Keswick Railway footpath

Keswick was our destination on Tuesday when we went for a family outing.  With the weather a little breezy dad thought it would be best if we visited the Keswick Railway footpath and went for a strole.

After parking the car near to the Keswick Leisure Centre we climbed the wooden faced steps up to the path built on the trackbed of the former Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway.

Built around 1862 originally as a mineral line between Workington in the West and Durham on the North East coast  the line was progressively closed starting in 1966 when all the passenger services ceased.

Track and assorted parts of the infrastructure continued to be removed during 1967 with the final official closure in 1972.

Being on old railway trackbed the path is ideal for buggies, bikes and motorised wheelchairs. However we would suggest that manual wheelchairs may struggle in places as the gradients are a little bit high.

After a few minutes we come across a very strange black object. It looks like a fish with it’s head buried in the ground but turns out to be a C2C Millennium milepost.  The two tail fins pointing towards Keswick in one direction and Sunderland in the other.

Mum and dad wondered if markers like this could, in a few years time, be seen as headstones for the Millennium quango society.  Marking the passing of organisations, as the credit crunch and quests for efficiency bite, such as the Millennium Commission, the banks and the National Lottery as funding conduits.

The conversation got a bit deep at this point so we tugged on our leads eager to explore further.

Sniff of Water

Towering above, in matt white concrete, was the massive structure of the Greta Bridge carrying the A66 from the M6 to Cockermouth.  It turns out that this is an award winning bridge thanks to the readers of a ‘must have’ journal about concrete.

Dad felt compelled to make up some concrete puns at this point, he wondered if they would be ’set in their ways’ or maybe able to handle pressure because they were ‘pre-stressed’.

We could hear the cars above but could not see them which made us a little puzzled however, Charlie got the sniff of water and this became our quest.

To our left was the river flowing towards Keswick. However,between it and us lay some sheep and a few fences. No splodging to be had here.

Just beyond the bridge we entered an area of wooden boardwalk strapped to the side of a sheer stone cliff.

A bright blue and red sign nailed to a post nearby indicated we were on the British Cycle Network route 71.

The boards had netting over so no risk of our paws slipping between the gaps and we were able to look through the sides onto the valley below.

The path at this point started to fall towards the water and our hopes raised of a paddle soon.

Hydro-electricity

Exiting the boardwalk, we were suddenly amongst a number of humans and fellow dogs all congregated in one area.

It was not a bottleneck of people waiting to get onto the boardwalk but an area with a lot of history going on and everyone wanting to learn more.

To our right was the former entrance to a tunnel for the railway. It is all bricked up now so this is the reason we needed to take to the boardwalk to get around the hill the once tunnel cut through.

Below us and to our left, obscured by the tree canopy, are assorted structures in the path of the river.

These were the former workings and footings of possibly the earliest hydro-electric scheme in the county, generating electricity for the Keswick area.

The plant started to generate power, around 30Kw, in 1890 and was owned by the Keswick Electric Light Company. It continued to operate up to 1941.

Small tunnel

We negotiated through the many people and resumed our walk after saying hello to a few dogs and humans along the way.

The slight slope to the path continued for a while then resumed the more natural flat and level route you would expect on a rail line.

Ahead of us was a tunnel. At last, we could make ourselves sound really big as our woof would echo around.  However, it was not to be as it was only around 5m long. A bit of a disappointment .

Bobbin Mill

It turns out that the bridge we have just passed under was built to allow traffic to get to and from the Low Briery wooden bobbin mill which it to our left.

All is explained about the area in a couple of Lake District National Park information signs.

Just behind these notice boards is the former station platform at Briery and doing what comes naturally to boys we climb the few steps and walk on this ‘upper path’ leaving mum to walk on the track bed.  We are still not a tall as her … but we are almost…

Around 120 bobbin mills used to operate  in the Lake District  producing almost half of the worlds wooden bobbins.

One report on the web indicates that this mill alone exported over 40million bobbins per year at it’s peak. If put end to end the row of bobbins would be around  800 miles long.

The mill closed in 1961 due to the collapse of the British textile industry and increased competition from abroad.

Water

Mum and dad read the sign boards, it is what humans do, however we are eager to find a paddle.  The river is still to our left and we are now starting to want a drink.

Charlie is the key to finding water and so far this walk is frustrating him.  He can hear it and can smell it but just can not get his paws into it.

