Blogs from Cumbria, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 5

You may have noticed that I am really into my photography and it can sometimes take over the holidays, much to the annoyance of my poor “photography widow” wife, who is actually very patient and tolerant with me. This holiday, however, was just me, on my own, going on a photography workshop in Rannoch Moor in Scotland. I had decided to drive up, so to split the 470 mile journey I stopped for a night in the Lake District. I had always thought that the Lake District was a long, long way north, but it’s actually only half way to Glencoe, where we will be based on the edge of Rannoch Moor. After several miles of signs warning about speed-cameras, I was not far from the Lake District, when I saw a flash of light in ... read more

Yesterday is ancient history. Gone are the mist riddled moors of Cross Fell, the rain soaked dales of Knock Pike and the unsighted peaks of Great Dun Fell and Little Dun Fell (6 m height difference and what a difference name wise!) and instead gentle gradients overs well maintained pathways. Sure the gentle gradients go through a heap of fields and yes they were a bit wet taking a toll on Julie’s boots but the biggest obstacle is the fact that just about each fence needs to be crossed using a stile. As such heaps of stiles were the order of the day. They come in all shapes, sizes, configurations and each presents it’s own unique problem. Some are so skinny you pack gets stuck which is a bit embarrassing, some so skinny at the base ... read more

29 August 2019, Thursday Day 13 of travel day 9 on the coast to coast. Our departure from The George Hotel in Orton was followed very closely by a visit to the Orton chocolate factory. This is also known as the Kennedy chocolate factory. After our very nice breakfast we each had a sample of chocolate. You will see a few photos of the chocolates and the shop. The day was marked by walking across many green rolling hills of pastures, crossing many rock wall fences and a few picturesque views of limekilns and railroad trestles. It was also punctuated by extremely strong winds and gusts with some light rain. For the first time during the walk I had to wear my poncho over everything to help keep me dry and warmer from the blowing wind. ... read more

28 August 2019, Wednesday Day 12 of travel, day 8 on the Coast to Coast Brampton Grange to Orton via Shap. It was a night fighting the comforter. At 0030, I took the stuffing out and slept well with just the sheet. After breakfast we left the Crowne and Mitre with the path to connect to the main coast to coast path at Rosgill bridge. This is a little more than 2 miles to the ruins of Shap Abbey The photos and signs tell the tale but this was a massive church and community until King Henry VIII drove all Catholics out of England or killed them. Most of the stones have been removed and reused elsewhere. After about 2 hours and 40 minutes walking up and down the grassy hills and over a unique horse ... read more

25 August 2019, Sunday Day 9 of travel and a day around Grasmere and the lakes district. Today is a much-welcomed rest day. Our breakfast did not start here at the Tweeties Bar and Lodge until 8:15. We had been so tired and it was so late when we arrived last night that we simply ate, took a shower and went to bed. This morning I did my washing for the week in the shower hoping it would dry. It is peak holiday season here in the lake district. The game festival has brought 1000s more to Grasmere. Roads jammed and every inch of space filled with parked cars. It is like a big State Fair. After breakfast Chuck and Janet went to the church at St Oswald's Church in Grasmere. This churchyard is where William ... read more