That’s where I ended up, so from one of the more southernly points in England to one of the most northernly. Gillian was off to London Saturday AM to sing with a group in Royal Albert Hall so offered me a lift to the rail station in Dorchester. The train was about 3 hours to London so my slog to the north seemed daunting. Once in London I hopped the Tube to Euston and there got a train to Carlisle which also took a little over 3 hours but at speeds reaching 125mph the nearly 275 mile flew by. While awaiting my train I booked a room in the Arkale Lodge about 1/2 a mile from where I’d debark. Being a warm English Saturday night the hens were out in their best plumage. I must doff my cap to some of these strong ladies who can gussy themselves up to what they feel is their finest look and proudly march out the door without giving a mirror the slightest glance. Well, done, ladies. (no photos without permission)
The pub “Woodrow Wilson” drew me in for 3 reasons: Why WW? His mother was born here, it was a Wetherspoons which owns over 900 locations so I knew the food would be consistent and fairly priced (burger,chips (fries for the Yanks) and pint of good ale $7.50 and no music but lots of good folks having a nice night out. The other party pubs in the area played their music loud enough so WW didn’t need any. Apparently the Botchergate Road is closed off on Friday/Saturday nights making the whole area party central not that that means much when you’re twice the age of the clientele.
Patrick, owner of the the Arkale, served me the best English breakfast I’ve ever had with a bottomless cup of the best coffee I’ve ever had anywhere. I’ll not need to eat until tomorrow’s!
That’s a bit of Irish pudding sitting on the black pudding.
A Museum or two, a castle and a cathedral. These are found in almost all self respecting British cities and Carlisle has them too.
I began Sunday at Carlisle Castle originally begun by William II in 1093 from wood and Henry I began the stone keep, which is still standing, and walls in 1122. The castle site was once connected to Hadrian’s wall.
Within the walls of the cable sits the Cumbria Museum of Military life with all the usual stuff.
I’ve never seen a pistol with bayonet before and the projectile fired from the rifle above was enormous
Attached to the rifle is a barbed wire cutter and there is a convenient folding saw.
As I left to cross to the Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery I saw this very thoughtful picnic table.
People in wheelchairs like to picnic too
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