A walking weekend

Saturday we decided to go to Greenlands Farm as it is free in January.  It's a strange place Greenlands Farm.  The soft play barn there is great - well maintained, clean, okish food, reasonably friendly staff.  The farm shop is good and the cafe very good, but the actual farm is quite disappointing.  We went there in the Summer with my parents and thought it overpriced. Today it was only just worth a free entrance as there were very few animals, the play tractors were all broken, it was pretty disappointing, don't think we will go back until next January.  We were done in half an hour, so decided to head off somewhere for lunch and another activity.  We decided on Arnside which is on Morecambe Bay.  We were pleasantly surprised.  First stop was lunch which we found at the Rambler's Cafe - an extensive menu - you name it they had it, and very very good quality.  Tom had the biggest cheese scone any of us had ever seen.  Will certainly be back for more.  There were a couple of really good independent shops as well selling lots of unique items I've not seen else where, certainly a great place for future birthday presents.  Matt was also very happy as there was a viaduct here which takes trains across the bay to Grange-Over-Sands. We then discovered a walk along the shore, we walked about 1.5 miles away from the town and then turned round and walked back again.  It was a really nice walk, but not sure if it is there 24 hours a day, there was a lot of water and mud around giving us the feeling that at high tide walkers would have to dart up the cliffs to keep dry.  Anyway a good time was had by all and we will definitely be going back for a longer walk at some stage.

On the common

Sunday saw us in Ingleton again - doing another walk.  This time it was by the river, up onto a common, across the main road and then through some fields until we met the main Ingleborough path.  It was cold and muddy but Tom did really well.  He now says he 'loves walking' and I think he genuinely does.  He never whinges or complains and just keeps going.  He may say he needs a rest or a drink, but that is mainly because he likes sitting on benches more than because he is tired.  We ended up in Neptis as usual - had lunch during which we met someone who lived in The Smithy in Lupton in the 70's (she then moved to Clapham and lived next door to Alan Bennett) .  She was able to describe what The Workshop was like originally - basically the kitchen and dining room was the Smithy and the lounge a workshop - all very interesting and quite a coincidence.  I tell you everyone passes through Neptis at some stage.