LEVENS

 DEER  PARK  DALLIANCE   4 + MILES

TODDLERS :-  Mike, Jim C, Danny, Vic, 

                          John W, Anthony, Paddy.

Soon after 10.15 we parked in a busy layby on the A6 near to Levens Hall. Jim C and Paddy had arrived just before us. We were soon togged up and on our way. 

Just across the road was a gateway style leading into the Leven's Deer Park.

Virtually all of todays straightforward walk was over estate parkland.

Mike checks out the information (and rules) before we venture further.

Throughout our day we came across ancient and venerable trees. Some, centuries old.

As we ascended this gravelly slope Vic slipped and ended up flat on his face.  Sorry NO photograph ... too busy helping him to his feet. 

The footpaths through the park were obviously much used and clearly marked ahead of us. To the right here is the River Kent. It proved to be a most attractive river with crystal clear water.

Although NOT always very close to the river,  the walk generally followed the banks of the Kent.

The path then rose away from the river and through a group of fallen (or felled trees). Although todays esteemed leader suggested that the trees would make an excellent lunch spot (lots of seating)

The group perversely decided to  clamber over the stile and sit against the wall for coffee break. 

The default style of stiles on the estate seemed to involve stone steps to rise and fall over walls.

For some of us, me included, sitting directly on the floor involves somewhat strenuous efforts to get up again. (with many a sigh and groan). We're getting OLD fellas. Of course it serves us right for not bringing collapsible stools..... we all have them.

No matter.    Back on our feet again we set off to tackle the next stone stepped stile.

Soon after we reached the bye road passing Brettargh Holt...... once a home for unmarried mothers run by nuns (in less understanding times).  Then an activity centre and now a hotel in the "VILLA"   group.

Alongside the road was this attractive but rather busy front door.

Our route now lay underneath the dual carriageway linking the M6 to the A6 and on to Kendal.

This proved to have a spectacular walkway (only mildly !)

HELLO !   What's this little lady doing. She seems to be collecting voluntary donations for the "right" to take in the view from what was a small area of private land. Nobody seemed to be taking it seriously though as many of the coins looked to have been there a long time.

We had now reached the "Zenith" of our walk and crossed a road bridge to take to the fields.

Hmmm ... Rather more than yer  average field stile.

As we walked up the hill and away from the stile the imposing Sedgwick House came into view.

I remember as a boy playing cricket on our garden lawn. Our lawn, however, could not compete with having your own cricket ground as a lawn !  

And look. What's that blue thing ?  A modern take on "Elopement" 

Onward and upward.

More boyhood games......

Dandelion clocks !   You need a big puff Mike,  I BEG YOUR PARDON !

At the top of the hill were two things off interest. A bench  (lunchtime approached)  and a bridge to nowhere ????

That man looks far to "Cool" and self satisfied !

But what about this bridge ??

There it is.   A bridge over.................................................................Nothing !

In a rather out of focus picture we see our brave troop standing in the Lancaster canal ???  Well it was the Lancaster Canal but it was long since closed and the water drained away.

The next pictures show us walking away along a path which follows the route of the now disappeared canal.

Leaving the canal path we dropped down to recross the M6 to Kendal dual carriageway.

A short walk along a road brightly lined by dozens of cowslips we returned to the deer park.

Over another of  the ubiquitous "stepped" stiles.

Just inside the parks perimeter was this almost classic country cottage.

I have no idea what he is thinking... but "Stick" with it Mike.

It gets worse !    I think it must be something in the air.

This ancient avenue of trees , whose species were a mystery till we visited our identification apps (on our phones) and concluded that they were Sessile Oaks, was quite magnificent.

Was this a new tree or part of the old one growing from the roots ?

What can we see at the top of the field ?

A herd of Roe Deer I think .

A seat ?

At this point we found ourselves back close to the river.

And then we came across a quite different herd of animals.

A rare breed of goats called  BAGOTS.

Looks like some child has lost her wellies.

Our walk was nearly over but we decided upon a little extension to visit Levens Hall cafe.

The cafe, when we found it, was a rather "Posh" affair where we were asked to wait outside to be seated.  This was not for us,. Twee country cottage or seaside garish more our style. We left and proceeded to the cars.

Here we are leaving the grounds of Levens Hall.

C'mon Vic !

A short and simple walk but with some quite interesting bits, See you all next week.   We hope.

J W