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Gallery: Our walk to Penrith Beacon

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We go in search of the Penrith Beacon …

We head south on the A6 to the large town of Penrith in search of the Penrith Beacon.

As we entered the town, we turned left and parked just beyond the Beacon Edge Cemetery under a tree to keep the car a bit cool for our return.

Before we left home dad had looked on the map as to where the beacon was to be found, all that we had to do was find the start of the path off up the hill.

Pointing to our left was a wooden sign just after some houses indicating our adventure was about to begin.

Climbing a few steps and negotiating a swing gate, we steadily walked into the woods along a permissive pathway.

After the recent heavy rain the path was remarkably dry, so it looked like we were going to stay clean.

Underfoot, the trail was as sandy as a beach in places and was punctuated by drainage ditches carefully positioned bridging the walkway to carry away any water that may hesitate on the fellside.

Lush green vegetation and tall trees lined our route providing  a canopy from the warm sun above.

Sometimes the path changed from sand to more organised stones, arranged it seemed, into a rough cobbled street, not out of place in an old book with a horse and cart trundling across.

Mum and Dad wondered if this route had been used for hauling timber from the forest or as an old tradesmans route across the fells.  It did seem however a little bit steep in places to accommodate something the size of an ox powered wagon.

We passed a few people on our journey to the top of the hill, including one man who was running to the top.

As we ventured further into the woods we caught glimpses of Penrith between the trees.

Beyond the town are the Lake District fells and mountains including Skiddaw and Helvellyn bathed in summer sunshine.

Dad wishes he had brought the binoculars and mum was glad he hadn’t.

Our constant companions were the small flies called midges.  Thankfully they were not biting but they filled the air with faint buzzing and tried to gang up on us every so often.

Flies were not the only things keeping an eye on us, as we spotted this little fellow basking in the sun.  Could it be a lizard?  Mum was not sure and needs to consult her identification books, unless you know ?

The trail eventually opened out to a plateau upon which sat a four sided sandstone building with a pointy roof.

Grills and a solid metal door prevented any access to the structure which looked to be being used as a large dustbin.

Assorted pieces of rubbish, including broken glass bottles were wedged into the lower openings which sadly made getting close to the structure dangerous for our paws.

Hundreds of years of graffiti were etched into the soft sandstone.

Surrounding the beacon was a grassed area, pot marked with the occasional remnants of camp fires.

A few people were taking advantage of the high location, 937ft,  to pass the time with a good book and get some sunbathing done.

Between the trees Penrith could be clearly seen. At the centre of the view in the foreground is the railway line.

It is thought that a beacon has been on this site since Roman times with the current structure being built in 1719.

Fire beacons were often positioned in prominent positions and provided a method of signalling in the event of attack.

At the first sign of invasion the alarm would be raised by making a fire on a hillside which could be seen from a neighbouring beacon site.  They in turn would light their fire and continue the chain of alarm.  A message could be transmitted over great distances very quickly this way to summon help or assistance.

The current Beacon sits on a 300 acre plantation on land owned by The Earl of Lonsdale . The Lonsdale Family purchased the land from the Enclosure Commissioners for £4000 in 1901.

According to an article in the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald April 15 1918 the wood was all but removed.  It has since been replanted following the war effort by the Forestry Commission.

William Wordsworth was inspired by the location in his poem  ‘Prelude‘

Situated next to the main building is a marker stone outlining the places visible form the vantage point. This was installed in 1995 by the Lions Club of Penrith.

Our gentle walk to the summit had taken about 40 minutes and after spending around 10 minutes at the summit we retraced our steps back down the hill.

Trees were planted in 1927 in one area we past on our return journey to the town.

We wondered if a celebration was held when the marker post was installed or if it marks any special occasion.

A cool drink of water awaited us in the car and a good rest whilst dad drove home.

Until next time

Buster and Charlie

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Lochmaben in Scotland is our destination …

Scotland is our destination on this adventure and it is to the small town of Lochmaben where we end up.

Our journey takes us up the new M6 extension through the area previously known as the Cumberland gap and onto the A74(m).

