Recent heavy rain has started once again to do damage in North Cumbria.
As yet, it is nowhere near the dangerous conditions seen in some of our towns and villages almost a year ago. However, like the economy for the two leggers, the foundations are starting to be eroded.
With the sun shining we arrived for what dad hoped would be a dry walk along the paths at Dalston, near Carlisle.
We have visited this area on many occasions and, following the recent bad weather, it was thought that we would have a good clean walk on the proper path by the river.
Autumn in Dalston
After parking the car alongside the Nestle factory we walked down to the river pathway a few hundred metres away.
Turning right we headed behind the factory and towards Carlisle.
Willow trees, oaks and many other plants have now fully embraced the season and are displaying some fantastic coloured leaves.
Rustling in the slight breeze they made a lovely sound and the ideal accompaniment to the birdsong.
Leaving the industry and the town behind, the path curves towards the River Caldew and this is where we saw the first evidence of river damage.
Path damage near to railway
Sandwiched between the river and the railway line, our path had started to crumble away.
Dad took the photograph above looking back towards Dalston. To the right is the railway line, just beyond the stone wall, and to the left is the river.
Ripples in the surface of the path clearly indicate movement beneath. The lack of banking on the river side is also an indication that all is not well.
We move quickly on for a few hundred meters until our path is blocked by some rather large puddles.
Flooded paths
It would seem as if this walk had now become a bit of a challenge. Ahead lay a number of deep looking ponds and, although no problem for us would cause a problem for dad who was only wearing his normal shoes and not wellingtons.
For once, dad was unprepared and mum took full advantage. You should have heard the taunts.
We now had a bit of a problem on how to proceed. We could try and go around or we could return the way we arrived and have a much shortened walk. Or maybe we could take a third option that involved a bit of off road walking to our right and towards the river.
River Caldew erosion
Decision made, and we get a paddle as we go off-path towards the river.
Turning right we follow a narrow path and yet again we come across a puddle. This time Mum and dad can keep to a high bank and we get to cool our tummies in the cool water – R-E-S-U-L-T.
Soggy wet and lickers full of water, we all rejoin the slightly muddy path after about 30m.
This is where mum and dad became aware of some rather large sploshing sounds coming from in front of us. Initially they thought that it was birds or maybe a few stones being dropped into the river. However, as we rose up the river bank we were stopped in our tracks as the path had vanished.
The plopping sound was the river bank falling into the water and, if we had any doubt, another bit crumbled right in front of us.
Time to make yet another detour, this time through the long grass and away from the edge as far as possible. The long grass was full of sticky burs (Goose grass)….Oh boy, is mum going to have fun getting these out!
Butcher in Dalston
We returned to the proper path and back in to Dalston all safe and well, but with big hungries in our tummies. As it was Saturday all the shops are open in the village including the bakers and the butchers.
Our detective noses soon sought out the butchers, Carrock Meats, helped by the smell of cooking pies and assorted meats. Mum was sent in for sausages or some smoky bacon. Next to the bakers a few doors away, for some buns and a cake or two.
Carrier bags now full of goodies, it was off home for a well earned lunch……. and a bath:-(
Until next time
Charlie and Buster
UPDATE
We have just read that the White Bridge, just upstream from our walk today, has been closed due to a void appearing under the central support.
According to the Dalston website the repair may not be carried out until at least June of next year, 2011.
The website goes on to say that ‘ The pier has been undercut so badly that a 2 meter probe plus the diver’s arm were unable to detect the back of the void‘.
Barriers have been welded across the bridge to stop anyone crossing. Lets hope it does not collapse in the winter storms.