With the promise of a bath upon my return home, dad and I headed along to the River Eden this morning for a good walk and some puddle paddles.
Every time I go out now I seem to come back covered in mud and soaking wet. So, rather than shy away from the experience I now embrace the muck and like a child with new wellington boots, search out the puddles.
Heading into the open space known as Engine Lonning on the west side of Carlisle, we soon got the feeling that we were being watched.
Bert the Stormtrooper
The Force was certainly disrupted in this area as a Star Wars Stormtrooper came into view. He was painted onto a wooden notice board, all alone.
Obviously the rest of the Imperial fleet left this lonely sole behind as they scanned the earth for alien life forms.
I thought he should have a name, now that we were acquainted, and Bert seemed appropriate. Bert the Stormtrooper.
With his bright red heart he is ideally placed to offer guidance to all walkers and cyclists doing the Hadrians Wall path or the Hadrian’s cycleway (National Route 72).
Visitors can see my new friend on the wooden Engine Lonning sign just above the old Waverley Viaduct. Please stop and say hello as you go past.
Exposed history
With much of the undergrowth now composting, interesting discoveries are being exposed.
Beneath a couple of centimetres of soil, some of the former rail yard in Engine Lonning has become visible.
A concrete slab with two metal spikes can clearly now be seen. Possibly this was an old fixing plate for some wooden beams or maybe a support for a floor.
Sadly I can not really make out the full history but would love to know via the comments area below if you know?
Autumn leaves
Still clinging on to the branches are many of the leaves, brown from the Autumn die back.
Despite all of the rain, wind and cold temperatures these oak leaves just do not want to drop to the ground.
Another legacy of the autumn are these tall white grasses. They contrast brightly in the late morning sunshine against the dark trees and muddy ground.
Spring however is on it’s way as the birds are starting to sing loudly from the treetops and pockets of vegetation that line my path.
Until next time, off to get my bath now.
Licks and Wags
Charlie