We waited until the middle of the afternoon to venture out so the temperatures were a little cooler and we could enjoy our adventures.

At Lockerbie we turned left and onto the A709 to Lochmaben and entered the town with the Annandale Sailing Club to our left on the edge of Castle Loch.

Turning left again onto the B7020 took us around the top of Castle Loch and towards our initial destination of Lochmaben Castle, grid NY 088 811.

Our approach to the castle was down a very dusty farm track full of potholes and with grass growing down the centre at times.  Dad wondered if he had taken an incorrect turning however, after passing through a farm gate and negotiating a sharp left bend the road widened with the castle infront of us.

Three or four parking spaces were available here in front of a sign ‘Bird Hide’ and a narrow path.

A larger car park is available further down the track past the castle, but no signs indicated this as this stage.

Charlie was first out of the car and started to explore all of the new smells.  Either side of the track grew grasses and lush green vegetation.

Fresh long grass is fantastic and I love to eat it. I am not sure why, as mum gives us some great varieties of food, but like a fine wine for you humans, long blades of natural grass is seen as a luxury, as we don’t have much of it in our garden.

Lochmaben Castle lies in ruins today, however you can manage to get amongst the outer walls of this former Royal residence. It was granted royal castle status in 1455.

The first stronghold on this site was built around 1300 and was built by Edward I

With a commanding view, now mostly obscured by trees and other vegetation, of Castle Loch, it is quite easy to see why this site was chosen as a position of influence and status.

From the main car park we follow one of the paths down the gentle bank and onto a sandy inlet.  Charlie can smell the water and eagerly pulls at his lead as he picks his way between tree stumps and assorted shrubbery.

He waits our arrival before we both run into the cool water for a drink and a paddle.

Ahead of us are the boats of the sailing club, to our left is the town and over to our right some swans bask in the early evening sunshine as they cruise majestically over the water.

The path seems to come to an end here, so we return to where we parked the car and to the path that leads to the bird hide.

Narrow and not well trodden would be the best way to describe this path as it snaked it’s way towards the Loch.  Tall grasses and reeds punctured the air above our path obstructing any view we may have had of our surroundings.

After a few hundred metres the grass path gave way to a boardwalk similar to the one we experienced at Finglandrigg Moss a few months ago. However, unlike that one this had the boards just spaced that little bit further apart and lacked the mesh covering that saved our legs from falling between the planks. We had to be very careful as our legs could have become trapped our broken if we missed a step.

Taking a gamble at a split in the boardwalk, we chose the path to the left and were rewarded with the sight of the bird hide standing high on stilts ahead.

Charlie quickly worked out how he could take advantage of the hide and standing on one of the wooden benches surveyed the area whilst I took the easier option by looking through the doorway.

With our tummies now rumbling and the light starting to fade we returned to the car and drove to a car park closer to the town centre.

Parking this time just behind the town’s war memorial, we walked in to town past the church and down a very wide straight road towards the town hall.

Standing proud overlooking our approach is a monument to Robert the Bruce.  Some confusion exists as to the towns claim to be the home of this Scottish legend, however what seems to be clear is that the Bruce family were Lords of Annandale so were very powerful in the area.

One story on the internet indicates that Robert was born in Lochmaben Castle and following defeat in battle, sought shelter in a cave and came upon a spider…. the rest of the story is they say the stuff of legend and folklore.

Fish and chips in the park.

All good adventures should have a picnic and after purchasing sausage and chips from a shop just behind the town hall, we returned to a grassed park area sloping down to the Loch not far from where the car was parked, to eat them.

Why is it that outdoor food just tastes fantastic.  A cool drink, from the bottle of fresh water mum was carrying, washed everything down and we thought our adventures were over for the day as we headed in the direction of the car.

The entrance to the car park featured a large swan carved into an old log.

Whilst were were looking at it a local resident mentioned that more carvings were on display along a nearby path.

Great, a new adventure and we hurried off towards the vehicular access ramp to the car park.

