Sedgwick and Hincaster

Sedgwick and Hincaster   5.25 miles

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That walked with us upon this Thursday.

(apologies to Will Shakespeare)

Walkers: Danny, Mike H, Dave and Anthony

'Booting Up' in the picturesque village of Sedgwick,
south of Kendal.

Leaving the village, we passed under this bridge carrying the West Coast main line. 

This farm has a 'maze' of maize.

Passing through Crosscrake (so small we didn't notice it apart from the primary school) we ascended Skettlegill Hill, still swathed in the early morning mist.

.....but the sun was showing signs of breaking through as we ascended to Skettlegill farm and Summerland beyond.

Time for 'morning coffee'

Continuing along a rather muddy track towards Eskrigg Wood

We arrived, eventually, at the most northern section of the Lancaster Canal. The creation of the M6 motorway and the A590 dual carriageway has meant that sections of the canal have been lost for posterity.

The Stainton Aqueduct on the canal is being repaired and consequently is inaccessible. 

Looking on the brighter side, a short stretch of the canal to the west of Stainton is being restored.

The two workmen have 'clocked off' for their lunch.

The Hincaster Tunnel on a disused stretch of canal.

There's light at the end of tunnel  - about 350yds away.

Some luscious looking blackberries.
("No room in the freezer" says Danny!) 

Tree of the Week

Someone has spent a lot of time placing some children's toys in interesting locations along the path that follows the disused canal.

Are these relations of John W?

Everyone knows 'Peppa Pig'. (Don't they?)

Crossing back over the A590 and heading back to Sedgwick

Sedgwick House - formerly a boarding school, now 21 residential appartments.

A canal bridge....but no canal!

Fortunately, the defibrillator was not needed.....but good to know it's there!

Footnote: This walk was voted 'The Best Walk of 2019' by all the participants.