tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39956635675241442462024-03-12T19:00:09.164-07:00Wetheral Cottages BlogWetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-86252971350761589832013-08-10T13:26:00.000-07:002013-08-12T11:35:15.694-07:00Angle Pikes and Tarn - The best on the list.Sometimes perhaps it is the time of day and the light but the view of Angle Tarn from Angle Pike was one of the best new Lakeland scenes I have enjoyed for a while – I can’t wait to enjoy this walk again.<br />
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We weren’t able to set out to the walk until after 4.00pm but as the day had been a little overcast it was now improving at pace. The Ullswater Valley is close enough to <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wetheral Cottages</a> to be just a short journey to the start of our walk. Parking the Car in a small lay-by at Bridgend on the A592 between Patterdale and Hartsop we could easily pick out our starting route, after crossing the valley bottom a steady climb saw us up to <a href="http://www.wainwrightroutes.co.uk/angletarnpikes_r1.htm" target="_blank">Boredale Hause (the col between Angle Pikes and Place Fell).</a> We stopped on the way up to pass the time of day with a shepherd who was assessing the whereabouts of a ewe and lamb in preparation for a gather (bringing the sheep off the fell) the following day in preparation for clipping (shearing) the following day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jw9IIM6-WOY/UgadgY9cWMI/AAAAAAAAAM8/JYhf9rcJH5Q/s1600/Angle+Tarn+2+550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" jsa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jw9IIM6-WOY/UgadgY9cWMI/AAAAAAAAAM8/JYhf9rcJH5Q/s320/Angle+Tarn+2+550.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angle Tarn from Angle Pike</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.herdwick-sheep.com/herdwick_wool_clothes.html" target="_blank">Wool</a> this marvellous natural fibre but the <a href="http://www.herdwick-sheep.com/herdwick_wool_clothes.html" target="_blank">Herdwick </a>and Swaledale sheep which are the main breeds in this terrain produce a rather coarse wool. Recently much research has been undertaken into alternative uses and we now find it used as house insulation but traditional garments woven or knitted with Herdwick wool still benefit from the weather proof properties of the basic product.<br />
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From Boredale Hause we swung right the path becoming a bit more rugged and our expectations to see Angle Tarn became more eager. Our first good view of the tarn came from the top of the first of the two Angle Pikes, the light on the tarn and the surrounding fells made the scene worth the effort. The rain the day before had cleared the air and from this vantage point we could clearly see, Penrith, the Dumfriesshire Mountains to the north and towards the southeast High Street, round to Helvellyn in the west. Brothers Water (always thought it a funny name for a lake!) glistened up at us as well. We were ready for a drink so bagged the second Pike and then found a sunny crag overlooking the tarn for <br />
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our break.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothers Water from Angle Pike</td></tr>
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Knowing the route we had chosen took us well beyond the tarn, we were not able to enjoy the view for perhaps as long as we would have wished, so descending from this crag to the tarn we were able to follow a newly laid path along the edge of the tarn but this soon gave way to a route that was a bit indistinct and then back onto a newly laid path. Stopping a couple of times to check the map to ensure our instincts were taking us in the right direction we soon saw Hayeswater in the distance, then once it was below us we found the path down, this being the aim of our decent and from where we were to follow the service track back to Hartsop.</div>
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Reaching Hartsop the walk had already taken us just over 4 hours a little longer than planned and yet the terrain had not been difficult but there was still good light as we took the path to Patterdale which led back to our car. Yes even if we were just to climb up to the pikes and paddle in the tarn the walk gave some of the best views I have seen for a long time. Angle Tarn we will be back.<br />
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Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-50631713859505550272013-07-17T15:30:00.001-07:002013-07-17T15:30:32.352-07:00Where was James Bond at this Smuggler's RetreatAs the good weather continues a walk on the cooler side of hot was called for and as it’s also enjoyable to go to another area within the county a costal walk seemed to fit the bill. St, Bees is just over an hour away from <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wetheral Cottages</a>. With the expectation of it being cooler on the coast and perhaps an onshore breeze, we chose the walk around St, Bees Head. The walk was taken from “OS More Lake District Walks (Pathfinder Guide)” a 6.5 mile walk with less than a mile of road walking. This was the area I was brought up in, so I knew the route well, but despite living and working within a couple of miles to one of the highlights of the walk – Fleswick Bay – this was only my fourth visit to the bay, but another memorable one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OB0CWBLLxpo/UecTP2qUktI/AAAAAAAAAL4/Eu8jjwwaSD8/s1600/General+View+of+Beach+2+rd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="180" iya="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OB0CWBLLxpo/UecTP2qUktI/AAAAAAAAAL4/Eu8jjwwaSD8/s400/General+View+of+Beach+2+rd.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St, Bees Beach and Village</td></tr>
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The walk starts from the seafront Car Park from where the first part of the route is easily visible and appears more challenging than it really is. This is also the start of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_to_Coast_Walk" target="_blank">Coast to Coast Walk</a> so those treading the route to Robin’s Hood Bay would traditionally touch the sea before leaving. Walking up the south head gave us good views, despite the heat of the day causing a hazy skyline, of the beach, village, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasdale" target="_blank">Wasdale Fells</a> in the distance also to the south <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasdale" target="_blank">Black Combe</a>. Once up the South Head we could see a hazy Isle of Man and Southern Scotland. We met very few other walkers and within the hour were sitting enjoying refreshments on the shingle in <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/st-bees-fleswick-bay/" target="_blank">Fleswick Bay</a>. The sea was a clear blue and one could just imagine this as an ideal location for James Bond to land with his young lady! Yes this is a really idyllic smugglers cove location and with no road access and set between the mastiffs of the north and south head it still retains its wow factor. <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/cormorant/index.aspx" target="_blank">Gulls and Cormorants</a> flying to and from the nesting sites visible high up on the south head held our interest as we enjoyed watching the receding tide.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSPy39QRmyA/UecTrimx-eI/AAAAAAAAAMA/QjyNMLpJMw0/s1600/Fleswick+RD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" iya="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSPy39QRmyA/UecTrimx-eI/AAAAAAAAAMA/QjyNMLpJMw0/s320/Fleswick+RD.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fleswick Bay from the North Head</td></tr>
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The path up onto the north head had been clearly visible as we walked towards Fleswick but though the joints seemed to have stiffened (obviously we had enjoyed the ambience of the cove for too long) as we climbed up onto the north head we were rewarded with a good view point looking back into Fleswick. The path then took on a rather steadier gradient up to the highest point near the Lighthouse. The head is an PSPB Reserve and we found several viewing hides along this part of the walk, we took advantage of one of these and were surprised to see some very precarious ledges packed with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillemot" target="_blank">Guillemots. </a><br />
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The <a href="http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses/lighthouse_list/st_bees.html" target="_blank">St, Bees Lighthouse</a> now controlled from some central point stands quite majestically on the top of the head, I remember as a small boy being show round the workings and was amazed at the size of the bulbs used. The path continues steadily on along the cliff edge and soon the industrial landscape of West Cumbria becomes clearer – wind turbines very much in evidence today. We took a slight detour to Birkhams Quarry, a sandstone quarry, and from there took the lane to the village of Sandwith.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ehpUsuwmBE/UecUUl2YWcI/AAAAAAAAAMM/cu25YVgG1Ec/s1600/Guillemont.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" iya="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ehpUsuwmBE/UecUUl2YWcI/AAAAAAAAAMM/cu25YVgG1Ec/s320/Guillemont.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gullemots on St, Bees Head</td></tr>
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Whitehaven was once one of the major English ports with sailing ships trading with the Caribbean, Americas as well as slaves. <a href="http://www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Beacon</a> and <a href="http://www.rumstory.co.uk/" target="_blank">Rum Story</a> in Whitehaven are well worth a visit and very informative of this period of Whitehaven’s history. Empty ships return to the Americas often took on sandstone as ballast, this was used for building and was I believe used to face a government building in America. The building required some renovation in the late 60’s so Birkhams Quarry was reopened to fill this need and still produces a small amount of building material as required.</div>
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Once in the village we joined our first stretch of road, then about ¼ of a mile out of the village we took a narrow lane to Demesne Farm, through the farmyard then a short lane walk we found ourselves crossing the Whitehaven to St, Bees road. Here we once again had good views into the Ennerdale Valley. The route then leads through another Farm – Bellhouse – then the path drops down into the St. Bees valet and we soon see a sign off to the left which signals the route those heading along the Coast to Coast route should take but we continue on to St, Bees some 2 or 3 miles ahead and of course our ultimate goal. <br />
<br />Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-79472703176922769532013-06-27T11:52:00.000-07:002013-06-27T11:53:50.004-07:00The Power of Cumbria - Fell Ponies <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fell Pony from the Society Website</td></tr>