Leading away from the car park, in the direction of the Castle and with the Loch to our left we followed what appeared to be a recently installed trail level through woodlands.

One of the first carvings we came upon was this heron.   No details seem to have been provided about this trail or who has done the artworks unless we missed the information boards.

Even a fallen tree has seen the creative chainsaw action, as it is turned into a carved tree.

This path seemed ideal for a wheelchair or buggy and with the canopy of the trees forming a shade, reasonably cool.

Every few hundred meters a jetty sticks out from the path towards the cool water of the Castle Loch.

The Loch it seems is one of Britain’s top fisheries holding three Scottish records for the fish caught.

Dad did not venture any further along this jetty.  He thought that the left hand side of it did not look too stable however, he did think it made for a good photograph.

Oh Charlie …

As if on cue and always towards the end of a walk the cry of ‘Oh Charlie’ went up from mum and dad.

To the right is a picture of the fine looking fellow just moments before he went trampling through some tall grass that edged the path.

Like smoke billowing from a steam train pollen cascaded from the assorted grasses and into the air surrounding the panting Charlie.

He got covered with tiny grains of dust and seeds.  It went everywhere and as mum had hold of my lead it was up to dad to clean him off.

This seemed a good idea until dad started to sneeze, and sneeze and sneeze …..

Until next time

Buster and Charlie.

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We visit Allonby on the Solway Coast, Cumbria

Earlier today we headed west to Allonby on the coast of Cumbria just south of Silloth.  Our approach to the area was met with a bit of rain, however once the car was parked the sun came out.

Stretched out before us was plenty of grass to run on so we took full advantage to stretch our legs and get aquainted with our surroundings.

A strange swooshing sound filled the air and the grass smelt a bit different but we were just glad to be exploring once again.

Following a grass path we came upon a small bridge which we crossed and after negotiating a sandy overgrown banking we rushed exitedly to the source of the swooshing sound.  Dad said it was the sea, however Charlie saw it as just water and ran headlong towards it.

Yuck, the water tasted horrid and not at all like the water in the river at Dalston the other day.  Now this takes some getting used to.

It feels like water, looks like water and is cool like water but the taste on our delicate lickers is really bad so we avoid drinking anymore and just play.  Mum says the water is salty and we shouldn’t drink it…. A bit late now mum!

On the horizon Dad spots a load of wind turbines and thinks it must be the Robin Rigg windfarm.

We tried to count the number of white poles sticking out from the sea but the view was a bit hazy.

Stepping away from the water to get dried off a little, mum spotted a red beaked bird she thought was an oystercatcher. It had black feathers on its back and a bright red or orange beak which made it stand out from the pebbles on the beach.

With the rain clouds moving away the sky cleared to give a bright blue sky and with it came the sunshine.

Mum and Dad now wished they had left their coats in the car as they were starting to get a bit hot.

First experiences.

For Charlie this was the first time at the beach and he soon learned about the strange stuff called sand. Wet sand is very sticky and soon he was covered in the stuff all the way up to his tummy.

Mum said it would drop off as our fur dried.  We hoped so, otherwise the backseats of the car were going to be covered!!

Stripes of debris on the beach marked out the various tide marks and they made for some great sniffs. Large amounts of seaweed, that is what mum called it I think, stretched into the distance along with the occasional traffic cone and broken car headlight.

Charlie tried to count the number of stones and pebbles but had to give up at four, when he ran out of paws.

Allonby Bay is on the Solway Coast, an area designated of outstanding Natural Beauty, stretching from Rockcliffe Marsh on the Scotish Border to just North of the historic harbour town of Maryport.

Leaving the sea behind us we move inland a little and onto a grass path. To our right are the sand banks with the sea beyond.  Occasionally, as we walk with our backs to the village of Allonby, we smell the sweet scent of wild rose bushes.

Mum says that these plants must have been here for some considerable time as they are around 20m across and adds that she has never heard of roses growing in salty areas.

Many bees and other insects can be seen on the flowers gathering up the pollen and nectar. Possibly these bushes are the only source of food for miles around.

