LOST IN THE DIRECTIONS

As I've mentioned, walking here in the UK is very popular.  Folks go on walking holidays, especially here in the Lake District, also known as the Walking Capitol of the UK.  So, not being familiar with the area we rely on directions given to us either by the tourist office or in the case here in the Lake District, directions given to to us by our hosts David and Marilyn.  Now both of them are avid walkers and they are a wealth of knowledge about the area.  So we asked if they could suggest a 5 or 6 mile hike, oops, I mean walk, that we might enjoy. We soon learn that a glossary is needed to help decipher the directions.

So here's the directions to our first walk.  Walk on the track and go over the beck.  Turn right and make for for the bottom.  When you get to the second farmhouse, take the track that goes behind the barn to the trig point and keep going over the fell. You'll pass a lovely force, then climb the tor to the water.

Are you lost yet?  Well,  we were lost in the directions before we started walking.  So after learning what these terms mean, here is a glossary for future reference,  not in any particular order.

BRITISH WORD                                                          WHAT IT MEANS

Hill Climbing                                                                      Climbing big hills
Rambling                                                                           Walking
Walking                                                                             Hiking
Beck                                                                                  Stream
Bottom                                                                               Lower part of a Valley
Dell                                                                                    Valley
Glen                                                                                   Valley
Spout                                                                                 Waterfall
Force                                                                                 Waterfall
Trig Point                                                                            A concrete survey marker
Water                                                                                 Lake
Great Wood                                                                       Forest
Plantation                                                                            Forest or Tree Farm
Pike                                                                                    Sharp well defined peak or mountain
Fell                                                                                     Mountain or hill
Tor                                                                                     Hill
Pen                                                                                     Hill
How                                                                                   Hill

Naturally there might be some confusion with these terms, so in clarification a hill could be a mountain or a hill, it could be steep or not so steep, it might be tall or short but it all likely hood it is up hill from where you are standing.

HERE WE ARE ON A FELL OVERLOOKING THE DELL AND THE

WATER.  IN THE BACK GROUND YOU CAN SEE

THE PIKE IN THE CLOUDS

Beefeater Tour at the Tower of London

I was finally able to upload this video of the Beefeater Tour at the Tower of London.  2 minutes long

SCOTLAND PART TWO

We spent our last full day in Scotland in the most beautiful area in these here spots.  Taking a circular route from Fort William out to Mallaig and returning on some really narrow typical Scottish roads.. Mallaig is roads end unless you catch the ferry to Skye Island.

Or first stop was Glenfinnan where there is a monument to commemorate the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard at the beginning of the Jacobite Rebellion.

Paralleling the road for most of the way is the railroad.  Besides the normal rail traffic, once a day The Jacobite, a steam driven tourist train makes the run.  In a recurring theme all over the UK, this train was used in the filming of the Harry Potter series.  It's amazing how many people tour the UK on Harry Potter Tours.

  

Now for some photos:

A FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE

 NOW THAT'S A LIFEBOAT

 THE QUEEN AFTER A TIRING DAY

We had a great time in Scotland, ate well, skipped the Haggis, stayed in a very comfortable B&B, enjoyed the weather because it did not rain while we were out and about and we just scratched the surface.  I guess this is one more place we'll have to return to.

AYE LADDIE, IT'S SCOTLAND

As you can tell by the photo we are now in Scotland.  If you ever had difficulty understanding an Englishman when he speaks, try understanding a Scotsman.  You just about need a translator.  We arrived in the small village of Spean Bridge in the Scottish Highlands.  We are staying at Faegour House a very nice B&B run by Sadie and Roberto.  Roberto greeted us upon arrival and after showing us our large room, provided us with a welcome tea and cookies in the lounge.

The view from our bedroom and the lounge looks out towards Ben Nevis.  At 4400 feet it is the tallest mountain in United Kingdom, small by our standards, but a real challenge to climb.  First you're starting from sea level and secondly the weather is almost always bad.  We have yet to actually see the mountain as it is covered in clouds most of the time.  We opted to save the climb up for another trip.

BEN NEVIS IN THE CLOUDS

We started out as we often do in a new place by taking a hike, I mean walk.  We headed up Nevis Glen to the end of the road where we picked up the trail into Nevis Gorge.  A beautiful climb through the trees with the river crashing below in the gorge.

THAT'S SOME TOAD STOOL

The destination of the walk is Steall Falls in a very broad glen.  (Think big valley).  This whole area is a walkers heaven.  Just like the rest of the  UK there are trails everywhere.  Lots of uphill climbs here in the Highlands.  We've been taking it easy taking short, 5 miles or less walks.

