Alcester We left the continent with a sad heart as we really enjoyed the 9 months we spent exploring different countries, but England was full of colour as we drove to Alcester and Alcester itself was festooned with flowers as the streets were decorated with hanging baskets and windows sills of petunias and geraniums. We spent a few days with Pat and Keith, just to recharge the batteries and to meet the newest member of the family Alice Eve. A beautiful baby. South West Lake District The Cumbria district was magic as we descend into the vales of the mountains. They were awash with sunlight and a variety of different greens with granite outcrops came into view. It looked like the areas of Gloucester in NSW. Christine and Bob were there to meet us at their lovely home, which is a refurbished old Mill near Muncaster Castle. They showed us the Wast Water Lakes and the enormous screes that descended from the side of the mountains, it has lovely views , (which is worth considering for a painting) and we explored the quaint village of Ravenglass where the Esk Estuary meets the sea. We took beautiful sunset pictures there. The next day we rode the miniature railway to Ravenglass. They are little steam trains with tiny carriages full of families, just like Thomas the Tank Engine. Our grandchildren would of loved it. Kev took lots of videos for them. At Ravenglass we walked along a track in a temperate rainforest until we came across the Stanley Force (a waterfall), a lovely cascade of water directing itself into a babbling brook. Christine says at winter time its magical with its icicles dripping down. We decided to to tempt the walk along Muncaster Fell a ridge dividing Eskdale from Santon and Wasdale. The ridge was covered in gorse, heather,bracken, purple moss grass and granite boulders. The views were spectacular from the top as the estuary flows into the Irish sea and rolling hills leave green valleys to reach granite peaks on the other three sides. It was if we were walking through the Lord of the Rings set and we expected Frodo to merge up the slope at any time. We found a stone memorial called Ross Camp 1883 thats looks neolithic and thats when we took the wrong track and started to head the wrong way. Climbing back up on the heather was horrible as the ground was boggy and tuffs of grasses wobbled under foot. The walking stick was bogged so many times it came apart. We finally found the path and descent towards the railway to be picked up by the miniature train. There is some history in the area and Ill quote from a guide book A folly is built to mark the spot where Henry VI was found wandering alone following the defeat of his Lancastrian army in 1464. He was refused help at Iron Hall so he set out on the fells to Muncaster where shepherds found him and escorted him to Muncaster Castle. Lord John Pennington gave him refuge and was rewarded with a enamelled glass bowl, which so long it remains neither cracked or broken would ensure good fortune. The Pennington still have this bowl today and its encased in a glass cabinet. Christine and Bob was so helpful, great hosts, fantastic meals and such nice people. They have been living at the mill for 12 years and have renovated it to a very comfortable home. The corn mill began operating about 1848 set by the river Mite and the miniature railway leads through it. They have the most beautiful natural gardens and ponds, which has a fairy tale atmosphere. It was hard to part but were on our way to Hadrians wall near Scotland.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 09:12:07 +0000
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