Our path leads onto another wooden platform, like the boardwalk earlier, and Charlie gets all excited.  There it is, below us, glistening in the sunshine, all the water we need, now how do we get to it?

No problem as a small path leads down from the far side of the bridge to a rocky area at the base of one of the bridge supports.

Cool, clear fresh water right up to our tummies and as much of it to drink as we want.

The bridge above us is what is known a bowstring bridge and like all the bridges on this route was designed by Thomas Bouch .

Mr Bouch was born in Thursby and is also responsible for the Northern Viaducts in the Upper Eden Valley which we visited towards the end of 2008.

Research on the web mentions that the Queen travelled on this rail line  in 1966 in the Royal Train.  Maybe this is the same bridge shown in this photograph with the Royal train passing over.

With our legs starting to get a little sore, we climb away from the river and start our return journey. We decide it is easiest just to retrace our steps back to the car.  The return takes about 40 minutes as we take our time.

Thats all for now, until next time

Buster and Charlie.

Further information

LDNPA Latrigg walk

Discover uses of rock in the landscape around Keswick and Borrowdale

Organisation trying to re-open the Keswick rail line

A new walk at Kingmoor

With an air temperature of 13 degrees and white fluffy clouds in the sky we escaped the confines of the house for another expedition, this time to the north of Carlisle.

Our destination was to be the Kingmoor North Nature Reserve on the side of the former 14 Maintainance Unit (14MU) depot.

This is a part of the nature reserve we have not yet visited and will be subject to quite a bit of disruption in the next few years as the Northern Relief road bulldozes through.

We parked the car near to the Parcelforce depot and set off on our walk, eager to get our noses into some new smells.

Sheltered from the slight cool breeze by the high hedges we soon became warm under the strong sunshine.

Our walk was on firm dry ground ideal for buggies and wheelchairs, although it was a bit narrow in places.

Signs of autumn were all around and mum spotted many oak trees with ripening acorns.

Green acorn growth was turning to a rich golden brown in the late summer sunshine.

The last few days of cooler weather had certainly had an impact on some of the trees and bushes.

Lush green vegetation was making way for golden brown colours and the path was covered with the first falling leaves.

All along the edge of the path you could smell that we were not the first to pass this way.

Evidence of other animals included the occasional mole hill, the flattened grass and well worn route leading under a fence and the footprint left in the soft verge.

I spotted a few of the smells however Charlie is the expert and he scurried down many a small track to investigate.

Mum was not too bothered with the smells but was interested in the assorted berries still available to the sides of the path.

Elderberries, brambles, rosehips and hawthorn berries were all to be found and like yesterday mum started collecting.

She did say that we should not eat any of them as they could be bad for us.

Overhead mum spotted a big bird circling as if looking for lunch.

We kept to the undergrowth so to be out of sight and hoped that maybe a mouse would make a better Sunday dinner.

Could it be an eagle, a buzzard or maybe a big hawk?

The bright sky silhouetted the gigantic wingspan against the sky so we could not get a good view and we didn’t want to get any closer to it.

When dad looked at the photographs when we got back home it seems as if the underside of the wings is white and the tail feathers are like those of a hawk.

Our path emerged by the side of the entrance to the Kingmoor Park Industrial Estate but not before we had past some large concrete posts with the letters MOD on them.

This area was the site of the former 14MU military base and dad wondered if these were left over from that time.

Maybe they had been the outer boundary markers to the base or maybe MOD stands for something else like ‘Mind Out Dachshunds’.

With the path ending by the side of the busy road we decided it was best to return to the car via the path we had just come along.

It is always interesting how you spot somethings when walking along a path oneway however spot different things when travelling in the opposite direction.

This was the story when mum spotted this big red toadstool, or fungi.

With a bright coloured top it looked quite scary so we kept our distance whilst dad, careful not to touch it in case it was nasty, took the photograph.

Given that this path was well made and fairly flat, mum and dad discussed if it may have once been a railway line. They did not know however from where to where… The research continues.

The woodland felt very ancient and indeed we could have been in Middle Earth, especially as a Medieval ring, known as the Kingmoor or Greymoor Ring had been found here in the 19th Century, which is thought to have inspired the Lord of The Ring Stories.  However, mum said that the only ‘tricksy Hobbits’ in the wood would be us two….still, we kept a keen eye open for Gollum and Orcs.

Enough for now as we need a bit of a sleep after our expedition

Buster and Charlie.

