One of the eras of history I most enjoy is that bit of British history after the Romans and before the arrival of those pesky Normans. When the land was split between numerous kingdoms who battled for control and eventual a land of many kingdoms became one of few. It seems at least some of these… Continue reading The betrayal that ended the old British kingdom of Rheged
Tag: Cumbria
Hardknott Pass & Hardknott Fort – Perhaps the most remote Roman outpost in the Empire.
Following my climb up Skiddaw on the first day of my holiday, I fancied something a little bit more sedate, though at times no less hair-raising. After visiting Castlerigg Stonecircle and in keeping with my both laid back approach and fiercely testing idea of approaching my first days off in the year, I decided that I would visit the… Continue reading Hardknott Pass & Hardknott Fort – Perhaps the most remote Roman outpost in the Empire.
A close encounter with a Brocken Spectre
Fear not, this isn’t an early Halloween posting though the word ‘Spectre’ is accurate in the spooky image that it relates to. In my last post on climbing Skiddaw, I neglected to mention that I was lucky enough to see a Brocken Spectre. These are rather rare natural occurrences though I am fortunate to have… Continue reading A close encounter with a Brocken Spectre
Visiting the magical land behind a waterfall and underground caving!
So far on our holiday no two days had been the same and this was to be no different. After doing a soot of shopping in Alston, the highest market town in England, we headed east over the Peninnes and moors into neighbouring County Durham. Though perhaps common place in larger or less densely populated… Continue reading Visiting the magical land behind a waterfall and underground caving!
Castlerigg Stone Circle and the Lakes
Following my early morning walk to the abandoned mine, we headed out for a day of touring. We headed towards The Lake District, a large area designated a National Park containing many of England’s highest mountains and numerous large lakes as well as smaller lakes or tarns situated high up in the mountains as a… Continue reading Castlerigg Stone Circle and the Lakes
Fell walking and an abandoned mine
Early on Tuesday morning I decided to take advantage of the dry weather and walk up a Fell (the local term for the high moors in this part of the world). I really really like the outdoors and the lack of people, cars, planes and avoiding anything in anyway 21st century. The moors are generally… Continue reading Fell walking and an abandoned mine
Holiday day 3… The Beamish Open Air museum
It’s often said that one never visits the touristic places near to where one lives. I never went on the London Eye until a family from Chicago paid me too. The Beamish Open Air Museum is a likely unique museum dedicated to preserving and informing future generations about the special industrial heritage of working class… Continue reading Holiday day 3… The Beamish Open Air museum
Alston Holiday -Day 2 Hexham and Hadrians Wall
For day two of our holiday we visited the lively little market town of Hexham, notable for amongst other things its magnificent Abbey Cathedral. People have worshipped on this site for nearly 1400 years. On top of the moors and in my “home” county. Whitfield Church in an area known as Little Switerzland Hexham Abbey … Continue reading Alston Holiday -Day 2 Hexham and Hadrians Wall
Alston Holiday Day 1
I’m away on holiday for a few days and staying in an old farmhouse, 500 metres/ 1600 feet up in the northern Pennines, an official area of outstanding beauty towards the top of England near the border with Scotland. Going up the M6 motorway approaching the eastern fringes of The Lake District Hart… Continue reading Alston Holiday Day 1
A love-letter to Grandma
Everyone loves their Grandma don’t they? They’re possibly the most special person anyone lucky enough to ever have one has ever had, along with Granddads of course! Grandparents have all the joys of having young children but don’t have the responsibility of discipline. Today one of my Grandma’s would have been 86 years old which… Continue reading A love-letter to Grandma
Stephen Liddell 