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Fell Ponies, known for their stamina and quite temperament but it is testament to their versatility that the breed has survived to today, for their ancestors probably roamed this area even before Roman times. Before the days of mechanization, the Fell Pony was a "jack-of-all-trades,' shepherding on the fells of <st1:country-region><st1:place>England</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s <st1:place>Lake District</st1:place>, working as a light farm animal and pulling the family carriage on various occasions as well as being a <st1:city><st1:place>Lakeland</st1:place></st1:city> fells to the merchants and lead from mines to the coast for smelting. Today, Fell Ponies are popular for both riding and carriage driving. In fact the Queen owns Fell Ponies which were driven by her husband, Prince Philip, in international competitions and he often used to appear at The Lowther Horse Trials held each August. Follow the history and current information on the <a href="http://www.fellponysociety.org.uk/about_breed.htm" target="_blank">Fell Pony Website.<o:p></o:p></a></div>
Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-23860008991219955882013-01-23T13:42:00.001-08:002013-01-30T02:37:46.937-08:00Welcome to 2013 and News from the Cottages<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">Welcome to 2013</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>This year we decided to donate to Charity in lieu of Christmas Cards so our local <a href="http://www.lazonbyparishcouncil.org/fr.html" target="_blank">Lazonby First Responders</a> who have attended guests in need of urgent medical attention have benefited.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>We have posted a Voucher which currently offers previous guests and their friends as well as colleagues a 15% reduction off any full priced 7 day stays completed before 16th, March of 10% off Weekend (Fri to Mon) or Mid-week Breaks (Mon to Fri)—it certainly will make someone happy. <br />
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Reservations must be booked at least 10 days prior to arrival and is subject to availability, contact us direct eith by email or phone from our website.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Penrith Increases it’s attraction</span></div>
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Penrith is due to become an even more vibrant shopping centre with the imminent opening of the <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Penrith+new+squares&hl=en&tbo=u&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=xhsAUbWzK6Wa1AWayIDYDA&ved=0CEUQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523" target="_blank">New Squares</a>. The town has a great atmosphere and the recent opening of two more supermarkets has given it a new boost. <a href="http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/index.jsp" target="_blank">Sainsbury’s</a> opened at the east end of town whilst the local supermarket chain <a href="http://www.booths.co.uk/store/penrith/" target="_blank">Booths</a> opened opposite <a href="http://morrison’s./">Morrison’s.</a> Booths stock a wide range of locally sourced food and are a well respected northern supermarket with a simple philosophy “Sell the best goods available, in attractive stores, staffed with first class assistants.” </div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>Penrith is more than supermarkets, it is a “Real Life Shopping Experience” with a wide variety of individual stores where service is not extra and prices inline with what is being offered elsewhere. The town has three local butchers all of a high standard and <a href="http://www.cranstons.net/" target="_blank">Cranston’s</a> also run the Cumbrian Food Hall on the edge of town where they produce a tasty Cumberland Sausage which our family have enjoyed for over 25 years, but we now prefer the Cumberland Sausage found at Little’s the butcher in <a href="http://www.thoroughlyfood.co.uk/members/littles-butchers" target="_blank">Devonshire Arcade, Little’s</a> recipe is just a little spicier. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy! Cumberland Sausage</td></tr>
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In 2011 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_sausage" target="_blank">Cumberland Sausage</a> was awarded “Protected Status” so must be now produced in the County of Cumbria and made to specific ingredient quantities. The legend of Cumberland Sausage probably started around the West Cumbrian port of Whitehaven which imported a lot of spice and sugar from the Indies but before docking in <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Whitehaven+Cumbria&hl=en&tbo=u&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Yx4AUdjhL-O60QXAyYGIDQ&ved=0CEMQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523" target="_blank">Whitehaven </a>some of these taxable items were unloaded at the Freeport on the Isle of Man and then smuggled across to the <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/west-coast-cumbria-overview.htm" target="_blank">Cumberland Coast</a>. The smuggles would often hide out in farms and leave some of the contraband as payment for the farmer’s hospitality and silence. Of course the Custom men were constantly on the prowl and so the story goes the farmers wife was making sausage when she became aware of the imminent arrival of the customs officers and in her desperate bid to conceal the spices left by the smugglers she threw the lot in with the sausage mix and continued to make the sausages, so was born the <a href="http://www.cumberland-sausage.co.uk/" target="_blank">recipe for Cumberland Sausage</a>.<br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;"><strong>Lowther, Askham and beyond.</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKKVYZOctCM/UQAWYjmy6yI/AAAAAAAAAJs/Cxku8piQ-ck/s1600/Lowther+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKKVYZOctCM/UQAWYjmy6yI/AAAAAAAAAJs/Cxku8piQ-ck/s320/Lowther+Castle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lowther Castle now being renovated</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/lowther-castle.htm" target="_blank">Lowther Castle</a> and the rejuvenation of the Castle gardens has moved quite a pace since our Blog of September 2011 and so the gardens should have developed to be well worth another visit this year. 130 acres of gardens must take a lot of up-keep and obviously employed numerous gardeners at one time. The <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LowtherCastle" target="_blank">Courtyard Café</a> is now open and this grand setting adjacent to the old castle is, on a beautiful Cumbrian day, an idyllic place to relax for a while, then view the ruins now in an advanced stage of restoration. <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=lowther+castle+gardens+pic&hl=en&tbo=u&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=iSAAUf2sLsrK0QXH64DgDA&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523" target="_blank">The Castle</a> will not at this stage be fully restored but brought back to provide a safe environment which can be used to tell the tale of the Lowther families who lived there. With a plethora of country walks within the Lowther Castle area the Courtyard Café has become a welcome staging post.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECAAGFp6S_k/UQAW8RXAzCI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/IUu0NNB4sEo/s1600/View+from+Heughscar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="103" oea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECAAGFp6S_k/UQAW8RXAzCI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/IUu0NNB4sEo/s200/View+from+Heughscar.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View From Heughscar Fell towards Ullswater</td></tr>
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The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Lonsdale" target="_blank">Lowther family</a> have lived at <a href="http://www.askhamhall.co.uk/" target="_blank">Askham Hall</a> since the demise of the castle and here also has been developed a Tearoom in the old farm buildings, it certainly has created an old worldly atmosphere—not tried the stone baked pizza’s yet but had good reports. </div>
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From <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Askham+pics&hl=en&tbo=u&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=VyEAUcGuLvG10QWis4DYDA&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523" target="_blank">Askham</a> it is a reasonably gentle uphill stroll to the top of <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=heughscar+hill+pics&hl=en&tbo=u&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=iiEAUZbsBcK-0QWg7IDYDA&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523" target="_blank">Heughscar Fell</a> from where there are great views over Ullswater and the Helvellyn Range of fells. This is one of those viewpoints accessed with not too much effort yet offering really rewarding views, as with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Crag" target="_blank">Castle Crag</a> and <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=walla+crag+pics&hl=en&tbo=u&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=GCIAUaioLY610QX5y4H4DA&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523" target="_blank">Walla Crag</a> in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borrowdale" target="_blank">Borrowdale Valley</a>. As you headed on up towards Heughscar Fell you are sure to see a herd of <a href="http://www.fellponysociety.org.uk/" target="_blank">Fell Ponies</a>, who's ancestors probably roamed this area even before Roman Times. <br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>Before the days of mechanization, the Fell Pony was a "jack-of-all-trades,' shepherding on the fells of England's Lake District, working as a light farm animal and pulling the family carriage when required. For centuries the Fell Pony’s major role was as a pack or pannier pony carrying goods of all kinds. Their work was both local and long distance, particularly carrying wool from the Lakeland fells to the merchants and lead from mines to the coast for smelting. Today, Fell Ponies are popular for both riding and carriage driving. <br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><strong>Let the Train take the Strain</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qd9Ld53krrI/UQAXpnco1lI/AAAAAAAAAKA/LVuhkIfU8FA/s1600/Carlisle+to+Settle+Railway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" oea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qd9Ld53krrI/UQAXpnco1lI/AAAAAAAAAKA/LVuhkIfU8FA/s320/Carlisle+to+Settle+Railway.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Settle to Carlise Railway</td></tr>
