BB1427 : Nothing We Do Is Worth Getting Hurt For

Wednesday 30th July 2014

So reads a United Utilities notice headed "Our Belief" on a gateway in Brigsteer.  Mike and Terry wondered whether to adopt it as their motto for the day.  Or was it for their lives?

As a motto, don't you think it might look better in Latin?

NON OPERAE PRETIUM EST DOLOR

Danger was not in our minds as we set off across the Lyth Valley from Mike's home in The Howe.  Our route crossed several of the dykes that drain the water from this reclaimed land that is under threat of having the pumps turned off.  It would be a much longer walk were that to be the case.

At Brigsteer we took the low road through the village, thereby avoiding the temptation of the Wheatsheaf Inn.  It was there that we saw the United Utilties belief statement.

NON OPERAE PRETIUM EST DOLOR

The climb up to Helsington Church is steepish but short and not dangerous.  
No hurt there.

Nearing Helsington Church

We admired the slowly fading mural by Marion de Saumarez that is dedicated to all the faithful departed, especially those who fell in the Great War.  Any danger or hurt that might come our way pales into insignificance compared with their suffering for King and Country.

St James' Church, Helsington

Next door, the old school house has been acquired by the Wheatsheaf to provide upmarket bunkhouse accommodation for partying groups.

Our path took us up by the side of the bunkhouse and eventually down to the dual carriage way section of the A591 just outside Kendal.  Danger definitely wizzed past here but we crossed without getting hurt.

Prizet House was the next feature of note, reputed to be the first house in the area with electricity.  This was generated by a water wheel dynamo on the River Kent, or so I am told.

We crossed the bridge over the River Kent- definitely a place to get hurt if you fall into the water flowing fast through the narrow gorge.  In contrast, the old canal is dry, so presented no danger although I suppose you could get hurt if you tumbled down its grassy bankings.

Across the field, in Natland, lies our house and our first coffee break.  

Several potential hurtings now awaited.

The bridle path is getting overgrown with nettles and I must get out with the strimmer soon to stop people being stung.

At Larkrigg, the drop from the canal bank to the field leading to the river is extrenely steep if you want it to be.  Fortunately there is a much more gentle descent available.

The Kent is wider here therefore not flowing so fast but the suspension bridge is wobbly. If the permitted 25 people were all in step it could become very "interesting" to use Bryan's word for dangerous.  If it were to collapse, no doubt great hurt would ensue but there were only three of us and it didn't.

The brief flirtation with the caravan site presented no problems and the only dangers on the path up to Low Sizergh Farm were from the attention of hens and the temptation to call in the farm shop for another coffee stop. Similarly we avoided The Strickland Arms.

Real danger shortly awaited us.  The footpath through the Sizergh Castle grounds, which is also used by the National Trust for a children's treasure hunt, contained several cows with their calves.  Even though we gave them a very wide berth (well away from the actual footpath) the cows were giving off intimidating signals to protect their calves. Young children on the treasure hunt might not be aware of how dangerous mother cows can be in such circumstances and could get seriously hurt.

Fortunately we survived and made it to Terry's new home in Levens and another coffee.

Arnside Knott from Sizergh Fell

Danger definitely lurked not much further on when we reached the Hare & Hounds but only the type that could ensue if we lurked there too long.  We just had the one pint and escaped unharmed to cross the lower Kent Valley Moss.  

The hurt here was to the feet as the remainder of the walk was on the hard roads back to Mike's house in The Howe. However Jean's delicious Elderflower juice made any such pain worthwhile.

Approaching The Howe

In conclusion therefore the slogan "Nothing we do is worth getting hurt for" has not really been seriously tested..  Such minor hurt as we might have experienced certainly did not detract from an enjoyable, triangular walk.  Mind you, it could have been a different story had the traffic, nettles, slopes, river, bridge, cows and alcohol conspired to produce a more treacherous outcome!

Don, Wednesday 30th July 2014

The No Colour Supplement

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1427 .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - see: Which Wainwright When?

For the totals of the mileages and heights (ditto) see: BB Log.

Photos have been gleaned from many sources although mostly from me!
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