Mike's Natural Musings

Wednesday, 14 May 2014

Cycling The C2C Day 2

Day 2
Our first big day today, riding through the Lakes. Our route continued from Cleator Moor along the beautifully surfaced old railway line to Rowrah. The line was rich with wild flowers, especially ramsons or wild garlic, which grew profusely. The other highlight of this part of the route was the very bold red squirrel we spotted at a feeding station. Encouragingly we saw signs of reds along most of our route. I was aware that the Lakes was a stronghold, but they would appear to have thriving populations in the Pennines as well. At Rowrah we rejoined the road and carried on to Kirkland where Thomas and I had turned off for Ennerdale Bridge for our first night stop at Ennerdale Youth Hostel; a beautiful spot. Our journey, though, took us along delightful country lanes on the edge of the Lakes to Loweswater and the Kirkstile Inn where we resisted the temptation to sample some of their own excellent beer and opted for tea and cake instead. By now the mountains were large on our horizon and the first major obstacle of the Whinlatter Pass loomed. We were well ready for the tea as the weather was superb and the day warming up; the Lake District scenery was at its best: magnificent mountains, delightful lakes, brilliant rhododendrons and azaleas and the bright, fresh, myriad greens of the newly opened leaves. We were soon on the lower slopes of the Whinlatter, but, apart from the initial steep slopes, it proved to be straightforward and enjoyable with yet another tea stop awaiting at the Siskin Centre cafe at the summit. Next came a roller coaster descent to Braithwaite and on into the honeypot of Keswick. Time for more refreshments before the steep climb out to Castlerigg Stone Circle. Now the Whinlatter may have been a pussy cat, but this climb, which was not mentioned anywhere, was a killer and had me off my bike 'to take some photographs'!!! The climb was worth it, though. Castlerigg must be the most atmospheric and dramatically situated of Britain's stone Circles, set as it is, high in the mountains and backed by Blencathra on one side and The Dodds, Helvellyn and St John's in the Vale on the other. It is also among the earliest of stone circles, raised in the Neolithic period about 3000 BC.
Only the last few miles now remained through the beautiful lanes of the North Lakes in the late afternoon sun to take us to our second overnight stop: The Troutbeck Inn; absolutely wonderful in all respects.
A brilliant day.

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Ramsons on the old railway line.

First sight of Loweswater.

The Kirkstile Inn.

Peter with Crummock Water in the distance.

Heading towards the Whinlatter.

Lake District Azaleas.

The River Cocker.

Peter and Brian consult the maps. This a new bridge the old
one being washed away in the floods of a few years ago.

Riding up the Whinlatter.

The Whinlatter Summit.

Skiddaw.

Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite on the descent.

Derwentwater.

Derwentwater with Skiddaw behind.

Derwentwater

Derwentwater with Cat Bells behind.

Blencathra or Saddleback.

Castlerigg Stone Circle.

Blencathra.

Looking back to the hills from near Troutbeck.

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Cycling the C2C

Along with my brother, Peter, and friend, Brian, I try to complete a couple of cycle tours each year, one often being a 'biggie'. This year it was the turn of the C2C. The Sustrans (Sustainable Transport Charity) Coast to Coast ride starts in Whiehaven in Cumbria and finishes on the sea front at Roker, Sunderland on the east coast, with an alternative finish at Tynemouth. Officially it is 134 miles but we managed 160+ and then added on another 20 to get to Newcastle station for the train journey home. Although we hoped for good weather, the important ingredient was westerly winds for the trip; in the event we were lucky with both.

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Day 1
Most of our first day was taken up with the train journey to Whitehaven. I was packed the day before and up early and panniers loaded for the ride to the station for the 7.30 train, Brian getting on a couple of stops down the line and Peter getting a lift to Whitehaven from a very accommodating wife. The journey went well and the weather gradually changed from gloom to bright sunshine. I love train journeys and this one gave spectacular views of some of England's finest countryside. Arriving on time and joined by Peter, we were soon searching for the official start, a modern stainless steel sculpture on Whitehaven harbour side. Obligatory start photos taken, it was time to head out of town to St Bees. The official route avoids this section (some of our extra miles), but we had plenty of time and I wanted to visit the start of the off-road version to Robin Hoods Bay, a ride I had done with my son on mountain bikes a few years ago. We spent a very pleasant hour here in the sun and enjoyed tea and cake before tackling the short ride to Cleator for our first overnight stop; the hotel being an old school.

The gear laid out ready to pack.

Ready for the off.

All together at Whithaven Station in the sun.

Ready, steady.....

St Bees.

St Bees Priory Church.

On the old railway.

Our first night's stop, Cleator, with the hills of the Lakes behind.

First night's hotel, the old school.

Saturday, 10 May 2014

Two Wonderful Days in Whitby.

A couple of times a year we plan a 'Whitby Trip' with friends Heather and Brian. This time, being keen YHA people, we decided to book into the youth hostel to avoid the drive home after a wonderful but long day and also to enjoy the sauvignon blanc with the Magpie fish and chips. On the Friday, Brian and Heather gathered up, we launched off over the Humber Bridge heading for Yorkshire. Although retired for some years now it still provides an illicit frisson of pleasure to be out playing on a work day. The first port of call was Sledmere House for coffee, which is always good, but, which also, is often closed. Today was no exception so we continued to our first reserve near the top of Staxton Hill, which never disappoints. Coffee and caked dispatched we continued on to Boggle Hole close to Robin Hoods Bay. Unfortunately the tide was fully up so we had to walk along the cliff top path to Bay Town itself. Not too much of a hardship with the views on offer and early purple orchids to photograph. Although the weather forecast was suspect we were lucky both days and enjoyed excellent light, the only rain being when we were in the car. After the usual mooch round the village with cup of tea, we were able to walk back to Boggle Hole on the beach, although a paddle was required at the end as the tide was still fairly well in.
Time to drive to the hostel up by the magnificent abbey and St Mary's church perched on the cliff top. We were soon settled into excellent en-suite rooms and heading down for a 'swift half' in The Duke of York at the foot of the famous 199 steps leading down from the abbey. Somewhat refreshed we then wandered round to The Magpie for our evening meal. The Magpie does a full menu, specialising in fish and sea food, but, for me, it has to be haddock, chips and peas (fried in delicious batter if you are reading this and not English!!). As usual the meal was outstanding and only needed the ritual walk along the pier to walk off the meal and then the climb back up the abbey steps, never as easy as on the way down!!
After a comfortable night and excellent breakfast it was time for the shops for some and photography for me followed by coffee and then a potter on the beach at Sandsend; always a good spot for sea glass and photography. Our excellent couple of days break finished with a visit to Pickering before the drive home.

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