…….when we did more “little” drives, “did” another scary Pass, and enjoyed “A Brief Encounter”.
This is part 14 of Dee’s grey nomad adventure around Europe. To read her previous instalment, click here.
Trying to beat the crowds in a popular tourist area is quite a challenge! We took a short drive to a local medieval village called Cartmel – lovely place but very commercialised. Had a good walk around but decided to check out Grange-over-Sands, which is an old fashioned seaside resort: not too much candy floss, just more “gentile”. Then, again local, we went for a tour of a nineteenth century bobbin mill. In the early 19th century, the Lancashire textile industry rapidly developed, which led to an increase in the demand for bobbins. Wooden bobbins held cotton thread and were placed on large mechanical looms that wove the cotton into cloth. In 1835 Stott Park Bobbin Mill was built in response to this demand. It employed 300 men, women and children. Now you might think that a bobbin mill is boring, but it was extremely interesting and informative, plus it all still works! You can see the whole process from tree to bobbin. It was closed in 1971, and would not be allowed now, as just about all of it contravenes Health and Safety! There must have been a lot of fingers and hands lost.
The following day we did more driving, with a bit of walking in between. This time we drove along the Kirkstone Pass, and when we arrived at the top we parked the van and did the English thing: chairs, little table, and parasol! Had lunch on the top of the world! Then we went in search of the Castlerigg Stone Circle, near Keswick. It was back roads all the way, but we knew when we had arrived…there was an icecream van sitting in the layby! Castlerigg Stone Circle is one of the earliest of Britain’s circles, raised some 5000 years ago in the Neolithic period. It really looked atmospheric even in the summer sunshine.
More driving along the west coast and here I need to mention that although the roads we’ve been on in Scotland were no wider – mostly single track with passing places – the difference is that in Scotland there’s no hedgerow or wall, so you don’t feel “squashed” or “enclosed”. In the Lake District there’s often solid stone brick walls each side, so you feel that at any moment you might scrape the car on either side, plus it’s harder to see what’s coming. Another difference we found was that in Scotland, there was always a smile and a “thank you” wave when using the passing places. In the Lake District, first of all the drivers drive at crazy speeds, there’s no acknowledgement when you pull into a passing space to let someone through. We think it’s because most visitors to the Lakes are town/city people and they haven’t got out of the aggressive driving stance and need to rush – that is somewhat typical of townies. Just our theory.
We did spend one day doing domestic duties; we have a little washing machine with us, so made use of that, and cleaned out the caravan a bit. We had run out of a couple of staples, so decided to cycle to the nearby service station as it had some groceries. Just round the corner, on the busy main road. In a car it’s no distance at all…and you don’t notice the hill. On the bike, let’s say that once we were out of the country road onto the busy main road, for two miles we didn’t use the pedals. Plus I found the cars rushing by quite terrifying. It was a hot day too; bought our cream and bread etc., loaded up my pannier, and set off uphill all the way, granny gear right from the start, cars whizzing by us too close for my comfort, finally got back and Cyril then told us that there was a nice cycle track alongside the main road, behind the trees, which used to be the main road!
Pays to chat to the locals first!
On our last day in the area, I (being the designated tour guide as Greg insists) decided we’d do something different. We went south to Carnforth Railway Station. What on earth is special about this Railway Station? I was disappointed when Greg said he’d never heard of the film A Brief Encounter, made 70 years ago. This is the railway station featured in the film and the area around it, and they’ve kept the platform and tea room exactly as it was then, plus there’s a heritage museum there. You can even watch the film in a little cinema there. All free. Although we did sit in the tearoom and had tea and cake, and that cost £7. We enjoyed the visit and doubt many people know about it.
We were going to take a walk along the boardwalk of a bird sanctuary, but it was so busy we couldn’t park. Disappointed because I love bird watching, we headed off again to do some intrepid exploring, looking for the beginning (or end?) of the local canal. Ordnance survey in hand, we drove along “roads” that would put most people off, grass growing in the middle, VERY narrow; we never found what we were hunting for, because the road petered out. But it was fun trying.
So that was our Lake District experience. We had a good time, the weather was good, but I think we’re over single tracks with passing places for a while and commercialised tourist spots!
Onwards…..south to Shropshire….
Have you been to the Lake District? Have you explored the same places as Dee did? If so, what did you do? And if not, where in Scotland would you like to visit?