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The <a href="http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/" target="_blank">Carlisle to Settle Railway</a> (though it goes to Leeds) has had a chequered history, on being threatened with closure - there was outrage: critics of the closure pointed out that this was a main line, and the campaign uncovered evidence that British Rail had mounted a dirty tricks campaign against the line. However it was saved and is now a thriving and very scenic route. The short journey from Langwathby or Lazonby to Carlisle runs adjacent to the River Eden and is well worth enjoying. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBbGim93TRY/UQAYQsk3BNI/AAAAAAAAAKI/RCKDI4KZlN8/s1600/carlisle+castle+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBbGim93TRY/UQAYQsk3BNI/AAAAAAAAAKI/RCKDI4KZlN8/s1600/carlisle+castle+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/car/carlisle.htm" target="_blank">Carlisle has much to offer</a> and the railway station is just a stones throw from the city centre and no parking charges. Carlisle, though small by city standards, is a cultured and vibrant city and in 2012 was voted the “Happiest Place to Live” (not quite first as I don’t recall them questioning the residents of Great Salkeld!)<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>Castle visits as a small boy were an extremely boring experience things have changed, <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/carlisle-castle/" target="_blank">the Castle</a> and <a href="http://www.tulliehouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">Museums in Carlisle</a> are fun and interesting.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong>Places to Visit within Half an Hours travelling</strong></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ullswater+pics&hl=en&tbo=u&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=pCMAUc7JH8Sl0QWHl4HgDA&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="131" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UPF3gjzVy84/UQAYgD1TvsI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/faKepuFXWuk/s200/Brotherswater.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brotherswater</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ullswater+pics&hl=en&tbo=u&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=pCMAUc7JH8Sl0QWHl4HgDA&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523" target="_blank">Ullswater Lake and surrounding valleys and fells</a> with many easy and difficult walks or climbs. </div>
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<a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&tbo=d&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=kyQAUe6lAsG-0QXY04DwAg&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523&q=Carlisle%20town%20pics" target="_blank">Carlisle the Great Border City</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.northpennines.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Northern Pennines</a> - <a href="http://www.ukgap.org.uk/getting-involved/organisations/north-pennines-aonb-and-european-geopark.aspx" target="_blank">European and Global Geopark</a> great walks through varying wildlife habitats.<br />
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Sleddale a peaceful and perhaps desolate valley made famous by the cult film “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withnail_and_I" target="_blank">Withnail & and I”</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPsjWRsnu1Y/UQAYwjonvPI/AAAAAAAAAKY/9tYaQCr1fVQ/s1600/Sleddale+Hall+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="126" oea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPsjWRsnu1Y/UQAYwjonvPI/AAAAAAAAAKY/9tYaQCr1fVQ/s200/Sleddale+Hall+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleddale Hall</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=keswick+images&hl=en&sa=X&tbo=u&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&ei=jFAAUcCQH-TK0AWN4oDwDA&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523" target="_blank">Keswick</a>, Lake Derwentwater and home of the pencil & <a href="http://www.pencilmuseum.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pencil Museum</a>, and popular “<a href="http://www.theatrebythelake.com/" target="_blank">Theatre by the Lake”</a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><strong>Places to Visit in under an hours travelling</strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=windermere+pics&hl=en&tbo=u&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=P1EAUe7uE8PC0QWcxoHoDA&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523" target="_blank">Windermere,</a> Grasmere, Ambleside Lakeland History, <a href="http://www.hop-skip-jump.com/" target="_blank">Beatrix Potter</a>, <a href="http://www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lake Cruises</a></div>
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Hadrian’s Wall and the Roman Forts <a href="http://www.vindolanda.com/" target="_blank">Vindolanda</a> and <a href="http://www.hadrians-wall.org/enjoy.aspx" target="_blank">The Roman Army Museum</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.southwest-scotland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Southern Scotland</a> home of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns" target="_blank">Robbie Burns</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=western+Yorkshire+Dales+Pics&hl=en&tbo=u&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=vlIAUeGANYe50QXLlYCYDQ&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=523" target="_blank">Western Yorkshire Dales</a> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/" target="_blank">Check Availability and Dates from here</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>We look forward to welcoming you in the coming months. John and Linda</em></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dmQzj7Q1GMQ/UQAZaMC3MQI/AAAAAAAAAKg/YmdhD3eUUjA/s1600/Fell+ponies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dmQzj7Q1GMQ/UQAZaMC3MQI/AAAAAAAAAKg/YmdhD3eUUjA/s1600/Fell+ponies.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fell Ponies on Heughscar Fell near Akham</td></tr>
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<img height="60" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPsjWRsnu1Y/UQAYwjonvPI/AAAAAAAAAKY/9tYaQCr1fVQ/s200/Sleddale+Hall+2.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: -95px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 325px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> <br />
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Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-6300395584959394802012-08-27T09:32:00.002-07:002012-08-27T09:35:18.033-07:00Water Fools (Fous de Bassin)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h2>
Water Fools (Fous de Bassin) an extraordinary show </h2>
Early in August the bay at Keswick came alive! Lakes Alive
promoted the production of Water Fools (Fous de Bassin) an extraordinary show
on water and part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. The story (though a little
difficult to follow) was of a man who’s humdrum life was transformed when his
head inexplicably burst into flames and then extraordinary things began to
unfold.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WU0Zk8FiWek/UDudxQ8GpVI/AAAAAAAAAI8/NOSJRgNMs8A/s1600/Adj+Fools+Water+Keswick+8+12a+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WU0Zk8FiWek/UDudxQ8GpVI/AAAAAAAAAI8/NOSJRgNMs8A/s320/Adj+Fools+Water+Keswick+8+12a+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The crowd all seated on Crow Park,
a real natural amphitheatre, enjoyed the performance throughout, as one after
another, the props and characters were introduced to the watery stage. Good
lighting and a finale firework display all surely made for a great evenings
entertainment.<br />
<a href="http://www.lakesalive.org/" target="_blank">Lakes Alive</a> have promoted many great Events in the region over the last few
years visit their website to see future events.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ecL0qpdm9Wk/UDuefnZFj2I/AAAAAAAAAJE/d9gqgBS6Tmg/s1600/Adj+Fools+Water+Keswick+8+12b+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ecL0qpdm9Wk/UDuefnZFj2I/AAAAAAAAAJE/d9gqgBS6Tmg/s320/Adj+Fools+Water+Keswick+8+12b+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Keswick is also the home of <a href="http://www.theatrebythelake.co.uk/index.asp" target="_blank">"Theatre by the Lake"</a> Cumbria's leading professional theatre company, which produces a
traditional summer seasons of drama, much loved by Keswick's summer audiences, as well as a winter program - there is always something for everyone in Cumbria. Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-52456775199721598312012-08-20T12:41:00.002-07:002012-08-20T12:41:40.698-07:00A day at "Via Ferrata"<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Day at Honister Mine and "Via Ferrata"</span></b><br />
<i>Don't pass over the pass without a look in!</i><br />
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My grandson (age 11) and I (very old!) enjoyed the “Go-Ape” experience at Whinlatter Forest last year and said we would progress to “Via-Ferrata” this year, so became a little disappointed when there appeared to be planning issues at Honister and thought our plans had been scuppered. However all seems to be in order now so we pre-booked our experience and enjoyed a fantastic day there last week.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7f3Lbr-01g/UDKOt8rPtsI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/W0cmU5-YpUo/s1600/Welc+Honister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7f3Lbr-01g/UDKOt8rPtsI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/W0cmU5-YpUo/s200/Welc+Honister.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Just about a 40 minute drive from Wetheral Cottages and plenty of room to park, as we were in the first party; the day a rather balmy but very windy one. A great senic journey through the "Jaws of the Borrowdale Valley". On the way there I had been explaining to my grandson that normally the temperature falls as we gain height and with the car showing the current temperature it was a great opportunity to demonstrate my geographical knowledge!. It all went wrong as we travelled further down the Borrowdale Valley the temperature rose and rose even more as we traversed up the Honister Pass. (I’m sure that was what I learnt in Geography but it probably has something to do with the change from Fahrenheit to Centigrade!!)<br />
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After registering, we and about 8 others in our group were all kitted out with a safety harness and hard hat, following our safety brief we were off along the track to the side of Fleetwith Pike. Honister was a big industrial, site mining mainly slate, and evidence of that is still very much to be seen. The first part of the climb was mainly climbing down and did help us become accustomed to our safety equipment and obviously gave our guide a good indication as to the party’s capabilities. Each member of the party was always secure being attached to a safety rope that ran alongside the route taken and our guide was constantly watching you abided by the safety rules. (common sense really)<br />
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The Via Ferrata is a climb made up of “U” shaped metal bars secured into to rock face which support you and these give you a safe foot and hand hold whilst giving you the experience of rock climbing. The second section was more challenging than the first and really did give you the concept of standing on a rock face and overhangs with 100s of feet below you. (Sorry my grandson has reminded me it’s meters now!). This part culminated in the traversing of a rope bridge. I found this quite hard work but my grandson, whilst not too happy about the wobble, crossed without too much difficulty. It was good then to sit on an outcrop and enjoy the view across the valley to the fells opposite Robinson and Dale Head for a few moments.<br />
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“Onward and up ward”, the final short climb led to a “Cargo Net” stretched out between two outcrops - it made an interesting final climb but perhaps a real rock scramble would have been better. A final walk up through some mine workings to the top of Fleetwith Pike we were able to enjoy the views over Buttermere, Crummock, Loweswater and a little beyond but sadly the day was deteriorating so the Solway Firth and Scotland were not visible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D_fAb8uO_uo/UDKQc377lOI/AAAAAAAAAIg/0720S9Fc7kw/s1600/Fleetwith+from+Honister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D_fAb8uO_uo/UDKQc377lOI/AAAAAAAAAIg/0720S9Fc7kw/s200/Fleetwith+from+Honister.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fleetwith from Honister</td></tr>
