left (North) to weave our way between the "Clints and Grykes" of the limestone pavement which spread to either side of us. The path led us gently upwards towards our eventual goal Farleton Knot - the fells highest point. For most of us a laboured plod was the norm but not so super-fit Russell. Oh No ! he soon became a dot on the horizon (plans are being considered to let him have his head and then take a swift turn in another direction "he-he-he !" )
Here he is gracing the horizon. "Can you see him Danny ?" "No. He's gone."
As we walked, the path gradually became less distinct until we were following a single track towards a substantial dry-stone wall which bisected the the fell.
The last time (some years ago) we struggled to climb the wall which barred our way to an obvious footpath. For once we were a little wiser and turned left to follow the wall as it climbed towards the Knot.
A shout from Harry halted our progress and we turned back to look at a plant, almost certainly an orchid, which was growing amongst the tangle of other plants. After taking a photograph we carried on only to find many more of the same species. The wall and its companion the footpath climbed steadily towards the walks zenith before taking a dip into a small rocky valley and then climbing out and rising steeply to a viewpoint.
We had arrived on "Michael's Mount", Such a place does not exist so let me explain. During Michael's years of employment (work ?) he had often passed Farleton Fell as he drove along the motorway and had vowed (bit strong that !) that when he retired he would climb to the top and sit coffee in hand and disdainfully wave to the passing motorist still chained to the daily drudge. (a heartless b-----d obviously).................AND HERE HE IS !
The views as you can see were stupendous but a chilly wind drove us back to sheltered spot where lunch was partaken. Here the immediate view was greatly enhanced by two charming young ladies (Ooh Careful John. There are laws you know.) from Kirkby Lonsdale school who stopped to chat for a while.
A multiplicity of paths across the fell now led to the usual "Discussion" between Anthony and John W. as to the best path to take. In the end both routes proved to be equally acceptable. Our path now dropped steeply down towards the road at the back of the fell passing as it did large patches of glorious broom.
Down, down, down, By now the steep slope was taking its toll on the knees of several of our walkers and there was a feeling of relief when we at last arrived on a more or less level road. This short stretch of road proved quite entertaining First we met a gentleman walking two greyhounds who stopped to chat. Then "Mariner" Mounsey spotted a castle (Lupton House) across the valley and stood Nelson Like, spyglass in hand giving us a detailed description of the castellated building
And a little further down the same road a large board announced that there were Cows free on the fell. The punctuation amused our pedantic group especially as a second board contained the same message with different but equally ludicrous punctuation.
From here we left the road and followed a footpath which bent round the end of the fell leading us picturesquely back to our parking spot.
The walk had just a couple more surprises before we finished, As we walked along a rather narrow section of the path a glance down at our feet revealed that we were walking on the edge of a small but quite scary cliff hidden by the scrubby growth beside us. and then as we reached the road a VERY narrow slot between to upright stones, which served as a stile, took a little effort to squeeze through. Not more than a few more minutes and we were gathered round the vehicles we had seen from the slopes of the hill downing pints of welcome. (thanks again Martin)
CAN YOU SEE THE CARS ?
Throughout the walk Danny was snapping away with his rather superior camera, "Photoshop" is a must have for him, to avoid giving the "mistaken" impression on his photos that some of us are rather "bigger" than the slim ideal.
Well done Mike and Anthony. Another wonderful walk.
As we walked, the path gradually became less distinct until we were following a single track towards a substantial dry-stone wall which bisected the the fell.
The last time (some years ago) we struggled to climb the wall which barred our way to an obvious footpath. For once we were a little wiser and turned left to follow the wall as it climbed towards the Knot.
A shout from Harry halted our progress and we turned back to look at a plant, almost certainly an orchid, which was growing amongst the tangle of other plants. After taking a photograph we carried on only to find many more of the same species. The wall and its companion the footpath climbed steadily towards the walks zenith before taking a dip into a small rocky valley and then climbing out and rising steeply to a viewpoint. We had arrived on "Michael's Mount", Such a place does not exist so let me explain. During Michael's years of employment (work ?) he had often passed Farleton Fell as he drove along the motorway and had vowed (bit strong that !) that when he retired he would climb to the top and sit coffee in hand and disdainfully wave to the passing motorist still chained to the daily drudge. (a heartless b-----d obviously).................AND HERE HE IS !
A multiplicity of paths across the fell now led to the usual "Discussion" between Anthony and John W. as to the best path to take. In the end both routes proved to be equally acceptable. Our path now dropped steeply down towards the road at the back of the fell passing as it did large patches of glorious broom.
Down, down, down, By now the steep slope was taking its toll on the knees of several of our walkers and there was a feeling of relief when we at last arrived on a more or less level road. This short stretch of road proved quite entertaining First we met a gentleman walking two greyhounds who stopped to chat. Then "Mariner" Mounsey spotted a castle (Lupton House) across the valley and stood Nelson Like, spyglass in hand giving us a detailed description of the castellated building
From here we left the road and followed a footpath which bent round the end of the fell leading us picturesquely back to our parking spot.
The walk had just a couple more surprises before we finished, As we walked along a rather narrow section of the path a glance down at our feet revealed that we were walking on the edge of a small but quite scary cliff hidden by the scrubby growth beside us. and then as we reached the road a VERY narrow slot between to upright stones, which served as a stile, took a little effort to squeeze through. Not more than a few more minutes and we were gathered round the vehicles we had seen from the slopes of the hill downing pints of welcome. (thanks again Martin)
CAN YOU SEE THE CARS ?
Throughout the walk Danny was snapping away with his rather superior camera, "Photoshop" is a must have for him, to avoid giving the "mistaken" impression on his photos that some of us are rather "bigger" than the slim ideal.
Well done Mike and Anthony. Another wonderful walk.
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