Due to my hip causing a few niggles recently, we have been taking it a bit easier and revisiting a few places with soft ground and easy access.

Harebells growing on the edge of a field

Today it was the turn of the Lanercost area, where we have not visited for over a year.

Our walk started next to the Lanercost bridge and headed towards the fields alongside the river, at the rear of Lanercost Priory.

Charlie made straight for the water which was flowing quite fast after all the recent rain.

Charlie takes a moment for a rest

It was quite brown and tasted very earthy. Dad mentioned something about the water being ideal for a good Scottish Malt. Whatever that means ?

Whilst we were having a paddle, mum spotted some very delicate pale blue flowers bending in the gentle breeze.

Almost hidden in the long grass, at the edge of a rich green field, the large flower seemed quite out of scale atop a very thin stalk

Lanercost Priory - looks like it has escaped from a horror movie

She said they were Harebells and quite a special flower as they are quite fragile.

Horror movie filmset

Following the path around the field we approached Lanercost Priory from the graveyard side.

We were quite saddened to see that the older part of the graveyard was looking quite unloved.

Large ferns were growing in many areas and a pile of grass clippings had been dumped in the middle of the once tidy rows of stones.

Given that many tourists and locals visit the area it seemed quite a shame that it appeared that no one was caring for it.

The last visitor who didn't pay to visit the Priory?

Dad took a photograph and, in his mind could already see the dark, spooky horror movie image just by turning it to black and white. The black and white image above is the result of a bit of computer playing around when he came back home.  We have to say that we tend to agree with it’s sinister look and feel.

This image was still with us when we came across the poor soul made of metal ‘hanging around’ near to the farm shop.

A new sign erected at the entrance to the village

We mentioned this sculpture way back in April 2010.

Made by  local artist Ian McMean it now seems to have found a permanent place guarding the entrance to Lanercost Priory.

Food at Lanercost

Given that our tummies were starting to get the rumbles, mum nipped into the food and gift shop on our way back to the car.

She emerged only a few minutes later without any bags or goodies and a big frown on her face.

It would appear that the shop is no longer stocking a wide range of eatables and, if todays visit is anything to go by, appears to be struggling to fill the shelves.

This is quite a disappointment,  as we were hoping for something full of flavour and taste from a local producer for our lunch.

Let us hope that the building does not become an outlet store selling knitware and glass snow globes of the Priory.

As we headed back to the car we left Lanercost quite deflated and without anything for lunch.  We did however have a good walk and a paddle.

Until next time – Big licks

Buster and Charlie

Venturing out of the house for a quick brisk walk, mum said she had lots to do today, we headed for Dalston.

Harris hawk in Dalston

This place, just a few miles from home, is ideal for a reasonable walk, some new sniffs and, in the summer, a paddle in the river.

Frost still clung to the grass and branches as we parked the car and set off on our walk.  Every time we visit we spot something new and today was no exception.

Within minutes we heard a most unusual squawk behind us, unlike anything we had ever heard.

Turning round we saw a big bird perched on a man’s arm.  It was making quite a noise and flapping it’s wings.

The big white bridge in Dalston is still closed

Mum and dad spoke to the owner of what turned out to be a female Harris hawk called Keo.  They were going for a walk and a bit of a play in the nearby woods and fields.

Dalston White bridge still closed

Being in Dalston gives us chance to check up on the White Bridge.  We reported that this popular crossing had been closed in November 2010 following an assessment by divers.

The bridge is still closed and sealed with high barriers welded on either end.

Turnip supplies refilled thanks to local vegetable grower

Assorted official notices adorn the railings indicating alternative crossing points and that the repairs may take a few months yet to complete.

Our path now turns right into the field alongside the river.  The cold weather is fantastic for bringing out some great sniffs.  Rabbit, the occasional mouse, mole and cow are all to be found along with many we do not know the names for.

We continue out the other end of the field and through the woods before we turn around and head back towards the village.

Fresh vegetables

Turnip, sprouts and carrots are all our favourites for cleaning our teeth and as a general treat straight from the fridge.

Turnips, spuds and parsnips all for less than £5

Our habits cost mum a small fortune, so when the chance comes to save some chew money, she is eager to find out more.

Situated just off the main car-park in Dalston is a small green sign propped up next to some railings  it reads – ‘Waltons Vegetable Shop’.

Passing through the gate you find a wooden shed stocked full of dirty vegetables with real taste.

Mum chose some potatoes, some parsnips and two turnips and the cost was below £5.  A bargain she said compared to supermarket prices.

Scattered all over the country are similar farm gate shops and outlets. You can find a number of them here at pick-your-own-veg.com.

Sausages

Sausage supplies restocked - from a fantastic local butcher

In the title of this blog we mentioned sausages, well, no visit to Dalston is now complete without some mighty fine meaty licks from the butcher.

Last time we visited, we took home some chilli and lime sausages and very nice they were too.  So first on the shopping list was a repeat order.  This was to be complimented with some Carrock Cumberland sausage.

The hot pan and fresh buns await…..

Until next time

Buster and Charlie

Just spotted this website where you can learn all about working sheepdogs.