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We had booked for the Mine Tour also and with Lunch included in this package we just had time to enjoy a hearty bowl of soup and a sandwich before the Mine Tour began. Our mine guide introduced us to the mines history and a short video then, suitably equipped with hard hats and lamps, I felt we should be singing the Seven Dwarfs song “Off to work we go…..”. The mine entrance being a short bus ride from the visitor centre, the bus ride in it’s self being quite a thrill if sitting on the righthand side of the bus, the ground falling away quite fast to the right of the roadway..<br />
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The tunnel into the mine was quite low at points but once inside the huge cavern that had been hewn out, our guide explained the workings and history of the mine in a very enjoyable way, his light-hearted talk was aimed at all ages and explained how some of the children there would in the past have been expected to work in the mine (with no electronic gadgets) just brawn. We moved on through a labyrinth of tunnels each leading to yet another large cavern with more explanations of how the workings progressed in the early part of the last century.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CS5ZepF9fJs/UDKQdxnHgrI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Vq2ttksQqCQ/s1600/Robinson+from+Honister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CS5ZepF9fJs/UDKQdxnHgrI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Vq2ttksQqCQ/s200/Robinson+from+Honister.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robinson from Honister</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My grandson and I had an enjoyable day though he did not enjoy, what he thought was rather like a History lesson, as much as the Via Ferrata. Sadly Mark Weir a local Borrowdale boy, who had the vision to see Honister as a visitor attraction, offering local employment in a differing way, was killed in a Helicopter accident. I hope his family are able to continue with his vision and we look forward to returning to perhaps enjoy a “Zip-wire” from Fleetwith back to the visitor centre. After all there was an aerial rope way at the mine in the early 1900’s. Concerns about the flora around Honister have also been raised but again all this has already withstood hundreds of years of industrial discharge and workings but I saw no evidence of any recent disruption.<br />
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Visit <a href="http://www.honister.com/">www.honister.com</a> for more information but better still go and enjoy all that is on offer at Honister.<br />
<br />Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-1665559099550634022012-08-19T12:35:00.000-07:002012-08-20T01:40:37.539-07:00Do Ya Ken John Peel?<div>
<a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/car/caldbeck.htm">Caldbeck</a> the resting place of the famous huntsman John Peel was very quiet, with no baying hounds in sight just a braying Donkey when we stopped off for a cup of tea recently. Though we did try to sing “Do you ken John Peel” but the acoustics or the singer were not in tune so it was back to “I love to go a-wandering…..”!!<br />
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Our walk to <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/car/caldbeck-st-kentigerns-church.htm">Caldbeck</a> had started at <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/car/hesket-newmarket.htm">Hesket-Newmarket</a>, mecca for real ale fans and home of the famous <a href="http://www.hesketbrewery.co.uk/">Hesket- Newmarket Brewery</a> and <a href="http://www.theoldcrownpub.co.uk/">Old Crown Inn</a>. On this occasion we refrained (sadly) from starting with a pint of “Doris’ 90th, Birthday” bitter but normally a good lunch or bar meal at The Old Crown, to boost the energy prior to the walk to Caldbeck is well worthwhile.<br />
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The route follows the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Caldew">River Caldew </a>to it’s confluence with the Cald Beck, the two rivers form a small Isthmus just before joining and the walk around the Ithmus is well worth the extra effort. The route crosses the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bridge_over_Cald_Beck_and_St_Kentigern's,_Caldbeck_-_geograph.org.uk_-_97428.jpg">Cald Beck </a>and follows this stream to Caldbeck.<br />
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There are several places for refreshment and craft outlets to browse in Caldbeck, the first one we came to was <a href="http://www.watermillcafe.co.uk/">Priests Mill,</a> then we wandered up the main street to join the path again. Leaving the village the route took us up past the <a href="http://www.dalesandvaleswalks.co.uk/photowalks/lake_district/0097_caldbeck_from_hesketnewmarket_via_knott/0097-35_.html">Old Bobbin Mill</a> to the <a href="http://www.thecumbriadirectory.com/Town_or_Village/location.php?url=caldbeck">Howk</a>, a limestone gorge, which I’m sure will be quite spectacular in times of more abundant water flow. A bridge here crosses the gorge before the path crosses a field to the road. Once at the road head back towards Caldbeck but take the first road on the right signed to Upton. Through this hamlet take the lane to the left signed Matthew Rudding, a farmstead which you skirt through before crossing a few fields to join the road back to Hesket Newmarket.<br />
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This walk was inspired by a walk depicted in a book titled “Borders of Lakeland” by Robert Gambles, published by Cicerone Press in 1994.</div>
Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-5430275822374710242012-02-07T04:38:00.000-08:002012-02-07T04:44:01.699-08:00Sunday mornings are not to be rushed! However this November Sunday, the weather was improving from a rather misty start at <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Wetheral Cottages</a> and it looked set to be a bright afternoon. November is also the time of year when the light starts to fade - so a short walk is perhaps all that light will allow.<br /><br />Picking up a guide book “Walking in Cumbria’s Eden Valley” by Vivienne Crow, I thumbed through and found a walk “Quarry Beck and Ridgewood”. Reading through the description, it appeared our best option was to start the walk halfway, as the most appropriate tearoom was at the start of the suggested route.<br /><br />Parking was found, adjacent to the lovely open green on the outskirts of <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/car/brampton.htm">Brampton</a>. The signpost here, guides you up to the ridge (this is the only significant bit of uphill). The name is obvious as from the ridge great views towards the Southern Scottish Mountains, but on this occasion the day had not improved to give the perfect picture but it was impressive enough to want to return. The ridge path soon veered into a wood with a wide woodland path lined with huge beech trees. The path along the ridge was also dotted with differing benches, just great for entertaining the youngsters – see who can run on and find the next seat first!<br /><br />The path then dropped away from the ridge down onto a quiet road which eventually joined the Brampton to Lanercost Road, the latter being our destination and teashop. A good clean airy tearoom with an excellent selection of calorie replacing cakes – another plus point for repeating this walk. (in fact we have enjoyed this walk again with friends the Soup was good and warming as it was a cooler January day).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/car/lanercost-priory-church.htm">Lanercost Priory </a>founded in 1169 by Robert deVaux, is open to the public April to October. As with most iconic properties in this part of Cumbria, they have transferred from Scottish to English ownership and back often in turbulent times. Records show the first raid on Lanercost took place in 1280, when the priory had just been visited by King Edward 1st. But Lanercost had its day when Edward returned in 1306 a dying king and ruled the Kingdom from Lanercost. Lanercost effectively became the capital of England as Edward summoned Parliament to Carlisle and brought all the seals of the crown with him.<br /><br />In 1346 the Priory suffered a damaging attack by King David II of Scotland who desecrated the monastic and priory buildings as well as the land around. Sir Thomas Dacre was granted the site during the Dissolution of the monasteries (1536) who converted part of the site into his residence, a great deal of restoration has taken place over recent years also.<br /><br />The return route was by the side of Quarry Beck, which runs through a secluded gorge, which at a more appropriate time of year will be alive with birds, nesting or feeding their young. Joining the road again a footpath along the side soon becomes evident and the route follows this back to Brampton.<br /><br />The route was extremely dry, considering the recent weather, so a walk well considering, perhaps, after a night of heavy rain, even the path adjacent to Quarry Beck was not muddy at all – though we did find a few muddy bits on our second expedition.<br /><br />Sorry no images for this blog but can’t wait to return on a clear day as I look forward to enjoying what I think must be great views from the Ridge.Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-78609757838488173122011-10-27T12:51:00.000-07:002011-11-08T01:43:00.719-08:00Howtown to Glenridding - a lakeshore walk.<div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div>Taking the <a href="http://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/index.shtml">Ullswater Steamer </a>from Glenridding to Howtown then walking along the lake shore back to Glenridding is one of those walks that have become an annual pilgrimage. We have had a couple of mornings that were rather frosty but by and large October has been very mild and the forecast for our allotted day was good. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o36maonfycw/Tqm__BLkoDI/AAAAAAAAAHk/SLjo_EtWxwQ/s1600/view%2Bto%2Bpooley%2Bbridge%2B1%2Badj.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 116px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668272695392116786" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o36maonfycw/Tqm__BLkoDI/AAAAAAAAAHk/SLjo_EtWxwQ/s200/view%2Bto%2Bpooley%2Bbridge%2B1%2Badj.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The 1225 sailing was our aim and the journey down the side of the Ullswater to Glenridding seemed almost trafficless, so we had plenty of time to park before boarding the <a href="http://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/aboutus-ourfleet.shtml">Lady Wakefield</a><a href="http://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/aboutus-ourfleet.shtml"> </a>to Howtown. Being October the lake was not very busy in fact there seemed to be very little wind for the yachts.<br /><br />Once at Howtown we sat on the lake edge and had a snack before staring the 6.5 mile walk back to Glenridding. The first short section of the walk has some great views up the lake to Pooley Bridge, Dunmallard and to the right <a href="http://blog.wetheralcottages.co.uk/2011/08/afternoon-on-heughscar-fell.html">Heughscar Fell</a>. Despite being a lake-shore walk the route is constantly going up and down but rounding the first corner we look across the lake to <a href="http://www.mywainwrights.co.uk/2010walks/120610/gowbarrow_fell.htm">Gowbarrow (another walk I must do again) and Aira Force </a>hidden behind the trees.<br /><br />Were back to <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-06otckBMSMU/TqnARdwJX0I/AAAAAAAAAHw/3nxj-8Unahg/s1600/silver%2Bbay%2Bview%2Badj.