West Cumbria Day Trip

[James]

I went visit my sister, she lives about 80 miles away near the southern end of the Lake District. There are several routes down there but my favourite includes a small unclassified road, over Cold Fell on the western fringes of the Lake District. On a clear day you get some stunning views of the fells and the valleys of Eskdale, Wasdale and Ennerdale from Cold Fell, so of course it was raining hard from dark, dark clouds when I set off.

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span>Fuelling up the bike on the northern edge of Carlisle and the rain was getting heavier, but about five miles later the rain stopped. Another five miles and the roads were dry and I didn’t see any more rain, or even a damp road, for the rest of the day. </span>

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">

It became one of those perfect rides - pleasantly warm, very little traffic and the TDM just ticked along. And, of course, the 160 mile round trip had mysterious grown to over 220 miles before I eventually returned home at 9.30 pm. 

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">

Photos from the homeward leg.

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">





Teeny, tiny TDM, plus owner, well within vaporisation range from the Sellafield Nuclear Leakage facility.





From the same spot looking west to Whitehaven and the Irish Sea.

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">

Facts about Whitehaven that might be useful in a Pub quiz or hostage situation.

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 

1. The only US Navy invasion of British soil took place in 1778 at Whitehaven, led by none other than Led Zeppelin bass man, John Paul Jones.
   
2. Whitehaven was the first 'designed' town in England since medieval times the grid system of streets inspired the grid pattern of streets in New York.
   

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">



The Herdwick - the definitive Lake District fell sheep, introduced by the Vikings about 1200 years ago.

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">



Looking S.W. in the general direction of Wasdale.

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">



No other traffic today!

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">





<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">



<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">



Looking north-east from the Ennerdale end of the road.

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">



Ennerdale.

<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(44,62,80);font-family:'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">



And that's yer lot!

[drewpy]

looks amazing, can't beat the uk for scenery especially if you get the weather

[Rallyist]

John Paul Jones was a mad Scotsman that became an American ships captain

see here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_Jones

lots to answer for them Scots :rotflmmfao: :rotflmmfao: :rotflmmfao:

[Catteeclan]

Nice one Jim. Ain't been to the lakes for a while, normally xmas break for us.

Thanks for sharing.

[Studley Ramrod]

Cracking photos as always Jim. :good:  Thanks for sharing.

[ramotdm]

Great pic's

 

made me feel jealous  :good:  

[leehenty]

And the niner just took it all in it's stride

[James]

And the niner just took it all in it's stride

As always Lee  :good: