Furness Way

FW03: Levens Bridge to Helsington

Saturday 12th February 2011

A lot has happened since the last stage. With hindsight, one can see there were warnings in early and then late December. Indeed, reference was made to problems in FW01 and FW02. However, nothing prepared us for the consequences of 23rd January. That is the day I had my fit and the world changed.

I spent just over a week in hospital in varying degrees of consciousness and comprehension whilst tests were undergone. By the time I was released, the conclusion was that I probably had a non-malignant brain tumour.

By 12th February, I was much more aware and had a reasonable level of physical ability even if mentally a little slow on the uptake at times. Given a good weather forecast, we decided to undertake the next stage of the Furness Way.

One of the negatives of my condition is that am now banned from driving for the time being. On the other hand, a benefit is that both Jamie and Emma (plus Luca) have come home, from Crete and Munich respectively, to help Margaret look after me. So, today at least, we had no shortage of chauffeurs!

Looking back down Levens Park

Emma dropped Margaret and me at Levens Bridge and we set off through the Park on the north side of the River Kent. At the far end, we turned left and on reaching the main road, crossed over by the Heaves Hotel entrance, heading towards Sizergh.

Helm as when when approaching Sizergh

Nearing Sizergh Castle

The footpath past the cottages led us across the fields to the Castle car park and cafe where we stopped for coffee and cakes!

The machine in the cafe.....

..... and the real thing- Sizergh Castle

From here, our destination was Helsington Church but rather than take the direct route, our path lay across the fields to the west and then up the hill to the church, a climb I remembered well from the That's Lyth walks (see BB0803 and BB0904).

Looking back to Sizergh

Distant view of Helm

Lyth Valley team photo

It was a lovely late afternoon as we climbed the hill but sadly, as we reached the church, a cloud obscured the sun.

Lyth Valley

More importantly, however, Jamie was there waiting for us and the section had been completed without any obvious adverse consequences, which is greatly encouraging.

Don, 12th February 2011