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 136px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668273012299358018" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-06otckBMSMU/TqnARdwJX0I/AAAAAAAAAHw/3nxj-8Unahg/s200/silver%2Bbay%2Bview%2Badj.jpg" /></a>shore level again now and heading for Sandwick, a hamlet of a farm and a few houses, tucked away on the southern shore of Ullswater (the lake lies roughly east to west). Streams always seem to make good resting places and little further on where the path crosses Scalehow Beck a number of people were already enjoying the babbling stream. Our lunch box was already empty so no need to stop here.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Allx0rRgGHY/TqnAyO49YYI/AAAAAAAAAH8/2EvcIPU5FOA/s1600/swinside%2Bknotts%2Badj.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668273575245472130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Allx0rRgGHY/TqnAyO49YYI/AAAAAAAAAH8/2EvcIPU5FOA/s200/swinside%2Bknotts%2Badj.jpg" /></a><br />The path now meanders up and down through a wooded area, though still close to the lake, the wood consists of predominantly Birch with <a href="http://www.british-trees.com/treeguide/elders/nbnsys0000004324.htm">Elder</a> and Rowan <a href="http://blog.wetheralcottages.co.uk/2011/05/peace-of-sheep-country.html">(see the story of the Rowan bough on our blog)</a> as well as a few <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniper">Junipers</a>. Coming out of the wood you find yourself at the top of a rocky crag, above Silver Bay, with great views across the lake to <a href="http://www.wainwrightroutes.co.uk/sheffieldpike_r1.htm">Sheffield Pike </a>and Glenridding. The walkers in front of us deviate off to Silver Point to enjoy another perspective of the lake but a cup of tea is what we need.<br /><br />A mile further on <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVqkMYyRezk/TqnBLCw7Z5I/AAAAAAAAAII/Bqo6QMIh9bE/s1600/Side%2BFarm%2BAdj.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 124px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668274001487292306" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVqkMYyRezk/TqnBLCw7Z5I/AAAAAAAAAII/Bqo6QMIh9bE/s200/Side%2BFarm%2BAdj.jpg" /></a>we reach Side Farm and from here the path turns right through the farmyard towards Patterdale. As we enter the Farmyard the welcome sight of a small teashop is just what we need and of course a farmhouse sized piece of cake (I didn’t waste a crumb – delicious). It’s all level going now and just another mile back to the Ullswater Steamer Car Park. As we passed the <a href="http://www.mountainrescue.org.uk/">Patterdale Mountain Rescue HQ </a>the absence of a few of their vehicles probably meant they were out assisting someone. The local news next day confirmed they had assisted a <a href="http://www.mountainrescue.org.uk/news/2011_034">7 year old boy who had been hit by a falling rock on Helvellyn</a>, he was flown to Hospital in a Helicopter – so I hope he has not been put off enjoying the Lake District Fells in the future. For further details of the missions Patterdale Mountain Rescue make and support them, <a href="http://www.mountainrescue.org.uk/support-us/">use this link to visit their website.</a></div></div></div>Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-38187052048153022762011-09-01T12:41:00.001-07:002011-09-21T08:25:30.134-07:00<div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Lowther Castle and Gardens near Penrith<br /></span><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DAKOaVc0Ol4/Tl_n2P4AtgI/AAAAAAAAAGs/qqZBncdDvLU/s1600/Lowther%2BCastle.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 132px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647487376906302978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DAKOaVc0Ol4/Tl_n2P4AtgI/AAAAAAAAAGs/qqZBncdDvLU/s200/Lowther%2BCastle.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.lowthercastle.org/home">Lowther Castle and Gardens </a>now in the early stages of a re-development programme is about 8 miles from <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Wetheral Cottages </a>and being somewhat inquisitive as to what was happening there, it proved to be quite a rewarding hike around the gardens.<br /><br />The castle and gardens have lain neglected for about 70 years and whilst tracks have been forged <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGdlLOhIn98/Tl_owv-z3bI/AAAAAAAAAG8/ge3ESP9JVR4/s1600/Summerhouse.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647488381957168562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGdlLOhIn98/Tl_owv-z3bI/AAAAAAAAAG8/ge3ESP9JVR4/s200/Summerhouse.jpg" /></a>through the 130 acres of grounds there is much still to be done, before it could be classified as a garden. However the walk around the grounds gave glimpses of past glories, with many features still remaining but somewhat overgrown. A summer house stands on the western edge of the grounds with marvellous<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rw5-_YPBHOA/Tl_oNjWGruI/AAAAAAAAAG0/xj9bFPwSeaI/s1600/Summerhouse.jpg"></a> views across the river <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/lowther.htm">Lowther</a> to Helton and beyond. What a great testament to the craftsmen who built it and the quality of wood used. As if this structure has remained un-maintained for many years it is still in great shape today.<br /><br />Lowther Castle was of course once the home of the <a href="http://www.lowther.co.uk/index.php/the-lowther-family">Lonsdale family</a>, who played a large roll in the development of Cumbria and especially West Cumbria having interests in mining and land ownership. Without going into a full family history of the Lonsdale family here, the Lowther Estates at their prime gained much wealth from coal mining and it was said you could travel from the West Cumbrian coast to the east coast without going off land owned by the <a href="http://www.lowther.co.uk/index.php/lowther-estate">Lowther Estates. </a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wA8Id3gELyE/Tl_pgXfNotI/AAAAAAAAAHE/Nj0Z4BxrQZs/s1600/Rear%2Bof%2BL%2BCastle.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647489200015909586" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wA8Id3gELyE/Tl_pgXfNotI/AAAAAAAAAHE/Nj0Z4BxrQZs/s200/Rear%2Bof%2BL%2BCastle.jpg" /></a>The Estate is not that large today, but the most dashing of the previous Earls was Hugh, the Third Earl. Hugh was a great horseman and sportsman as well as a devotee of the turf, winning the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Leger">St, Ledger</a>. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonsdale_Belt">Lonsdale Belt </a>presented to Boxing recalls his interest in the sport. The Third Earl was also the first president of the <a href="http://www.theaa.com/aboutaa/history.html">Automobile Association </a>and it was the bright yellow livery of the Lonsdale family which inspired their distinctive yellow, still used today.<br /><br />So with all their wealth it is not surprising that many famous names are recorded as working at Lowther Castle – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancelot_%22Capability%22_Brown">“Capability Brown”</a> was obviously connected with the gardens. The castle ruins that stand today were originally built about 1816 but abandoned about 70 years ago. During the Second World War the castle and some of the farm land nearby were used to test a secret tank weapon. In 1946 the contents of the castle were sold off.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yKtzeUBV5vs/Tl_rCE1VbvI/AAAAAAAAAHM/Rzf7VQSlmJs/s1600/Lowther%2BOak.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 140px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647490878635601650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yKtzeUBV5vs/Tl_rCE1VbvI/AAAAAAAAAHM/Rzf7VQSlmJs/s200/Lowther%2BOak.jpg" /></a>One piece of Lowther Folk Lore not in the gardens is an old oak tree on the edge of the park, and the reason this old oak tree is still standing and even has its branches supported is: that suppression has it that, should the tree or a branch fall to the ground, then so will the Earl of Lonsdale at that time.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The Lowther Estates have hosted many <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/events/thrimby-sheep-dog-trials.htm">Sheep Dog Trials </a>in the past but this year they are hosting the <a href="http://www.worldsheepdogtrials.org/">World Sheep Dog Trials </a>September 15th, to 18th,.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 144px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647493432244608130" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtaNMcgStoc/Tl_tWtxKnII/AAAAAAAAAHc/EhzV9hEvgb8/s320/Lowther%2BChurch.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-14507489747381418802011-08-22T06:14:00.001-07:002011-10-27T13:45:08.979-07:00An afternoon on Heughscar FellThe camera has not portrayed the great day we have enjoyed today. Rained before we rose but the day has just improved and improved, so this afternoon we enjoyed a walk from <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/askham.htm">Askham</a> up on to Heughscar Fell <a href="http://www.wainwright-wanderings.co.uk/w0447.htm">(follow this link for a longer variation of this walk).</a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLnpx_OaihM/TlF1fHGP0II/AAAAAAAAAGU/OBebOCJoKIk/s1600/Ullswater.jpg"></a>It was really warm today even on the top, in fact Linda took her jacket off (normally a hothouse plant). I have enjoyed the walk to the top of Heughscar Fell many times with many alternative routes, it's always interesting.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UC2THKmnnoI/TlJWXL1kOfI/AAAAAAAAAGk/_4i1SqkCLvs/s1600/Ullswater.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 132px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643668239363095026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UC2THKmnnoI/TlJWXL1kOfI/AAAAAAAAAGk/_4i1SqkCLvs/s200/Ullswater.jpg" /></a>Askham is about 8 miles from <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Wetheral Cottages</a> and at the top end of the village there is ample parking. It's a picturesque village Askham with two good pubs: The Queens Head and The Punch Bowl and a gallery displaying some of the <a href="http://www.tommymartin.co.uk/">“Fine Art Landscape Photography” by Tommy Martin</a> I was also pleased to see on a previous visit to the gallery a display by the <a href="http://web.me.com/stuartbroadhurst/http___web.me.com_stuartbroadhurst_site/Welcome..html">Askham based potter Stuart Broadhurst</a>.<br />A really enjoyable afternoon can only be finished off with an ice cream and of course the way back just happened to pass <a href="http://www.abbottlodgejerseyicecream.co.uk/l">Abbott’s Lodge Jersey Ice Cream Farm</a>. Lovely Lovely (had a double of course)!!Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-62141204311449238152011-05-25T09:25:00.000-07:002011-09-01T13:58:40.576-07:00The Peace Of The Sheep CountryNo refreshment stop on this walk I’m afraid, but it’s such a peaceful ramble that <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmT8pCFYzu4/Td4inYhFBYI/AAAAAAAAAFc/UTgRuBL9cGQ/s1600/Renwick%2BChurch.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610960245741651330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmT8pCFYzu4/Td4inYhFBYI/AAAAAAAAAFc/UTgRuBL9cGQ/s200/Renwick%2BChurch.jpg" /></a>it is well worth the effort to carry the flask and make your own stops. The walk starts about 7 miles from <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Wetheral Cottages</a>.