Looking out across Allonby Bay is this seat in memory of Christine Marrs. This bench, one of many along the edge of the path, caught our attention due to the flowers planted at either end of the mounting plinth.

Screwed to the upper rail is a plaque which reads

‘ In memory of Christine Marrs
Beloved wife of Ernie
Donated by Stuart and Christine (C.S.H. TSPT ) 2006′

We pause for a brief rest whilst dad ties his shoelace and then we are off once more on our adventures.

Underfoot the path is dry and the grass tickles a bit as it is slightly brittle after all the recent sunshine.

Charlie is about ready for another drink so we decide it is time to turn around and start our return journey.

Although this is the main path, a number of other smaller paths lead off and to get more sniffs, our return route took in some of these.

Down one of the paths we came across the small bird in the photograph to the right..

Without the binoculars mum could not see the bird clearly enough to identify it.  She thought it maybe some form of bunting or a warbler. Do you know?

Only one windsurfer was out on the water today. Many websites indicate that the strong winds make conditions here some of the best in the country for this sport.

Across the water, in the distance can be seen the Dumfries coastline with the town of Dumfries to the right and just around the corner Kirkcudbright to the left

Almost back to the car and we take a slight detour into the village and come across The Ship Inn.

To the left of the main door is a blue plaque indicating that Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins stayed here on Wednesday 9th September 1857.

Both were good friends and stayed 2 nights in Allonby during a walking tour they were undertaking.

It is here that our walk for the day ends as we return to the car for a well earned drink and a rest.

Until next time

Buster and Charlie.

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Hot weather and summer produce …

Gosh it has been hot for the last few days.  So hot we have been staying outside to try and keep cool as the house has been unbearable.  Even the tiled kitchen floor didn’t cool us down.

Mum purchased earlier this year an indoor –  outdoor room for the garden.  This has allowed us to keep cool in what breeze there has been away from the harsh sun outside.

It is a great gadget and with the lights dad put up a few days ago allows mum and dad also to enjoy the outdoors into the late evening.

Today the temperatures have dropped to be a manageable 23 degrees and to celebrate dad is playing music by Dire Straits and other tracks from iTunes.

We can see that his help is going to be limited as the occasional air guitar is played and the pencil drumsticks are used.  It is going to be a long afternoon…

Let us hope he doesn’t start mixing song titles into our blog or we will have to carry out a Private Investigation and remind him who are the Local Hero’s.

A cool river dip

Last night we travelled to Dalston.  We went the long way around as it gave us a chance to cool off in the air conditioning.

First stop was the river where we both got some welcome relief from the heat in the cool water.

Here we met up with another friend who had an interesting twist on the searching for stones game we often play.

She ran into the water and popped her head under the water gathering up a stone from the river bottom and bringing it to the waters edge.  She then ran back into the water and got another and another.

Summer fruits

Mum has started the annual harvest.  First crop has been some of the many gooseberries from the allotment.

The red and green fruits have been topped and tailed and put in bags for the freezer.

We are not allowed them as mum thought they would be bad for us but dad tells us they are great in a crumble during the winter.

Mum thought she was working an a Chain Gang as she worked her way through hundreds of berries.

The many hanging baskets full of strawberry plants are dripping with fruit it being Wimbledon Tennis Season.

The hot sunshine has really ripened the fruit and mum has started going to the garden on a morning, picking some of the fruit which she then slices for her breakfast on top of some yoghurt.

You can not get fruit fresher than that and with no transport costs.

One harvest we have been able to try has been the Sugar Snap Peas mum was processing this week.

Again from the allotment, they were very crunchy and fantastic to throw around before we eventually ate them.

Again another big bag full went into the freezer after a few were lightly steamed for an evening meal.

Finally we just had to share a photograph of the water lilly flower in our pond.  It was lapping up the hot conditions during the daytime only to close in the cooler evenings.  it is quite clever for a plant.

Thats all for now as it is now not Too Hot for Dancing in the Street as gardeners start Singing in The Rain as the heavens open with a welcome Downpour….

Until next time

Buster and Charlie