Carlisle, Hadrian's Wall, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales

We awoke to a drizzly grey day in Carlisle. We had a very nice not-English breakfast because they are beginning to get a bit monotonous. I had shredded wheat (very healthy) and an apple which was possibly the first raw vegetable I have had in over a month. We left Carlisle heading east to find a view of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman construction that ran for 120 km from west to east along the Scottish border to keep the Picts out. On the way we met two Border Terriers patrolling the wall and nearby Lanercost Priory. They were called Brandy and Jasper and seemed to fit right into “Border” country. Both were a little overweight making even Nina look like Kate Moss. We visited part of Hadrian’s wall that had a Roman Turret; very impressive. We then left Carlisle and travelled into the north of the Lake District. Travelling south through the Lake District we passed Lake Ullswater and then Lake Windermere. The area was reminiscent of then Queenstown area in NZ with towering snow-topped mountains (Mark calls them hills) serving as a backdrop to beautiful still lakes; the only difference being the bare winter trees. We continued to a place called Grange-over-Sand, a small seaside village on the southern coast below the Lake District. Here we stopped at UK Tea Guild winner of 2006 – Hazelmere. We had a very nice lunch with Pork pie, fresh chutney selection, cheese, salad, and fresh bread followed by scones and Rum Nicky. Mark said the tea was as good as Bradford-upon-Avon. We bought some goodies to take away. Some followers have suggested that we have consumed large amounts of pork pie but in fact this was only our 4th in as many weeks in England. We headed east to enter the Yorkshire dales all the while humming the theme tune from All Creatures Great and Small (click here if you’ve forgotten it) The snow-covered dales, dry stonewalls, narrow lanes and the odd cow were very reminiscent of James Herriot. Gus and Nina would have fitted very well into the picture being the same dogs as James Herriot had. As darkness fell we continued on our journey to arrive in Skipton on the southern border of the Yorkshire dales. We’re staying in a nice 5 star B+B close to the village centre. We will explore a little tomorrow before heading on to Halifax. Mark has to catch a 3’o clock train to London and I have booked Squirrel Cottage in Queensbury. I’ve contacted my Uncle Steve and Grandmother and we will catch up on Sunday.