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<br />Park the car in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renwick,_Cumbria">Renwick,</a> there are some quite good places near the Church, on the main street. Set off up the road signed Outhwaite but as you climb the hill reflect on the fact that this <a href="http://www.stevebulman.f9.co.uk/cumbria/1901/renwick1901_f.html">peaceful village was once a hive of mining activity </a>– coal was the product, and the production was such, that the village had a coaching inn, as well as a number of pubs and blacksmiths to service the horse draw transport. All this gradually drew to a halt as better and cheaper coal was able to be brought in to the area with the opening of the railway in about 1880.
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<br />Peaceful though the church on your left may now be, but in 1733 legend has it that the church had become in a poor state of repair, so the villagers club together to offer their skills and make the necessary repairs. Suddenly whilst rebuilding they were frightened by a monster, which had the body of a cockerel and the tail of a dragon, it flew up from the ruins. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockatrice">The Cocktice</a>** scattered the villagers except one, John Tallentire, who armed himself with a Rowan bough (Google <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowan">Rowan Tree </a>and you’ll find many fascinating facts) with which he killed the monster. For his good deed he was given his house and exempted from tithes for himself and his descendants.
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<br />Walk on up the hill passing the road to Outhwaite a small display board describes the area <a href="http://www.northpennines.org.uk/">“The North Pennines”</a> further up the hill, further on we took a style to out right then walked across the fields to Outhwaite, through the farmyard, then following the footpath signs, which eventually brought us to a small river, where just before crossing the bridge, the river bank affords an ideal location for lightening the flask and biscuit box.
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1SuywSzVCY/Td4jBrl8uVI/AAAAAAAAAFk/W-PY6PYp3Zo/s1600/Outhwaite%2BFarm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 128px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610960697538951506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1SuywSzVCY/Td4jBrl8uVI/AAAAAAAAAFk/W-PY6PYp3Zo/s200/Outhwaite%2BFarm.jpg" /></a>
<br />Many of the fields around Renwick and Outhwaite will be stocked with Swaledale ewes with Mule lambs at foot. The east side of Cumbria is renowned for breeding the <a href="http://www.nemsa.co.uk/">Mule or Greyfaced </a>sheep, these sheep are across between the Swaldale or Herdwick Ewe and the Bluefaced Leicester Ram (a Tup in these parts) and thousands of them are sold to go to all parts of Britain. <a href="http://www.livestock-sales.co.uk/contacts/centres.html">Lazonby</a>, <a href="http://www.penrithauction.com/">Penrith</a> and <a href="http://www.livestock-sales.co.uk/stock/sheep.html">Kirby Stephen</a> marts are particularly famous for the large numbers they sell each autumn. The Greyfaced ewe is a good mothering sheep with plenty of milk for 2 lambs and when crossed with one of the meatier breeds (Suffolk, Texel, Charollais, Beltex etc) produces an excellent lamb for the butcher. This area is also renowned for the quality of its sheep dogs and this year sees the <a href="http://www.worldsheepdogtrials.org/">World Sheepdog Trials</a> being held on the Lowther Estates just outside Penrith in September.
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<br />Comfortably refreshed the longest uphill part of the walk takes us to Haresceugh Castle Farm, turn left at the road, up the hill to Selah Bridge.You are bound to encounter some mule lambs as joining the road, many of these fields belong to Haresceugh Castle Farm a well known breeder of Mule lambs. Those who watched the BBC programme <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yc131">"Lambing Live"</a> saw the Marston familys farm near Kirby Stephen where they rear Mule lambs as well as Bluefaced Leicester and Beltex sheep.
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<br />Great views of the Lake District Mountains from Selah Bridge, where we turn right making a descent along a lovely old lane that leads down to the Unthank to Renwick Road. If it weren’t for the cars descending the A686 behind us, you could envisage yourself in rural England 150 years ago walking this old road.
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCHBitvCWOI/Td4kw_VQNuI/AAAAAAAAAF8/t-D98X1Zm4c/s1600/Red%2BSquirrel.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 132px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610962609803114210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCHBitvCWOI/Td4kw_VQNuI/AAAAAAAAAF8/t-D98X1Zm4c/s200/Red%2BSquirrel.jpg" /></a>
<br />On reaching the road turn right and follow the road until you arrive at a T junction. Turn left over the bridge, the woods around here are full of <a href="http://www.penrithredsquirrels.org.uk/">Red Squirrels </a>often to be seen sitting on the bridge. Follow the road back into Renwick and you car.
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<br />The area is more fully described in a booklet “Domain of the Cockatrice” produced by the East Cumbria Countryside Project, which inspired this walk - distance about 4 miles.
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<br /><div>** A fictitious creature the Cockatrice is believed to be hatched from a cock's egg (probably a hen that crowed) by a serpent. Reportedly an ugly creature with a crested head, large glittering eyes, a barbed tongue and a dragon’s tail. The Cockatrice is mentioned in several places in the bible. It is probably derived from the hermaphroditic fowl - a crowing hen - which does occur in nature. In 1474 a Basel cock was sentenced to death for laying an egg but I remember my father killing a hen because it crowed as he considered it very bad luck to keep it.</div>
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<br />Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-78656611725023518962011-05-07T10:38:00.000-07:002011-09-21T08:29:24.637-07:00It opened with a splashThis exceptionally early summer weather has brought an great surge of enjoyment to those using <a href="http://www.lazonbypool.co.uk/">Lazonby’s Open-air Swimming Pool </a>just 2 miles from <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Wetheral Holiday Cottages</a>. Situated in a sheltered part of <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/lazonby.htm">Lazonby</a> the pool gives hours of fun to all the family. There is<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dy6fX9FUU_k/TcWrUg-K1EI/AAAAAAAAAFM/__sOr39U6Ck/s1600/Lazonby%2BSwimming%2BPool.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604073680268874818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dy6fX9FUU_k/TcWrUg-K1EI/AAAAAAAAAFM/__sOr39U6Ck/s200/Lazonby%2BSwimming%2BPool.jpg" /></a> a grassed picnic and games area, so with the pool-side shop on hand, serving all the treats you need, Lazonby Swimming Pool is Five Star fun. There are two pools: one for toddlers and another for swimmers, do check on opening times on the <a href="http://www.lazonbypool.co.uk/">Lazonby Swimming Pool</a> website<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My grandson and I have spent many hours there and with a Life-guard on hand, I feel there's safety for him and me. You are always made to feel very welcome at the Pool, the village has a good community spirit and have just recently constructed a new childrens play area near the PoolWetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-36317167989525568152011-03-17T04:52:00.000-07:002011-03-22T14:59:56.762-07:00Spring Sun in Lowther Park<div><div>A lovely warm sunny day again on Sunday at <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Wetheral Cottages</a>, so where fits the bill for today? We haven’t to be too late back as our grandson is with us and he is to return home. Lowther Park seems a good starting point and with the magnificence of the slightly dilapidated castle at one end, the park looked very medieval as we parked up near the church.<br /><br />We set off across the park admiring the avenue (of presently lifeless)<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Es7rg24zDtA/TYJTn5nnEnI/AAAAAAAAAEs/RX60cGOK4Uk/s1600/Red%2BSquirrel.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585118432839799410" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Es7rg24zDtA/TYJTn5nnEnI/AAAAAAAAAEs/RX60cGOK4Uk/s320/Red%2BSquirrel.jpg" /></a> trees leading up to the castle’s entrance, to join the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Lowther">River Lowther </a>and followed this to the Gatehouse at Eamont Bridge. This was probably once the road used to the castle and after leaving the park it is lined with trees. There are many others using this route today but I’m sure had we been here at a quieter time, there would be plenty of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer">Deer</a> to see. However the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Squirrel">Red Squirrels</a> seem to be enjoying a break in their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernation">hibernation</a> or are they out and about for the rest of the year?<br /><br />I had always believed that squirrels do hibernate but something made me use the power of <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Do+Red+Squirrels+Hibernate%3F&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBF_en-GB&redir_esc=&ei=XveBTdzmN8eBhQfL0Y3NBA">Google</a> to query this. It appears they have reduced activity but do not actually go to sleep as in true <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernation">hibernation</a>.<br /><br />The growing numbers of Squirrel around the Eden Valley must be in part due to the hard work put in by the local <a href="http://www.penrithredsquirrels.org.uk/">conservation groups</a>. There is something much more appealing about the Red than the Grey, so it is hoped the good control measures used to keep the grey at bay can continue.<br /><br />We stopped at the point where the track and the river are crossed by the railway line a marvellous structure of six spans of sandstone construction, probably quarried from just beside the <a href="http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=892">Lowther Viaduct</a>. The railway is about 100 feet above the river and whilst it is not the longest bridge, locally, its height always impresses. If only travellers on the <a href="http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/virgin/">West Coast Mainline </a>could appreciate what is under them.<br /><br />Passing the Gatehouse at Eamont Bridge our goal is off to the right, Brougham Hall and nestled within its walls Fusion Café, for a great cup of coffee and a large slice of cake. <a href="http://www.broughamhall.co.uk/history/time-line-of-brougham-hall/">Brougham Hall</a> once considered the “Windsor of the North” as King George VI visited it frequently with is father; the recent film <a href="http://www.kingsspeech.com/">“The Kings Speech” </a>of course reflecting part of his life. Well worth looking round Brougham Hall and especially the Church or even walking the additional mile to <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/brougham-castle/">Brougham Castle.