A fantastic instructional Border Collie sheepdog handling experience in Cumbria

This would make an ideal Christmas present for that ‘not sure what to get ‘ person.

http://www.lakedistrictsheepdogexperience.co.uk

Details are Troutal Farm
Seathwaite
Duddon Valley
Cumbria
LA20 6EF
United Kingdom
01229 716235

More details when we get them  - but the website is worth a visit

Please mention you spotted the link on ablogfrommydog.com

Today we went in search of Montague Mouse and his woodland friends during a woodland walk at Wigton just outside of Carlisle.

Who lives here?

Montague Mouse and his friends, Sebastian Shrew, Maudie Mole and Willie Water Vole live, along with a host of other characters, amongst the trees and shrubs of High Hall Nursery around 12 miles south-west of Carlisle just off the A595.

After parking the car, slightly in the shade to try and keep it a little cool, we were eager to go exploring.  A large noticeboard showed us what we could expect to see and a map of the trail ahead.

We started on the woodland path but after about 30m our attention was drawn to a distant voice coming from behind some of the trees.  Dad thought it was the ‘woodland folk’ and looked all around until he realised a lady was trying to get our attention.  She asked if we wanted a ‘ Find the Woodland Homes ‘ form.  

Woodland houses not 'To Let'

After a quick drink from a bowl of water supplied at the entrance to the forest trail we set off once again, this time armed with two pencils and a clipboard, in search of the front doors of the  woodland folk.

Recently reopened after the winter the woodland trail was in good condition and ideal for a scamper about.  The notice at the entrance to the forest walk asked if we could stay on our leads and take care to stay on the path.  

Our form had 30 empty spaces, so our challenge was going to be tough however, it wasn’t long before we spotted our first front door nestling at the base of a tree stump almost hidden by the long grass.

Charlie enjoys his walk

One down 29 to go.  Red, blue and green doors all come into sight as we get used to spotting them.  Some of them are low down others a few feet off the ground, but all are visible from the path.

Charlie becomes a bit of an expert and is soon searching for the doorways but he gets distracted as he can hear running water.  

The River Townthwaite is flowing nearby and it is a good job he is on his lead or he would be off down the hill for a paddle.

Red squirrels could occasionally be seen scampering across the path in front of us and in the trees many birds were busy singing their hearts out high in the branches bathed with early spring sunshine.

Crossing a small bridge we return to the car park with five empty spaces on our form.  There is only one thing for it, we will have to go around again.

So another quick drink and we start all over again checking off the doors as we find them.  This time the pace is a lot slower as every tree, stump and hollow is checked for doorways.

Found another house dad ...

Now we are not sure if we were allowed to start the circular path again in search of the woodland folk, but it was a challenge we were going to achieve.

 I found the first of the missing doorways hidden at the bottom of a tall tree and it wasn’t long before all of the doors were found.  

Our celebrations were short lived when we came across another door not previously on our list.  This made 31 doors and only 30 slots on our form,  Oops.

Dad then recounted a phrase he learnt at school just before exams, ‘ Read the question!’

Charlie inspects some of the plants

We had counted on our list some of the doors marked as ‘Stores’ where the woodland folk would keep provisions for the winter.  

This was incorrect according to the rules of the game, as only houses were to be listed.  

After the removal of a few ‘stores’ we calculated that we still needed two doors to complete our list.

Esme the Earwig and Tomas Toad’s residences were soon found and our form was complete.

Our walk ended as mum filled in our names on the form and posted it in the competition letterbox  at the entrance to the plant nursery.

The nursery ...

A small wooden bridge crossed a moat, designed to keep deer away from this area of the garden, where a small plant nursery was to be found.

Charlie was in his element sniffing all of the garden pots and curios displayed under the many tables containing plants.  

Watering cans, hanging baskets and even an old bike were arranged as if just lifted from a film set or department store window.

Dad said he could have spent hours photographing the bits and pieces especially in the early morning or evening when the light would be just right.

Mum said that many of the plants available for sale in the nursery were different to those found at the usual big garden centres, with many of them suitable for a semi shaded or woodland habitat.  She picked out a few for our garden, whilst dad sat on a small chair in the shadow of the garden shed and we lay on the warm gravel and enjoyed the sunshine.

Worth a visit.

We really enjoyed our walk and sniffs and if you are looking for a simple, easy, non complicated way to spend a couple of hours then High Hall Nursery is ideal.  

It is slightly off the beaten track, so few humans know if its existence. You will not find toilets or a cafe but  you are assured of a friendly welcome and it offers something different and unique from the run of the mill gardening hypermarkets.

We will be back hopefully later in the year to see the arrival of the autumn colours.

Entrance to the woodland walk and nursery is free (at time of posting).

The walk is just under ½ mile in length and takes you through woodland, which in Spring is full of bluebells, ramsons, and foxgloves, not to mention a variety of fungi.

Website A well written website with some great contents and many  links. You can also download audio files of birdsong and get details of membership of The Friends of the Woodland Folk.  http://www.highhallnursery.co.uk

The address is High Hall Nursery & Woodland Walk, Westward, nr Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 8NQ,

Telephone number 016973 44 308

Brochure available here

Opening Times (2009) available here

GPS data 

• Postcode: CA7 8NQ , 
• Grid Reference: NY269436 , 
• Latitude: 54:46:57N (54.7825)
• Longitude: 3:08:12W (-3.1367)