Cartmel and Grange South West Lakes

      As I walked out one sunny morn, from the medieval town of Cartmel, don't get carried away, there isn't much else beyond this archway, the market-cross and of course the abbey. I'm sure someone will tell you there's so much more.
      We set out, myself, my friend Stewart and his dog Bruce, down the track to Holker, via the Racecourse and through the fields and woods. We are on the famous Holker Estate (pronounced Hooker). Holker is an interesting little village, in that all the estate properties are painted blue, which is in fact most of the buildings. It's also worth mentioning that what pavements here can be very narrow, awkward and unkempt. These are not pedestrian friendly streets and here as most other places, the roads are more or less given over to a race-track.
      The route takes us through Cark, then onto Flookburgh, staying upon the road. Our destination is Allithwaite but instead of following the direct road, we took the route down to the old airfield, branching to the left, by the Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding Factory, I could smell this heavenly place back in Flookburgh! We're now on the quiet Willow Lane, which leads onto Holy Well Lane. We're not far from the sea. Now we took a series of footpaths, well marked, which gave us a couple of minor view points and took us down to the beach and across a lot of arable land, Brucie was never off the lead. I also collected a number of nettle stings, due to my passion for wearing shorts on warm sunny days.
     The path lead us onto the outskirts of Allithwaite through a local stable, where we were able to see a newborn foal, still very uncertain upon it's feet, I was able to give the proud mother an apple and some sugar and a scatch of her ears. There were also a pair of young calves, resting in the shade, their mother came over and unexpectedly licked my fingers, possibly for the remains of the sugar. We now faced a hard little climb up the steep Jack Hill and then onto Kirkhead Road, which then dropped us down into the southern end of Grange Over Sands. And the Kent's Bank railway station. Not far along Kentsford Rd, there is a footpath that leads down onto a excellent path, which soon leads to the promenade. This is a section i really enjoy, as about a mile along there is a beach side cafe, at which we call upon every visit for a mug of coffee and a piece of chocolate cake, so nice after the morning's hike.



      This break and especially the cake gets us going again and we are easily stroll up the rest of the Grange seafront, past the old lido and up to Grange railway station, where we are able to cut back onto Main Street and make a planned visit to the Hazelmere Cafe and Bakery. It may well be passed noon but really it's time for breakfast, or more likely, The Mountain Man's Breakfast. Which is a huge "Gastro" Breakfast. I will happily forgive all my previous gastro experiences, for this delicious little feast. Of course the Strawberry Vanilla Slice and various cups of coffee didn't go amiss either.

Grange-Over-Sands, or Over-Grass, as it is known locally.

      How did we manage to set out again after that monster feast, well only with a struggle of course. We made a fairly rapid ascent up Grange Fell Road, past the Golf Course on one side and the Cemetery, on the other. A rapid though tired march down Haggs Lane and in no time we are back in Cartmel. Just time for a quick look at the Abbey.