Other articles of interest

Kingmoor Nature Reserve visited, Carlisle

Caldbeck, John Peel and a bobbin mill called The Howk

Caldbeck in North Cumbria was our destination earlier this week as we once again went on our adventures.

This small village is situated midway between Carlisle and Keswick, around 12miles from each.

One claim to fame for this area is the erection of the new television transmitter mast on a nearby fell.

This mast is the third tallest structure in the UK and beams digital tv signals to the local area and southern Scotland.

The digital switchover is complete in North Cumbria, so if you are visiting in your caravan or motorhome you will need a set top box,  as no old fashioned analogue tv signals can be received.

Our walk.

We started our walk just a little way outside of the village as this allowed us a bit of a run before we needed short leads on the pavements.

As we entered the village with the TV masts behind us, we crossed the road and entered Caldbeck village car park, grid ref NY 319398.

Making sure we kept out of the way of any cars, we passed straight through and out the other end bearing off to our right. A slight climb, 30m,  and we came out by the village duck pond.

We must have looked lost at this stage until Dad spotted a sign to our left on a tall gate, around 50m away across another quiet village road.

Passing between some lovely cottages made from former farm buildings, we pass through another gate and onto the path away from the village.

The path is firm, well drained and suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. It does have a slight incline so an assistant may be required.

After around 10 minutes we exited into a clearing with some tall buildings in front of us.

A notice board said we had come upon the Howk.

Situated in a limestone gorge, the only one in the Lake District, is the restored former wooden bobbin mill.

You can only imagine the noise in this enclave when the mill was in full production in the 19th Century.

Power for the mill came from a waterwheel said to be the largest in the country and second largest in the world, according to some reports,  at 3 feet wide, and a 42 feet diameter.

Water for the wheel came from the Whelpo Beck which becomes Cald Beck as it approaches the village.

Carved into a stone, on the big building infront of us was the date AD 1857.

Hardwood copiced from the nearby woodland, was stored in the tall open building to our right. After being de-barked the seasoned wood was turned into wooden bobbins in the main building ahead.

Bobbins were used to store wool, threads and other materials vital to the spinning and weaving industries.  Plastic has since replaced the wooden bobbin.

Flax mills, woolen mills, corn mills  and papermills were among the many industries harnessing the local resources.

Rare lime loving plants can be found in the area including the Shield Fern.

Charlie found sniffs of many creatures passing through this area.

From above Mum could see the trails in the flattened tall grass however Charlie put his nose to the ground and had a field day.

The path led away behind the furthest buildings and after a steep climb, not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs,  we came upon these young cows.

They were very interested in us and came over to say hello.

Dad decided that we should not proceed into the field and we returned a little down the path to a small wooden bridge we had spotted earlier over Whelpo Beck.

Water was cascading down between the boulders very quickly.  We ran across the bridge so not to get too scared.

Steps led away from the ‘Fairy Bridge’ upto a field and we could once again have a good run around without mum and dad worrying.

Following the path to our left we passed two wooden gates with brass signs on them which read Private, and came upon a kissing gate where we waited for the ‘olds’ to catch up..

Dad’s in built compass indicated we had come out on to a road above the village of Caldbeck, so we headed down the hill to see what else we could find.

After passing a field with geese and donkeys in, we spotted to our right a red sign hidden a little by a wall.

Joe Strong and Son, Traditional Clogmakers, Boot and Shoe repairs.

Sadly he was not open and according to the assorted notices on the door, well worth a read if you are passing, he could be in bed, fixing a drystone wall or just closed.

In a shop below is a clock maker and repairer, opposite are the public toilets.

Our walk continued towards the village along the B5299, past the Oddfellows Arms and towards the church.

We both put our noses into the air as we could smell food as we passed through here but mum said we had to wait a little bit longer.

Keeping the local store to our left and the pub behind us we came to the edge of  St Kentigern’s churchyard.  A small tarmac path lead alongside the church wall which came out at a bridge.

Here we hoped to get a paddle and a well earned drink but the access to the water was  a bit steep.

To our left and just below the pack horse bridge is St Kentigern’s well. St Kentegern was also  affectionately known as St Mungo. The well is referred to in some texts as St Mungo’s Well.

According to tradition it is here that Kentegern, baptized 6th Century converts in the river waters.

A path leads away from the bridge to our right, between the church wall and the river and comes out finally at a place where we can have a drink.