WE CAME ACROSS THIS ROPE (CABLE) BRIDGE 

MUST BE USE TO GET ACROSS THE RIVER

DID WE GO ON?

Took a drive to Glencoe.  It is said that the name Glen Coe means the Glen of Weeping.  In 1692 38 MacDonalds from the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed by the guest who had accepted their hospitality, on the grounds that the MacDonalds had not been prompt in pledging allegiance to the new English monarchs, William and Mary.  Another 40 women and children died of exposure after their homes were burned.  In essence the government sanctioned the murder of these people.   A Scottish guest at our B&B made a point in telling me that it was murder by the crown.  I guess some are still upset about the incident.

On our drive we took one of those one lane Scottish roads into Glen Etive.  Very beautiful and lonely place.  We saw just a few other people exploring the area like we were.

These signs are often seen at the exit to tourist sites.  Actually I've been doing pretty good at staying to the left.  The main issue has been getting in the side of the car with the steering wheel.

We drove up to Inverness along side of Loch Ness.  Lock Ness at 37 miles in length and very deep, contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.  By connecting Lock Ness with other locks and the Caledonian Canal, one can travel by boat from the east coast of Scotland to the west coast.

INVERNESS

URQUHART CASTLE ON LOCK NESS

We have one more day in Scotland before we head south to the Lake District.  I'll post the second installment of our Scotland adventure in a day or two.  Time for Tea! 

NORTHUMBERLAND (and a few castles)

We drove about 125 miles northward arriving in Wooler our base for the next four nights.  We are in the care of Patrick and Paulette at The Old Mill B&B which by it's name you can probably tell it's an an old mill. No longer milling flour, the building has been converted into a three story home and B&B.  We are ensconced on the third floor which,due to it's age is slightly sloping to the east.  Each morning both Patrick and Paulette serve up a delicious cooked to order breakfast in the solarium.

This part of the country is very popular with walkers or hikers as we call them.  Actually walking is popular all over the UK with marked and signposted paths all over the country.  There are paths going from east to west and north to south.  

Many Englishmen take their holiday (vacation) by walking some selected path for a predetermined distance, stopping each night in a B&B, pub or hotel.  Many pubs have rooms to rent, inexpensive meals and of course beer.  We've manage to eat at several pubs which serve simple but filling fare.  After a 5 mile walk the stop at a pub is a welcome respite to quench one's thirst and fill one's stomach.

STEAK AND ALE PIE WITH PEAS AND CHIPS

Cathie and I both came prepared on this trip for taking some walks across the English countryside.  We brought with us our boots and trekking poles.  Using a very detailed guide book provided by our hosts here in Wooler, we were able to take a circular route in the Cheviot Hills.  Mostly a treeless landscape with rolling hills, one walks through farm fields and pasture lands filled mostly with sheep.  Sheep are everywhere in this part of England.

CHEVIOT HILLS

Of course this part of the country isn't just about walking,  it's also about castles and stately homes. Turn a corner and there is another castle or someones mansion.  In various states of repair from a complete pile of rocks.to fully intact lived in castle.  Your could spend days touring them as most sell admission tickets. We're being selective opting see most from the outside and saving the best for a complete tour.

LADY WATERFORD'S HOME

(of Waterford Crystal fame)

ALNWICK CASTLE

Alnwick Castle used in the filming of many of the Harry Potter films, has made it a draw for many visitors. Before Harry Potter fame the castle has been used in numerous films going back to Becket in 1964 starring Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole.  Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland and his family still live in the castle.

We took a drive out to Holy Island where the is another castle.  It was closed for the day so we had to entertain ourselves with a walk around town.  The Island is a tidal island only accessible by road at low tide.  The surrounding tidal flats are shallow and when the tide comes in it comes in fast. Before driving out to the island it is best to check the tide tables.  Many people have been caught, either stranded on the island till the outgoing tide or worse, driving across the tidal flats and being caught by the raising tide.

The little hut is for walkers who might get caught by the rising tide.  No such place to hide if you're in your car.

We continued to drive down the coast to the next castle, Bamburgh Castle and as advertised it is the king of castles.

THE LORD AND LADY RETURN

 LUNCH

JUST ANOTHER CASTLE

We've enjoyed our stay in Northumberland and had great weather to boot.  Got in some great walks, toured a huge castle, saw some great sights, too many sheep, so it is time to move on. Tomorrow we cross the border into Scotland for some more exploring and discovery.

mm