<br /><br /></a>The route was now across the fields to Clifton the site of the last battle on English soil, skirting Clifton Hall Farm, more ruins, this time <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/clifton-hall.htm">Clifton Hall a Pele Tower</a>. Crossing the M6 the route again goes under the railway line, this time the bridge is a modern concrete construction, spanning the road also, purely, it seems, designed out of practicality or purpose, rather than a pleasing structure as with the Lowther Viaduct passed under earlier.<br /><br />Heading back towards Lowther Park the fields are alive with lambs gambolling along the hedges and banks whilst the mothers enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the sun. Pheasants and Partridge seem to be flying around in pairs ready for another population explosion. More Squirrels as we near the Park but there ahead are two <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer">Red Deer</a> enjoying their afternoon tea at the edge of the field but now their gone; leaping the hedge with ease back into the wood.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zPCP-oCVYI/TYkYQnzOX4I/AAAAAAAAAE0/1uxJic-7d-E/s1600/Lowther%2BCastle.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587023486570618754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zPCP-oCVYI/TYkYQnzOX4I/AAAAAAAAAE0/1uxJic-7d-E/s320/Lowther%2BCastle.jpg" /></a><br />Dropping down into Lowther Park to return to the car, you can just make out part of the <a href="http://www.lowthercastle.org/gallery">famous gardens </a>that are currently being restored and are due to open again towards the end of April. There are plans to restore the castle by turning it into a hotel, it will be a stunning location if all goes well. </div><div></div><br /><div>The 15th, to 18th of September sees the Lowther Estates as the venue for the <a href="http://www.worldsheepdogtrials.org/index.html">2011 International Sheepdog Trials</a> (One Man and His Dog) and already some accommodation at <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Wetheral Cottages</a> is reserved for those visiting this international event.<br /><br />To returm home we have to pass the <a href="http://www.abbottlodgejerseyicecream.co.uk/">Abbotts Lodge Ice Cream Farm</a> so we just had to turn in!!</div></div>Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-90072486980636452542010-09-28T08:05:00.000-07:002010-09-28T08:05:00.322-07:00Abbott lodge - Jersey Ice CreamSometimes our guests ask where they can go which is close to the <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Lake District </a>but quiet and good for children. We will often recommend Abbott lodge for its ice cream parlour and <a href="http://www.abbottlodgejerseyicecream.co.uk/thingstodo.htm">things to do for the children.</a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.abbottlodgejerseyicecream.co.uk/thingstodo.htm"></a>You can find the farm just south of Penrith on the A6 between Clifton and Hackthorpe.<br /><div><br /></div><div>These photographs are courtesy of Claire Bland at Abbott lodge.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TKC0cuEEhrI/AAAAAAAAAEc/0ZWmJOSBnno/s400/Calf+Viewing.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521611548650669746" /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TKC0UMPnsyI/AAAAAAAAAEU/OM2aA0AQ0tQ/s400/Playarea.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521611402133353250" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TKCzxD65yhI/AAAAAAAAAEM/tdTqg-qoJ3E/s400/Cabinet+-+Tearoom.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521610798603553298" /></div><div><br /></div></div>Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-78308903397952013872010-09-27T07:56:00.000-07:002010-09-27T08:04:07.932-07:00Brampton sheepdog trials in the Eden ValleyThe views from the high road above the Eden Valley from Renwick through to Castle Carrick are fantastic. At times you can see the <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">English Lake District</a> laid out below you and then the angle changes and the Scottish borders come into view. <div><br /></div><div>Up here between Newbiggin and Croglin was where the Brampton sheep</div><div> dog trials were held on Saturday just passed. I think we must have been the only spectators, just a handful of farmers, their dogs and the sheep.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TKCyKBOXnkI/AAAAAAAAAEE/8KaAdg4NaSQ/s400/bst-9.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 128px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521609028353367618" /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TKCyACc-mZI/AAAAAAAAAD8/KJ40I_1raMw/s400/bst--4.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521608856884386194" /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TKCxx3exECI/AAAAAAAAADs/FrzUr9Ky5v8/s400/bst---1.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521608613420929058" /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TKCx5LKaHaI/AAAAAAAAAD0/kEdKKsap234/s400/BST---2.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521608738963332514" /></div>Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-86413277554052216022010-09-17T02:55:00.001-07:002011-05-07T13:55:08.752-07:00Potfest at Hutton in the Forest - Cumbria and the Lake DistrictThought that we would put up some of the pictures from our visit to Hutton-in-the-Forest to see the Potters stalls displaying in 2010. The 2011 event is on 29th, 30th, and 31st, July. The event is just 6 miles from <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Wetheral Holiday Cottages</a>, country cottages situated in the village of Great Salkeld.<br /><br />Last year it all had a wonderful and relaxed atmosphere and even a small brass brand. Some of the exhibitions would have a looked a little strange back home but others were exquisite.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM8Bj4OKaI/AAAAAAAAADU/jd9xxETZOVY/s1600/PF6.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517819965967575458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM8Bj4OKaI/AAAAAAAAADU/jd9xxETZOVY/s400/PF6.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM8F1mQRHI/AAAAAAAAADc/dSLaq-ozhZs/s1600/PF7.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517820039443530866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM8F1mQRHI/AAAAAAAAADc/dSLaq-ozhZs/s400/PF7.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM8KveIHLI/AAAAAAAAADk/IUz8HCeGOWk/s1600/PF8.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517820123698175154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM8KveIHLI/AAAAAAAAADk/IUz8HCeGOWk/s400/PF8.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM786AIexI/AAAAAAAAADM/fGYpt2OXhHg/s1600/PF4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517819886006991634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM786AIexI/AAAAAAAAADM/fGYpt2OXhHg/s400/PF4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM7w-E0JsI/AAAAAAAAAC8/X-TA64_8Pgk/s1600/PF3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517819680941942466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM7w-E0JsI/AAAAAAAAAC8/X-TA64_8Pgk/s400/PF3.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM7rwkt6eI/AAAAAAAAAC0/wrSfuLWpLWE/s1600/PF2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517819591418309090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM7rwkt6eI/AAAAAAAAAC0/wrSfuLWpLWE/s400/PF2.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM7i-wvWAI/AAAAAAAAACs/cLWlxSWpRvc/s1600/PF1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517819440608008194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TJM7i-wvWAI/AAAAAAAAACs/cLWlxSWpRvc/s400/PF1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Hutton in the Forest is just 10 minutes from the <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Eden Valley</a>.Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-75713994341337303312010-09-14T00:32:00.000-07:002010-09-14T01:23:34.610-07:00Helping to bring visitors to the Lake DistrictBased so close to the English Lake District we are always keen to encourage more people to visit this beautiful part of England. There are plenty of good directories and resources to help showcase the area and one in particular which is showing <a id="iknow" href="http://www.iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk/attractions/north_lakes/penrith_uk/all_prices/all_types/all_specialities/" target="_blank">Things to do in </a><a id="iknow" href="http://www.iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk/attractions/north_lakes/penrith_uk/all_prices/all_types/all_specialities/" target="_blank">Penrith UK</a>.<br /><br />Last week with the weather being so good up here in <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Cumbria</a> we decided to go hunting for Bastle houses. Most people have heard of Border Reivers and how the lawless times brought terror and disruption to the region. However what is not so well understood is that the area impacted was much wider than just the Border lands. The reivers came down into the Eden Valley and across the North Pennines. Whilst there is plenty of evidence of fortified buildings throughout the area what we were after was more unique. Bastle houses.<br /><br />Originally farms tended to be built around the idea of a long byre. The house with a byre for animals alongside. With the threat from reivers this design was changed so that the accommodation was above the byre. The walls were usually at least 1 metre thick and access tended to be limited to internal trapdoors or stairs. Bastle houses were also usually built in clusters or at least in sight of other houses so that there would be some form of early warning available.<br /><br />Anyway we drove over to Melmerby and then joined the A686 for Alston. The road then drops down towards Haydon Bridge and before we reached the valley of the Tyne we turned right for Allendale. This is Bastle house area. The Allendale Valley has some fine examples which have survived for over 400 years.<br /><br />The Bastle house we visited was called Nine Dargues. Basically "9 days work"...which refers to the size of the surrounding land which would take 9 days to till.<br /><br />This picture shows 9 dargues on the left of the small road to Acton.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8q1l1sWAI/AAAAAAAAACE/FxG-h--tax4/s1600/9-dargues-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8q1l1sWAI/AAAAAAAAACE/FxG-h--tax4/s400/9-dargues-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516675168730896386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Although it is a listed building there has been little done to preserve the structure. The roof has collapsed and trees grow in and around it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8rmW_c4_I/AAAAAAAAACM/DIc9ESM_lRo/s1600/9-dargues-8.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8rmW_c4_I/AAAAAAAAACM/DIc9ESM_lRo/s400/9-dargues-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516676006558884850" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8rmW_c4_I/AAAAAAAAACM/DIc9ESM_lRo/s1600/9-dargues-8.jpg"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />What is truly remarkable though is the stone used for the archway. Just one massive piece of rock.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8rmW_c4_I/AAAAAAAAACM/DIc9ESM_lRo/s1600/9-dargues-8.jpg"><br /><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8saRNfN-I/AAAAAAAAACU/yIFUWU799e8/s1600/9-dargues-6.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8saRNfN-I/AAAAAAAAACU/yIFUWU799e8/s400/9-dargues-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516676898360342498" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8saRNfN-I/AAAAAAAAACU/yIFUWU799e8/s1600/9-dargues-6.jpg"><br /><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And in case there was any doubt as to the defensive intent just take a look at these holes in the doorway designed to take strong cross beams.