Walkers :- Danny, Mick, Martin, John W, Anthony, Jim D.
As we drove onto the motorway the sky was dark and heavy and the rain was lashing down. Soon after we past Lancaster the clouds began to lift and by the time we had parked in Milnethorpe blue patches were beginning to appear.
After parking, our route led us back up through the busy little town then out across the fields.
Our continuing dispute with stiles continued. Not with over tall or slippery stiles but this time simply excruciatingly narrow.
SYMPLEGADES (Jason and the Argonauts) ?
Our tame Octogenarian leaps nimbly over a tricky stile.
Here's Danny checking it out. A small stream surfaces and then returns to the underworld.
The watering Hole obviously got the seal of approval.
SYMPLEGADES (Jason and the Argonauts) ?
Once through the squeezing stiles the rolling mounds of this lush green area (Somewhat reminiscent of the "Telly Tubbies" homeland) promised a delightful walk. The weather too simply got better and better.
Further stiles were to give us more challenges.
Our tame Octogenarian leaps nimbly over a tricky stile.
The longer car ride and our initial search for a parking spot meant that coffee time was soon upon us. a "Watering Hole" (literally) appeared as if by magic.
Here's Danny checking it out. A small stream surfaces and then returns to the underworld.
The watering Hole obviously got the seal of approval.
Once refreshed we continued over the richly grassed fields, eventually arriving at the A6 road, along which we had driven shortly before we arrived in Milnethorpe. We crossed the A6 and followed the footpath alongside it until we came to the small hamlet of Beetham. Just before reaching Beetham we passed the works where the paper used for printing banknotes was manufactured. A right turn through the village saw us heading down a narrow lane leading to "Heron Mill" where a working Water wheel powered the ancient mill.
"Coffees all round !" declared John W as we entered the mills precincts. OH THE DISAPPOINTMENT !
This would not have happened when the mill was in it's prime - but then neither would "Coffees all Round" "C'est la Vie" .
Enough water there to power the mill surely ?
They've even got a coffee grinder - Perhaps not !
We quickly recovered from our disappointment and entered the deer park where one of the " Lush green mounds " was found to be hard work to surmount.
As we topped the mounds the views which opened before us
were a delight with the distant blue of the Lake District fells providing an eminently suitable backdrop.
The Park-like grounds of the estate made for easy going (apart from the hills) and we were accompanied by some surprisingly unperturbed sheep and in the distance the herd of fallow deer the park is renowned for. Such a lovely situation with such lovely views and good company combined to almost "force" us to linger and have lunch within it.
Martin and Anthony seem to be enjoying their stay.
Whilst Danny. Jim and Mick have failed to notice that an elephant hidden in the tree is about to do something evil.
Lunch over, a small cairn close by, held a plaque which confirmed the direction we needed to take to continue our walk.
Before leaving the park we did a bit of tree hugging. Not "New Age" hippyish of course but a rule of thumb method for establishing the age of a magnificent oak. Possibly 400 years !!!
Just before we actually left the park a map on a pole showed us the exact tree under which we had just dined. How nice !
We now had quite a long ascent through a wood but not before encountering a little friend at the side of the track
"Coffees all round !" declared John W as we entered the mills precincts. OH THE DISAPPOINTMENT !
This would not have happened when the mill was in it's prime - but then neither would "Coffees all Round" "C'est la Vie" .
Enough water there to power the mill surely ?
They've even got a coffee grinder - Perhaps not !
We quickly recovered from our disappointment and entered the deer park where one of the " Lush green mounds " was found to be hard work to surmount.
As we topped the mounds the views which opened before us
were a delight with the distant blue of the Lake District fells providing an eminently suitable backdrop.
The Park-like grounds of the estate made for easy going (apart from the hills) and we were accompanied by some surprisingly unperturbed sheep and in the distance the herd of fallow deer the park is renowned for. Such a lovely situation with such lovely views and good company combined to almost "force" us to linger and have lunch within it.
Martin and Anthony seem to be enjoying their stay.
Whilst Danny. Jim and Mick have failed to notice that an elephant hidden in the tree is about to do something evil.
Lunch over, a small cairn close by, held a plaque which confirmed the direction we needed to take to continue our walk.
Before leaving the park we did a bit of tree hugging. Not "New Age" hippyish of course but a rule of thumb method for establishing the age of a magnificent oak. Possibly 400 years !!!
Just before we actually left the park a map on a pole showed us the exact tree under which we had just dined. How nice !
We now had quite a long ascent through a wood but not before encountering a little friend at the side of the track
Mrs Tiggywinkle should not be abroad at this time of day. She is a nocturnal animal.
The long steep, heavy breathing, rise through the wood was eventually rewarded with yet another outstanding view. Such precious moments have to be savoured so we elected to take our final refreshment break and sit enjoying the scene before us.
After a series of climbs we now had the relief of a downward stretch. This took us to a narrow pathway
which in turn led to the road into Sandside which we crossed to be confronted by some dire warnings.
From here we followed an old trackway along the coast.
We managed to avoid most of the listed dangers though the trackway ended in a steep drop which had to be negotiated with care.
We managed to avoid most of the listed dangers though the trackway ended in a steep drop which had to be negotiated with care.
The end of our walk was drawing near but as we passed once more through the deer park Anthony received a text message asking if the Meanderthals present wished to go on the planned Spanish holiday next May. This was greeted with a very positive response.
Anthony replying to the Spanish invitation on behalf of us all.
Over a final bridge and up the road and we were back at the cars. Once again Martin provided a welcome thirst quencher after what had turned out to be a surprisingly sunny walk.
A walk full of interest surrounded by fabulous countryside and marvellous views.
....and there's more........
Planning the assault on the next stile......
Leaving the deer Park.
Pretty as a picture......... and the cottage and flowers look nice too
Young pheasants everywhere.. "Beware the Ides of October pals."
"I can hear you but can't see you. It's mi 'at. "
And finally. One of the unphased sheep.. Xbred Suffolk ?
....and there's more........
Planning the assault on the next stile......
Leaving the deer Park.
Pretty as a picture......... and the cottage and flowers look nice too
Young pheasants everywhere.. "Beware the Ides of October pals."
"I can hear you but can't see you. It's mi 'at. "
And finally. One of the unphased sheep.. Xbred Suffolk ?
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