Humans say that as they get older they don’t need much sleep, so dad must be really old as he was up very early this morning playing on the computer sorting out websites.
As the tweeting birds welcomed in the morning we were up and ready to face the day and headed off towards Lanercost Priory, near Brampton.
Lanercost Priory
Regular readers will know we have been regular visitors to the Priory grounds over the years, however today we were on a mission. More on this later.
Charlie needs a hand
Our walk started by the edge of the River Irthing but instead of following the river down stream we cross the road and, with the river to our right, we go upstream.
Over the years the Irthing has cut quite a deep edge into the river bank and it wasn’t long before Charlie disappeared.
One moment he was pulling on his lead trying to get near to the water, which he could hear and smell but could not see, the next the lead went slack and Charlie was not on the horizon.
Dad pulled on the lead and it felt as if Charlie was still attached. So working our way along the string there was Charlie down the banking eager to go for a paddle.
Thomas Addison - physician and scientist
Mum was not amused, as dad grabbed hold of the handle on the back of Charlies new rucksack, lifting him back onto high ground.
This ruined any chance of a paddle, as we were walked at double quick speed towards the grounds of the Priory and our mission.
Thomas Addison
Buried somewhere amongst the hundreds of graves near to the Priory was said to be Thomas Addison.
Despite our many visits to this area we had not heard of this gentleman. However Mum, being a medical person, had and of the disease named after him.
Art installation - Jesus on the cross
Dr. Thomas Addison was fascinated by diseases of the skin and this led to the discovery of the medical disorder, Addisons Disease.
Row upon row of headstones were checked until we came upon a series of stones around a large flat topped memorial.
Hidden under a canopy of trees, the lettering was in perfect condition and could be read easily.
We had succeeded in our mission and mum had another article for Gravestonepix.com.
Art
Our challenge accomplished we headed back via the recently opened shop at Lanercost.
Outside the main entrance we were again greeted by an art installation.
Sculpture at Carlisle Cathedral
Last September when we visited, we met a smoking beast, this time it looks as if the cafe may have been closed for a while or maybe the queue had been a bit long during the winter.
All became clear when dad remembered he had seen an art installation similar to this ,a few weeks ago outside the Cathedral in Carlisle.
When we got home dad checked his extensive photo library and sure enough they both looked the same and possibly were the same work.
Buster and Charlie
Costing £4,000 the work by local artist Ian McMean was on display in Carlisle during Easter and is called the Crucifixion, according to The Cumberland News.
Bewcastle
With the sun rising in the sky, we were in need of a bit of cooling down, so we headed back to the car and the air-conditioning.
Icy cool sniffs pour out from the nozzle in the rear part of the car and we notice that we seem not to be heading towards home.
Bewcastle Cross
Climbing upon to the fell tops we arrive after 15 minutes at Bewcastle, famous for the Anglo-Saxon Bewcastle Cross.
Bewcastle is not one of those places you would accidentally find or go to unless you know of the historical significance of the column of stone in the churchyard.
Said to date from the 7th Century, the cross is in it’s original position.
We took a moment to look around the small museum nearby and mum and dad went into the church.
New season lamb and free range hens
Two ladies made us most welcome and said hello in between sorting out flowers for the church.
Lambs
Away from the city noise, the countryside air was filled with the sounds of new lambs playing in the sunshine.
Bright, fresh white lambs contrasted with the dark coats of their mums and the grey green grass.
Tails wagging, like Charlies’ constantly does, the lambs seemed very happy exploring their new world and making friends.
We stayed on our leads and kept a distance just to ensure we did not scare any of these new families.
Enough excitement for one day we thought, as we returned to the car and our journey home.
Until next time
Buster and Charlie