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8saRNfN-I/AAAAAAAAACU/yIFUWU799e8/s1600/9-dargues-6.jpg"><br /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8ujo25p7I/AAAAAAAAACc/Kv1wgeE1Z2Y/s1600/9-dargues-3.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TI8ujo25p7I/AAAAAAAAACc/Kv1wgeE1Z2Y/s400/9-dargues-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516679258350135218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is a peaceful and beautiful area now. Plenty of wildlife,wonderful views and long walks. However sometimes it is worth remembering just how difficult times were.Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-44204896433963085212010-07-02T01:43:00.000-07:002010-07-02T01:43:00.476-07:00Potfest at PenrithThere is a tradition of pottery and associated crafts around Penrith which date back many years. For instance <a href="http://www.wetheriggs-pottery.co.uk/">Wetheriggs</a> pottery has carried on the tradition of potting although its ownership has changed frequently. Then there is also <a href="http://www.lilliputlane.co.uk/">Lilliput Lane </a>which became a tremendous local success story in the 1980's and was eventually sold to the giant American firm Enesco.<div><br /></div><div>Here at <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Wetheral Cottages</a> one of the local events which we always look forward to during the busy August weeks is the Potfest at Penrith. It's held at the Skirsgill auction mart just the other side of the motorway at junction 40 so there is always plenty of room to park and walk around the marvellous exhibits. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's also worth noting that if you can't make this show then there is also a <a href="http://www.potfest.co.uk/potfestpark.htm">Potfest at Hutton </a>in the Forest the week before.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-33285169310113356832010-06-26T03:11:00.000-07:002010-06-26T03:11:00.247-07:00Water shortages ?Listening to the radio this morning there was talk that this has been the driest summer since 1929. Following on from the November floods around Cockermouth this seemed hard to believe at first so we went down to Armathwaite ( maybe 7 miles or so up river from our <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">holiday cottages</a>) to see what the River Eden was like. <div><br /></div><div>As you walk upstream from Armathwaite Bridge you come to Coombs woods and here the valley opens up very briefly with wide flat bedrock which becomes exposed when water levels drop.</div><div><br /></div><div>This creates a fascinating ecosystem as the rock pools usually get refreshed by rain and fluctuating water levels creating a rich and verdant area to explore.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a picture from back in 2003</div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TCMzRhuEB4I/AAAAAAAAABs/Do2RLc_zj9g/s320/coombs+wood+june+2003+021.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486285147269760898" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>and here is a picture of the beautiful miniature wild strawberries which you can find down in these woods.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TCMxW1HWsJI/AAAAAAAAABU/I1Ep2a2E0nw/s320/coombs+wood+june+2003+009.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486283039352205458" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>and here is a picture from this week.......river levels much lower and the Penrith sandstone bedrock exposed and largely dry. So maybe in a way these things creep up on you. Because we live in such a beautiful part of the world occasionally we forget just how precious water is and how lucky we are to have these beautiful rivers.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TCMycGOdFzI/AAAAAAAAABk/R-bL_sT78MA/s320/DSC_4626.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486284229356361522" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-32747986400187330332010-06-24T01:16:00.000-07:002010-06-24T04:59:55.222-07:00Hutton in the ForestOur guests often ask our opinion as to where they can go for a lovely day out. We know from experience that a trip to <a href="http://www.hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk/">Hutton in the Forest </a>can be very rewarding. This is the ancient estate of Lord Inglewood. It has a <a href="http://www.hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk/house/pele_tower.html">Pele </a>tower dating back to the 14th century. Since then it has been added to and extended over the years with quite an interesting mix of styles.<div><br /></div><div>When the sun is shining the gardens are a delight to explore with plenty to occupy your time from a walled garden to ponds, a woodland walk and topiary to admire.</div><div><br /></div><div>An added bonus to visiting the estate are the many events which are held in the garden and grounds.</div><div><br /></div><div>Twice a year there are the <a href="http://huttonhorsetrials.co.uk/">Hutton horse</a> trials which always attract a good and enthusiastic crowd. Other events range from open air plays to BBC's antique road show and Potfest which features pottery from across the region.</div><div><br /></div><div>The house and gardens are just a little under 7 miles from our <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">holiday cottages</a>. However the drive there takes you across the lovely countryside between Great Salkeld and the A6 which means that a leisurely drive will get you there is a little under half an hour.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This photograph of the house and garden is courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris-collation/">ChrisinWales</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TCMYK7M0ynI/AAAAAAAAABE/M9ClzQ2uEKY/s320/hutton+1.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486255347036637810" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>and this lovely picture comes courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/huntthewumpus/">Wumpus</a> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/TCMXxXMLGbI/AAAAAAAAAA8/9vWkhuoceC4/s320/hutton+2.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486254907873499570" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-22280762121473817612010-04-29T06:00:00.000-07:002010-04-29T07:10:43.154-07:00The Beauty Of Acorn Bank<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/S9mR7fUNN0I/AAAAAAAAAAM/_gT7sd8jBZU/s1600/acornbank1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465560073995368258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/S9mR7fUNN0I/AAAAAAAAAAM/_gT7sd8jBZU/s320/acornbank1.jpg" border="0" /></a>If you stay in one of our <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/cottages/cottages.htm">holiday cottages</a> in Great Salkeld you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to interesting days out. Our village is ideally placed for so many different things – from walking to fishing to visiting historic castles and country homes, craft fairs and country shows … the list goes on. Here is a list of <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/thingstodo.htm">things to do in the area</a>.<br /><br />One of the best loved gardens in our area and open to the public is called <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-acornbankgardenandwatermill">Acorn Bank</a> (photo left).<br /><br />Owned and operated by the National Trust, it is best known for its herb garden. What’s more it’s just down the road from our village – 8 miles away and 15-20 minutes by car.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/S9mSD0LpqFI/AAAAAAAAAAU/A2cWdAsRIrg/s1600/stinkinggladwyn.jpg"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/S9mSUL3bUsI/AAAAAAAAAAc/m6KPr4lWsSA/s1600/acornbanknationaltrustsign.jpg"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/S9mSciSKnKI/AAAAAAAAAAk/EMhZXlwJnu0/s1600/acornbanknationaltrustsign.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465560641727798434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/S9mSciSKnKI/AAAAAAAAAAk/EMhZXlwJnu0/s320/acornbanknationaltrustsign.jpg" border="0" /></a>We visited Acorn Bank recently, just as it opened after a long and hard winter. Naturally, many of the plants had suffered because of the especially cold weather we had December-January but the promise of things yet to flourish and bloom again was definitely in evidence.<br /><br />The herb garden is particularly interesting. It features over 300 varieties of herb, both medicinal and culinary. You will probably have never heard of some of them … wonderful names such as FIGWORT and STINKING GLADWYN that have an oldy-worldy sound about them.<br /><br />The fruit orchard’s key feature is the array of apple trees - mostly old, local varieties including the KESWICK CODLIN. The tea room at Acorn Bank even serves a delicious apple crumble made from the orchard’s apples!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/S9mSqaHPgLI/AAAAAAAAAAs/TKfnHY2vfKg/s1600/newt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465560880052666546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6e5PuTPQf7s/S9mSqaHPgLI/AAAAAAAAAAs/TKfnHY2vfKg/s320/newt.jpg" border="0" /></a>Beyond the herb garden and orchard are the woods where you can wander down to a watermill whose waterwheel actually turns on most weekend afternoons.<br /><br />Wildlife is also in evidence at Acorn Bank with the most common reports being of red squirrels and kingfishers.<br /><br />Our favourites are the NEWTS in the garden pond. If you sit quietly by the edge of the pond you might just catch a glimpse when they decide to move. Fascinating creatures!Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-17028433393752133722010-04-20T09:59:00.001-07:002010-04-20T10:00:32.056-07:00This blog has moved<br /> This blog is now located at http://blog.wetheralcottages.co.uk/.<br /> You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click <a href='http://blog.wetheralcottages.co.uk/'>here</a>.<br /><br /> For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to<br /> http://blog.wetheralcottages.co.uk/feeds/posts/default.<br /> Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-29033555895150228602009-11-20T05:29:00.000-08:002009-11-20T05:29:00.372-08:00The Eden Valley - longer views<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/Ainstable-and-HK-024-753213.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/Ainstable-and-HK-024-753112.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/Ainstable-and-HK-019-703457.jpg"><br /></a>To many people the Eden Valley is small roads, high hedges, lots of woods and forests. But every so often if you are walking or maybe cycling so that you don't rush past you get the opportunity to see these lovely long views.This picture was taken coming down into Armathwaite from Coombs Woods.It is looking towards Ainstable and then up to the Pennines.Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995663567524144246.post-29068174826862549212009-10-24T05:16:00.000-07:002009-10-24T05:16:00.828-07:00Christianbury Crags<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/august-2007-147-743024.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/august-2007-147-742616.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/august-2007-002-761986.jpg"></a><b>Christianbury crags</b> are north of Penton and towards the border with Scotland.This is a remote wild part of Cumbria with deep bogs, large conifer plantations and very very few people.<div><br /></div><div>It's a completely different landscape to the more intimate beauty of the <a href="http://www.wetheralcottages.co.uk/">Eden Valley</a> but none the less</div><div>perhaps redolent of a more primitive time before even the border reivers were here.</div>Wetheral Cottageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167133109091724985noreply@blogger.com1