Due to my hip causing a few niggles recently, we have been taking it a bit easier and revisiting a few places with soft ground and easy access.
Today it was the turn of the Lanercost area, where we have not visited for over a year.
Our walk started next to the Lanercost bridge and headed towards the fields alongside the river, at the rear of Lanercost Priory.
Charlie made straight for the water which was flowing quite fast after all the recent rain.
It was quite brown and tasted very earthy. Dad mentioned something about the water being ideal for a good Scottish Malt. Whatever that means ?
Whilst we were having a paddle, mum spotted some very delicate pale blue flowers bending in the gentle breeze.
Almost hidden in the long grass, at the edge of a rich green field, the large flower seemed quite out of scale atop a very thin stalk
She said they were Harebells and quite a special flower as they are quite fragile.
Horror movie filmset
Following the path around the field we approached Lanercost Priory from the graveyard side.
We were quite saddened to see that the older part of the graveyard was looking quite unloved.
Large ferns were growing in many areas and a pile of grass clippings had been dumped in the middle of the once tidy rows of stones.
Given that many tourists and locals visit the area it seemed quite a shame that it appeared that no one was caring for it.
Dad took a photograph and, in his mind could already see the dark, spooky horror movie image just by turning it to black and white. The black and white image above is the result of a bit of computer playing around when he came back home. We have to say that we tend to agree with it’s sinister look and feel.
This image was still with us when we came across the poor soul made of metal ‘hanging around’ near to the farm shop.
We mentioned this sculpture way back in April 2010.
Made by local artist Ian McMean it now seems to have found a permanent place guarding the entrance to Lanercost Priory.
Food at Lanercost
Given that our tummies were starting to get the rumbles, mum nipped into the food and gift shop on our way back to the car.
She emerged only a few minutes later without any bags or goodies and a big frown on her face.
It would appear that the shop is no longer stocking a wide range of eatables and, if todays visit is anything to go by, appears to be struggling to fill the shelves.
This is quite a disappointment, as we were hoping for something full of flavour and taste from a local producer for our lunch.
Let us hope that the building does not become an outlet store selling knitware and glass snow globes of the Priory.
As we headed back to the car we left Lanercost quite deflated and without anything for lunch. We did however have a good walk and a paddle.
Until next time – Big licks
Buster and Charlie