Behind us is the restored Priest’s Mill with assorted gift shops and The Watermill cafe.

The cafe has an open air area to the rear where we stopped and had shared a bite to eat with Mum and Dad.

Dogs are most welcome, so long as they behave and don’t leave a mess. Previous visitors have included Pepsi and Max

After lunch, a very nice ham and salad sandwich, we returned to the front of the church where we saw this unusual round stone propped up against another boulder.

To the left is a small silver painted sign saying that this is a memorial in tribute to the men and their families who lived and worked in the mines of Roughton Gill for 400 years and who now lay in the churchyard.

The stone itself was used in the 19th century in its original circular form to process minerals from the mines.

It is well documented that Dad always seems to end up in a graveyard and this walk was no exception.

He had read that John Peel, the famous huntsman, not the radio DJ,  was buried nearby and wondered if he was remembered in the church somewhere.

We stayed with mum outside the church grounds whist dad went through the squeaky gates.

Sure enough, a white headstone to the left of the main church path, marked where he was buried.

We returned through the village to the car park where we started not before we investigated the path towards Sebergham.

Shall we say that it was very muddy and slippery and will have to wait for a bit of dry weather before we fully explore this area.

It did however result in us taking another paddle to get cleaned off before we got back in the car.

Until next time

Buster and Charlie

Kingmoor Nature Reserve visited, Carlisle

To the woods near Carlisle today for our big walk of the week.

The Kingmoor Nature Reserve to the north of the City was to be our destination as dad didn’t fancy going to far with rain clouds circling overhead.  He thought that at least the trees would provide a bit of cover if it did start to rain.

Parking in the car park just off Kingmoor Road, once dad had negotiated the tight entrance with the car, we put on our leads and started getting aquainted with our surroundings.

The 33 hectares that make up one of the oldest nature reserves in the country has recently been awarded Green Flag status.

This area has been enjoyed by the public for nearly 700 years, only becoming a nature reserve or is reported on some websites a bird sanctuary in 1913.

King Edward III gifted the original moorland to the citizens of Carlisle in 1352.  Granting grazing rights and allowing peat cutting for fuel.

Following a quick glimpse at the notice boards at the entrance to the woods, our adventures started along a well made and dry track forming part of a circular 800m route suitable for buggies and wheelchairs.

We decided however, after a few yards  to follow our noses along some side pathways and off into the woods.

Scattered all over the woodlands are sculptures, seats and things to see.

Tall marker posts indicate what trees can be found nearby, so a visit would keep children interested.

One of the oldest suviving horse racing prizes used to be contested on these moors. A tradition which dates back to 1599.

The Carlisle Bells are still fought over every year at the racecourse at Blackwell towards the end of June and can be seen at the local Guildhall.

Many little signs.

What do these signs indicate and where do we find out more information, as yet again on a walk we come across new signs?

Mum finds it very frustrating when she can not find out about routes, paths or the history of why someone has taken the trouble to waymark a route.  Here are two examples of trails we followed in part today but even searching the web we can not find out about them.  Can you help?

Our path takes us into an area known as Kingmoor Coppice and a woodland planted between 1992 and 1995.

Here we meet up with these bullocks who are very friendly and say hello through the bars of the gate.  We keep our distance so as not to scare the young things.

Charlie is being kept on a very short lead today,  as mum is not happy with the way he is behaving. Constantly pulling on his lead he is always out in front but mum has had enough, and his wings, so to speak, are being clipped.

For a dog that has had lots of hours training spent on him, he has just lost his head today.

He even got right out at the full length of his lead only to take a right into the dirtiest, muddiest trickle of a stream before mum could reign him in.

It could be because of the millions of new smells or maybe it is a ‘moon thing’ that is making him have a ‘trying day’.

Either way, he is in the naughty books and mum is not pleased.

The walk for me however, is great.  The soft woodland floor is great for my dodgy hip and the dry paths keep us both clean and reasonably tidy. The overhanging branches kept out the heat of the sunshine and help keep us cool.

We did miss a bit of a paddle and a slurp of water from a flowing stream as they had all dried to a claggy mess.  So we were glad when our path swung around and we headed back to the carpark for a well earned drink.

It was here that we spotted this gigantic woodpecker. We missed him when we first arrived possibly due to our excitement but he is is carved into an old tree.

See if you can spot him when you go for a walk in the woods.

Until next time

Buster and Charlie.