Rain continues to disrupt our walks on the fells or in potentially muddy places so earlier this week we re-visited a walk we did earlier in the year, March to be precise.

Our walk starts next to the print works in Cummersdale, between Carlisle and Dalston.

Thousands of trees

All seemed as it was when we last visited until we came to the area behind the Pirelli Tyre factory where it looked as if some workmen had been very busy.

Thousands of tree saplings had been planted in the field between the factory and the river.

Shielded in a white plastic tube, to stop them being munched by critters, the young trees formed a sort of artwork against the dark green grass.

We both looked at each other and decided it would be impossible to check every one of them out.

It must have taken a good few days to plant the trees. Mum wondered if they were to stabilise the flood plain and to drink up some of the water.

We have just walked all that way from the big trees to the right.

Information

Looking just like sticks, dad could not work out what kind of trees they are. We will have to come back in the summer to see if we can see any young leaves.

Following the path alongside the back of the cemetery and up the rise towards Denton Holme you can really see how much work has been done in this area for flood defences.

Information panel

A new wildlife pond has been created at the edge of the stream known as Fairy Beck and a new interpretation panel has been installed.

This panel tells of the rich wildlife in the area, where all the seats are and details of a 3.7km circular walk.

Weir in Denton Holme

Water

The full walk sounds like a good idea if it is dry for a few weeks.

Water is cascading down the weir after all the recent rain.  It looks quite a sight with the wall of water falling about a metre and it makes a bit of a noise.

Bridge finally installed

When we visited back in March the water was clear and sparking white. Today, it was like the foam on top of a drink mum calls coffee.

All the flood defence workmen have left this area and it does look rather grand.

New boots

The bridge we saw in two parts now spans the river.  It even can handle our dads weight.

Painted in a green grey colour the metal construction is wide enough for bikes and walkers to cross in safety in to the Bousteads Grassing area of the city from Denton Holme.

That is about all for our update today as it is starting to rain once more.  Our return was a little bit quicker than our outward journey and we stayed reasonably clean.

Dad says he is going to buy some new trampling boots tomorrow so I think some long walks are on the cards to break them in.

Until next time

Buster and Charlie.

When mum and dad visited Orkney a few weeks ago they spotted two miniature buildings on their travels.

Upon their return they have, even with our help, been unable to find out anything more about them. So can you help?

Building one

Miniature house on A691 Holm to Kirkwall

Situated around 20m from the A691 from Holm to Kirkwall is what appears to be a wooden stately home built into the fence line.

Miniature house on A691 Holm to Kirkwall

Dad initally thought it could be a horse jump, due to the nearby fence similar to those you see at equestrian events.

Closer inspection shows however little damage to fragile chimney pots or any real scuffing of the roof.

It would seem as if this building has been in place since at least  2005 as this Flickr posting indicates.

Building two

On the coast close to the B9042 on South Ronaldsay and with great views all around,  is this castle fit for a princess.

Miniature building near Herston

Built from what appears to be masonry this building is what appears to be a fantastic play house given it’s scale.

Miniature building near Herston

Mum and dad were unsure what building the model was based upon but, given the grand tower and long roof it looks like possibly a cathedral or building similar to Westminster Hall in London.

Do you know of the history of either of these buildings? Let us know via the comments box below.

Other news

New website spirit-of-orkney.com is coming along well and has now started to develop some great content. It is hard to pull the humans away from the computer as they write up loads of notes and discuss where photographs were taken.

Maybe we will get to see this place sometime…

Thats all for now

Buster and Charlie