Driving down to Cockermouth

I am so proud of myself. I went on my first solo drive across the UK from Consett in Durham to Cockermouth in Cumbria. It wasn’t as bad as I thought and everyone seemed quite happy to overtake me as I pootled along in the slow lane. I had done much research into the speeding laws before I left, so at least I didn’t speed. It was also my first chance to really try out the GPS on my phone. It was great! That was so helpful in not getting lost. The drive itself was pleasant and would have been more so if my shoulders hadn’t been up around my neck with the tension of driving on unfamiliar roads. I had a cracking headache by the time I arrived at Aunty Pauline’s.

I got in just after midday. Before I had left Consett I had tried to go to the post shop to post Cherie’s pressie but the line was out the door with all of the pensioners collecting their pension so I went to the post office in Cockermouth. It was much quicker and I got to have a walk out and a stretch. I was surprised at the cost to send the package to NZ. I really thought it was going to be around 20 pounds but it ended up only being 10.40.

Castlerigg Standing Stones

It was so lovely to see Aunty Pauline and Uncle Ian. I got a huge hug which I absorbed heartily. It was just what I needed and I almost cried. I never thought of myself as a touchy person but I think travelling has limited the human contact, the touch of family and friends, and I realised that it was something I was missing. Not the quick hug of awkwardness, but the prolonged hug where you absorb another person’s aura.

Anyway, Tuesday evening had my tasting the most epic roast. It was duck, goose, turkey and chicken, rolled together and wrapped in bacon. Droooool. When I finally went to bed I was exhausted and full and the bed was exceedingly soft and comfortable.

Wednesday morning Aunty Pauline and I had made plans to go for a walk. So we packed a lunch and headed out. I really wanted to see the stone circle of Castlerrig. I can now tick that off. Every set of stones that I have visited so far have been awe-inspiring, and this one was no different. There were around 40 stones in a circle, all of differing size and shape. The sit on the very top of the hill, on a flat top and around the outside, looking down on them is a 360 degree vista of snow-capped hills and mountain ranges. As you can imagine, it leant a certain tranquillity to the area, marking it as a sacred space. And the knowledge that it is somewhere between 3000 and 4000 years old is mind-boggling. Aunty Pauline told me there is a rule about hugging the stones - I am not sure how much truth there was too it, but when have I ever passed up the opportunity to hug 4000 year old anything!



Ashness Bridge

From the stone circle we made our way back down to the launch on Derwent Waters where we caught a ferry around to Ashness Gate. From there we hopped off and began a long climb up and up and up. The sun shone down and the skies were clear all the way up the hill. When we arrived at the Ashness bridge we stopped for lunch. The bridge crosses a babbling river that makes its way down to the lake and is surrounded on both sides by stones and rocks which make great spots to sit and picnic. The bridge is an original horse and donkey bridge made of stone. What amazes me about this little arched bridge is that it now carries cars across it as the ascend to the top of the hill. This tiny bridge that was built before cars is more than able to not only hold up under the weight but looks the same as it did when it was built hundreds of years earlier. Amazing.

So, as I said, we stopped and had our lunch beside the water, the sun beating down and taking some of the chill out of the air. I think it got up to 8 degrees and as we sat we enjoyed the scenery and philosophised. Aunty Pauline said that her mum would always encourage them as children to study the world around them, to marvel at the beauty of what was before them. We spoke of how people today are so much more busy, that so many people rush through life without stopping to enjoy what is right before them. I am quite happy just sitting in one place, letting the world move around me. I could have spent the whole of that day beside that river and been happy that I had spent the day well.


View from Surprise View Point

After lunch we kept heading up the hill. We ended up at Surprise View Point from which you can look back over to the launch, across the entire of the lake which on a clear day like it was, was even more spectacular. The blue of the sky was reflected down onto the water, making it a brilliant, deep azure colour surrounded by mountains and green trees.
We headed back down the hill to the lake and walked back around the lakeshore to the launch. I think we must have walked around 10km. By the time we got back we were knackered and more than ready for bed. Except it was only 4pm! When I went to bed I lay there, my body aching but I fell asleep fairly quickly after that.

Today (Thursday) was an entirely different day. I really wanted to go to the Wordsworth house, what with Cockermouth being his birthplace. I finally got to use my National Trust of NZ membership too! It was free to go in and Aunty Pauline signed up for one too so that she could get into the UK ones and the NZ ones when they arrive at the end of the year. Because she signed up for the UK one she got a free parking for National Trust car parks sticker and she got me one too. Even better.

The Wordsworth house was great fun. There is lots to look at and the volunteers are well-informed

and really happy to talk to you about the house and the history. I even tried on the good ol' tri-cornered hat. We went to the Lakes cafe afterwards, feeling a smite peckish from all that history before making our way back via a circuitous route along the old railway line and the river, all the while having my personal tour guide (aka Aunty Pauline) giving me a run down on the flood devastation, the rebuilding and the history of the town. It was another good walk out and my calves are killing me today.

Tomorrow, if the weather holds out, I am going to head back into the Keswick for a bit of kayaking on the lake. The view will be breath-taking and I am keen to see the mountains from the middle of the lake.