Cargo, situated to the north west of the City of Carlisle, is the latest place to be marked on my list of expedition destinations.
Situated just off the new Carlisle bypass the once small village has seen quite a bit of investment and growth over recent years.
My adventure earlier this week started with an inspection of the new paths linking the new road to the existing city infrastructure.
New path, lost hedgerow
You may remember that I have mentioned this dangerous situation in previous posts. Well, it appears that something is being done to remove the walk along the road edge to get to and from the new transport route.
One downside to the new path is that hundreds of metres of old established hedgerows have been ripped up, and just before nesting season.
I do hope that they will be replaced in time for the birds next year. I would feel really bad if a wire fence is the official replacement for the lost habitat.
Although open to walk on, the paths still need to be topped with Tarmac and completed. I wonder if any dustbins and seats will be installed as part of the works?
Leaving the City behind dad and I walked across the River Eden Bridge, which curiously has not yet been given a name, and turned right onto a path towards Home Lane.
New adventure
It is here where my new adventure really begins and my nose starts to fill with new sniffs.
The farm path, marked with official yellow arrow markers and wooden path signs, headed under the new bridge and followed the River Eden downstream.
Being a farm track it was a bit soggy at times and due to regular use by tractors, quite muddy in places. Dad was really glad he had put on his proper walking boots and not just used his town shoes.
Weaving between puddles and across the path we both managed to avoid the worst of the mud but at times we just had to go for it and look forward to a good telling off from mum upon our return.
It is always interesting what you spot on adventures. High above us, and thankfully still connected to the metal pylon, some electric cables looked under tension. The glass insulators that hold the cables were not hanging vertical as expected.
Pulled off to one side it was not clear what was at fault. Maybe the cables had shifted after recent strong winds. Lets hope that engineers are able to get the cables fixed before the next storms are due.
Into the countryside
Sandwiched with the bypass to our right and the River Eden to our left, the path wended it’s way in a rough northerly direction until abruptly ending in a grassy field.
Yipee I was in the big outdoors and onto green lush grass. Ahead a yellow marker nailed to a wooden post indicated a bit of an uphill walk and a wooden stile.
This type of gate is a bit of a pain as it means I have to be lifted over the fence by hand. Dad has however managed to find a quick and easy way of securing me whilst he undertakes this operation.
Clipped to the handle of my lead at all times is a low cost climbers carabina.
This simple latching device allows my lead to be easily clipped against itself and around any post avoiding messy knots and hassle.
It is great in the wet and cold as it can be used even with gloves.
Once clipped off, dad has both hands free to lift me up and over the stile but he often gets very muddy from my paws and tummy in the process.
The carabina is also ideal for tying my lead to lampposts and fences without any damage.
River Eden
Three or four fields later and dad suitably battle scared with mud, we exited onto a slight slope with a narrow bridge ahead.
Here I had my first opportunity for a well deserved paddle in the River Eden. I also had chance to wash off some of the mud gathered after our tramp over the fields.
Whilst I bathed dad took stock of our surroundings and tried to work out where we were.
Now at river level we could clearly see how the water had scared the embankments during the winter.
Banked up against posts and fences debris created a tide line making the high water mark.
It was amazing to see the amount of rubbish that littered the grass. Hundreds of plastic bottles, numerous empty cans and the occasional bottle lay washed up in the late morning sunshine.
Just beyond the bridge the path became too muddy and turning to our right we climbed the hill emerging into Cargo Village.
Soggy, tired and in need of some lunch dad and I returned homeward along the main road thanks to a lift from Mum in the car.
Until next time
Licks and wags
Charlie