BB1702 : The Haunted, Frightened Trees

Thursday 12th January 2017

What a dilemma.  Gales up to 70 mph and heavy rain showers on Wednesday or the chance of less wind and much less rain on Thursday.

Which would you choose?

Bryan, of course, thought we were wimps and intended a Wednesday conquest of Whinfell.  We thought otherwise.

Back in Kendal, at times the sun shone brightly and I was almost thinking that maybe Bryan knew something I didn't but then the wind got up and the rain fell down and I knew I was right!

So the cunning plan was set for today.  Tony to drive me to the Hare & Hounds at Levens, picking up Terry on the way.  We would then walk back over Helsington Barrow and Scout Scar to Cracalt (Natland) following which I would drive to reunite us with the H&H and, after indulging in activities within the limits set down by law, Tony with his car.

It almost worked out like that.

I can't now remember why but instead we started walking from Terry's house which gave us a different outlook on Levens to that planned but probably saved some distance and definitely some climbing.  It was the first opportunity for Tony to get his new boots dirty.

We passed a number of interesting features, including, at the village shop, a kindness to dogs that drink responsibly and a disused small reservoir by the side of the road- its purpose defeated us.

We were back on track when we entered the fellside that climbs gently to Helsington church.  Once again we entered to admire the mural.

We spotted a few other things we had not previously seen, including a wooden stand on the pulpit for a pocket watch so that the vicar would know when he had inflicted enough sermon on the congregation.

As we made our way along to Scout Scar we could see the cloud forming over the Coniston Hills to the west.  It was a bit windy but not seriously so.

Things looked more serene in the Arnside area.

At last the Mushroom came into view, the barren silver birches resembled Dylan's haunted, frightened trees.  

We were five minutes ahead of schedule.  By now it was getting very cold and we had to race three other people to make sure we claimed the quadrant in the lee.

We lunched but decided this was not the time or place to linger.  After we set off it started to hail but only briefly and not heavily.  We headed east across Helsington Barrows.  Here it was sheltered from the wind and much more pleasant.  We continued down to Helsington Laithes where, sadly, a secluded road end was heavily infested with litter.  My solution for dealing with the miscreants might not win universal approval but would, I am sure, be highly effective!

Immediately after that mess is the medieval Helsington Laithes Manor.  It is featured on The Castle, Towers and Fortified Buildings of Cumbria website and for several years offered bed & breakfast but is now thought to be closed to the public.

Next: across the A591, down Scroggs Lane to the River Kent, opposite the site of the Watercrook Roman Fort although little if anything of it can now be seen. We followed the Kent south, disturbing a cormorant en-route, being charmed by a robin and disappointed by the amount of debris hanging from the trees, possibly the aftermath of last winter's floods.

On the opposite side of the river is the outflow from mysterious underground watercourse that I encountered when researching the Natland Treacle Mines.  Click on the link and take the tour.

Near the Hawes Lane bridge are the remains of a water powered generator that was used to provide the first electricity supply in the area, to Prizet House, up the hill to the west.

Comitibus: Hawes Lane bridge over the River Kent

At the bridge we gave Tony the option of a direct route to Cracalt or to continue along the river.  We chose the latter for him, passing, on the other side, the remains of a gunpowder works (now a caravan site) and Stig's Dump.  Or at least that is what we used to call a small area by the river that I believe was once a tiny quarry for some rare mineral.  I can't remember what.

Map shown: Memory Map OS 1:25k

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1702 .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - or for the totals of the mileages and heightages (ditto) see the Excel file: BB Log.

You can navigate to the required report via the Home Page

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although mostly from me and other BOOTboys. Likewise written comment.

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BOOTboys 2017

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