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BB2119
: All the Fun of the Fair
Thursday
6th May 2021
Or
should that be Fare? Or even Fest?
Time would tell.
It
looked if fun might be in short supply.
Coming in at around noon would be
some torrential downpours, or so we were
led to believe. Yet again, not a day
for going high or too far from home. Yet
again, we relied on an old favourite, albeit
with a twist.
Parking
by the closed Strickland Arms, we headed
straight up the hill then along to Sizergh
Castle.
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We'd
had an early start so the car park was strangely
quiet. Our route to Helsington Church
was the way that we often descend but seldom
climb.
Once
up at the view point, we could see that
the Lakeland hills were gathering some large
clouds. How far would we be able to
walk along the Scars before prudence would
cause us to turn back? Would we make
the Mushroom?
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I
had something to show the boys
on Helsington Barrows.
Rather
than climb along the edge of
the scar, I took them inland
to find a hidden, wooded path
up a minor sort of ravine that
I had discovered recently with
Margaret.
The
purpose was for a bit of fun.
I
knew that partway up the ravine
was a swing.
No
ordinary short piece of rope
slung over a tree branch but
a massive and well constructed
swing.
I
thought the Bboys might enjoy
it, or at least tell their grandchildren
about.
The
sad thing is that I couldn't
find it.
I
was following a previous gps
trail so I am pretty sure we
went to the right place and
I found where I thought it had
been but it had vanished.
Vandals?
Health
and Safety?
Mischievous
gnomes?
Whatever,
it had vanished.
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We
continued up the hill to reach the Scar
near the decision point. Should we
continue to the Mushroom or should we wimp
out and drop down to the valley? Another
glance over to the hills settled the matter.
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The
Langdales had vanished and the Coniston
Fells were going the same way Time for discretion.
Down the steep narrow path to Barrow
field it would be.
In
the woods we passed 17 members of the U3A
(University of the Third Age). Before you
think "Oh, no, here comes another Don
rant about them not respecting the Corvid
Rules," I should stress that
they were in three separate groups of 6,
6 and 5. Good for them.
Further
along was a car that looked as if it had
been abandoned. Checking with the
DVLA website seemed to confirm the theory.
No tax. No MOT.
The
rain hadn't arrived so we thought we should
take a chance and drop down to the bird-hide
in the Brigsteer Park Woods. First
however we had to find the path down through
Wells Garth. The problem was that
where it should have been according to the
OS map was a garden gate but no seeming
way through. A little further along,
we found a gated track that ran behind the
property. It wasn't locked so we went
down there. Part way down we found
a footpath marker pointing upwards through
a different garden but there had been no
sign of it at the higher level. I
must go back one day to see where it really
goes.
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Down
at Park End farm, the path led through the
farmyard. Or so it seemed. However
once on the road, we saw clear signs that
those going up should go a different way
round. Had we missed a marker? Possibly.
In
the field leading down to the bird-hide
we saw another large party, again split
into three legitimate groups and again members
of the U3A. How do I know that? Because
in the middle group was Ann, Philip's wife,
plus several other folk known variously
to Tony, Stan and Martin.
The
bird-hide was still C19 padlocked so we
headed south through the woods. The bluebells
were out but not as dense as I had expected.
You could still smell their perfume. The
long climb leads to the track that takes
you back to Sizergh Castle.
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This
time it was heaving. All the tables
were full of folk enjoying their picnics
in the sunshine. Had we made the wrong
decision?
Once
back at the car we had another decision
to make. Where to meet Stephen? Hare
& Hounds or Gilpin Bridge? The former
had just two outdoor tables, empty and exposed
to the weather, or two small covered tables
already occupied. How it can be worth
them opening just that number of people
escapes me but maybe they do carry-outs
as well.
On
the other side of the Moss, at the Gilpin
Bridge, it was another story. Extreme circumstance
like Coronavirus produce a lot of losers
but some winners. Here was a brilliant
example of two seemingly losers combining
to turn their situation into a win-win.
Across
the road from the pub is the depot for Taylors
Funfare,
which of course has been out of action for
months. That included their Dodgems
thingy. Not sure what to call it.
It's doesn't seem right to say tent
or marquee. Hall? Obviously
they haven't been able to tour and the pub
could only serve outside. Put the
two together and, with its well spaced tables
and colourful roofing, you have a feature
that would not be out of place at the Munich
Beer Fest. All that was missing were
dirndls and an oompah band.
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Bratwurst
und Chips with Steins of Bier whilst it
pours down. Prost!
Don,
Thursday 6th May 2021
PS
No Relive this week. It has crashed
and so far the technical support has been
inadequate.
Featuring
TV Mike
TV
Mike was on the tele again last week, this
time regarding the Ascent
of Everest.
Click on the link to see him in action.
Did
you miss him? He's there in the hat
at 1m 42s.
Comitibus:
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Stan,
Tony, Martin, Don
Route:
Map: OS
1:50k
TV
Mike's Latest Appearance
It
hardly compares with his earlier triumphs
but TV Mike managed another unmissable performance
last week, applauding Crazy
Craig's
succesful charity ascent of Everest (500
times up Natland Church Tower).
Click
on the picture to see his starring role
at 1 minute 41 seconds.
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