Not sure which way the weather was going to go, and with much cleaning to do at home, mum and dad decided that we would stay local for todays adventure.
Crane stands watch over new school
Our walk started normally enough on the banks of the River Eden in Rickerby Park but then dad found a new path and our adventures began.
School
Rising out of the ground comes the new school for Carlisle. We have mentioned the building work in previous visits to the park but now you can really see the scale and size of the new structure.
Six floors of scaffolding appear to clad the building allowing contractors to install windows, bricks and other equipment needed for a new centre of learning. Lets hope it looks better than the nearby Carlisle College that, following it’s recent rebuild, looks really ugly.
Golf club
Our usual walk would take us alongside the river and around the park but today dad decided to cross the bridge and walk along to the Stony Holme golf club, as it has been a while since he had visited the area.
Shopping trolley abandoned in beck
Dad pointed out some new notices that have appeared on lamp posts. They indicate that non golfers should not park their cars in this area. This is a shame as many visitors to the park use this area as a great place to park especially if they are travelling from the southern side of the city.
A low wooden sign in front of the clubhouse indicated our path could continue around the back of the football club. This was all new and full of sniffs.
Need to Pee
Crossing over a bridge our path continued between a beck and the well manicured golf greens.
Mum at this point just couldn’t help herself saying ‘need to pee’. Ahh the power of advertising, as this catch phrase is used in a commercial for a product called Flomax which is filmed on a golf course and is mums current favourite ad. You can see it here on Youtube.
Football and red fox tile
Grot
Looking away from the golf and back towards the stream it does look a bit grotty. Discarded rubbish and shopping trollies litter the watercourse and it looks quite a mess.
This is most unusual for this city as it is a very clean place to live and play.
Our path crosses over another bridge and alongside the rear of the football club. High green barriers line our right hand side marking the edge of the car park.
Art tile on Carlisle flood defences
A tarmac path rises from the stream and dad spots some more art tiles on the recently installed flood defences.
Situated on flood gate posts either side of the path, one tile features a football scene, the other features a fish, a ball and the words Judy 2005.
We think that now makes our collection of spotted tiles four or possibly five. Anyone know how many there are?
Lost fish
100 years of - CUFC
The fish and football tile is a bit cryptic, especially if you are a visitor to the city.
Dad took a bit of time thinking about this one until he remembered a quirky news story from a few years ago.
It turns out that during the floods of 2005 a fish called Judy was found on the Carlisle United football pitch. Hence the fish and football graphic.
CUFC statue
Turning out on to Warwick Road we pass in front of the Carlisle United Football Club shop and the statue to 100 years of Carlisle United.
Wall of fame - Carlisle United Football Club
Unveiled by Hugh McIlmoyle, a former Carlisle United player, on the 31 July 2005 the statue is to commemorate 100 years of Carlisle United’s proud history. It is dedicated to the players, supporters and officials of the club.
Story Construction commissioned the art piece.
Wall of fame
Nearby is another piece of what could be called art in the form of the Hughie McIlmoyle wall of fame.
Costing £30 per brick this was an interesting fund raising activity.
Two lines of text and up to 14 characters per line were allowed on each brick.
239 Warwick Road, Carlisle
Many people purchased bricks in memory of loved ones, moments in personal history or just in support of the club. In return they have their brick clad on the front of the Blues Store and a certificate.
Lost pub
Built some time before 1855, the Petteril Bridge Inn stood on the site that is now 239 Warwick Road Carlisle.
Mrs Duck and her chicks
Screwed to the wall by the side of the front door is a small silver plaque that states that the premises were owned by the State Management until 1917.
Sorry
Turning off Warwick Road we returned to the golf club down St Aidens Road.
Staying on the city side of the river we followed the path towards The Sands Centre, stopping once or twice for a drink in the cool water.
You know what happened next...
We must at this point apologise to Mrs Duck and her new family. In our hurry to get a drink we disturbed her enjoying some afternoon sunshine on the banks of the River Eden. All was safe, however she was a bit startled.
Eden Bridge Gardens
Up and over Eden Bridge then into Eden Bridge Garden for a quick update.
Mum and dad were unsure if this was the first spring since the restoration of the area so they thought it was worth going to see what plants had made it through the winter.
Flowers in Eden Bridge Gardens
Bluebells and the last few daffodils filled the borders and up in the high pond Charlie inspected the water lilly pots – a little bit closer than mum had really wanted him to. He is so naughty.
In the lower garden tulips and assorted low flowering plants provided a very colourful display set off against the dark green of the hedge.
A number of yellow safety railings are currently in place around the garden protecting some works involving small inspection covers and a long snake of blue plastic pipe.
Maybe they are going to connect the lower garden water features, which are currently dry, to a water supply. We will need to check on the progress in a few weeks.
Leaving the gardens through the swing gate, we returned back along the high path towards the car eager for a bit of a sit down and a rest.
Above us a hawk hovered before swooping into the grass to collect possibly a mouse or a vole for his lunch. Dad tried to photograph it, but it was too quick.
Until next time
Buster and Charlie
