Guest Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 (edited) the day was a wash out, I met up with Techno at Devils, had a brew, then went to Meet Dragolith... waited at the meet point, but one problem, i had left phone at home.. so we waited a short while, and knowing Dave, we both agreed he wouldn't be out to play as it was raining.. so we headed for Shap and meet point 2... well the pub was shut as it was 1130.. so we waited around, the sun had come out and we had our first myth.. a rainbow...so we waited for Wiggleit, and without comms, decided after a while that the weather must have put her off too..of we headed for Shap abbey..as it was wet and windy we took a photo and headed for the next location.. lowther estate.. and lowther castle..then off to the round table.. at this point, things were getting worse with teh weather, so we decided it might be a better option to save this for a brighter day, and more riders, so we headed for kendal, the wind and rain had picked up and on the tops the wind carried both of us out of our lanes into the oncoming (empty) lanes, so we were both happy with our decision to head for home.. Kendal and we stopped for fuel, then went our seperate ways... heres some pictures and information.. i have pictures of what would have been the full tour and information on the sites, if anyone wants a full idea of the what was supposed to be visited.. hopefully we can resurrect this in the new year, with brighter weather...Devils bridge and the start of the adventure.....http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/simonevans73/PIC01291.jpga glimmer of hope for some sunshine...http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/simonevans73/PIC01295.jpgShap Abbeyhttp://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/simonevans73/PIC01296.jpgShap Abbey, Shap Abbey stands in a picturesque setting by the River Lowther, with nothing nearby to interrupt the beauty of the lonely and unfrequented site. It is about half a mile west of Shap. It was built in 1199, the last Abbey to be founded in England, and the last to be dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. It was founded by the Premonstratensian order, also known as the White Canons from the colour of their habits. Most of the buildings are 13th Century in origin, though the striking west tower is early 16th Century. The church, chapter house, dormitories, and cloisters are all much ruined. Stone was taken at the end of the 17th Century to build Shap Market Hall. Much of the carved stonework was also removed and used in the building of Lowther Castle. A short path leads over fields to the small 16th Century Keld Chapel, now in the care of the National TrustLowther Castle.http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/simonevans73/PIC01298.jpgLowther Castle, Lowther Castle has been the family seat of the Earls of Lonsdale from time immemorial, and occupies the site of mansions dating back to the reign of Edward I. The present building was started in 1806, for Sir Hugh Lowther the fifth Earl, to designs by Sir Robert Smirke. Lowther Castle was his first job when he was just 25. It was commissioned to be a design of elegance and strength. The castle was well known for its wide range of activities and entertainment of distinguished guests. Unfortunately the castle's grand proportions were too extravagant for the 20th Century. After the death of the fifth Earl of Lonsdale, the Castle was abandonded, the interior was dismantled and only the walls left standing as a memorial to past glories. Within the estate (NY 527243) is 'The Lowther Oak', a fine gnarled old tree. According to ancient folklore, the Lowther Oak is responsible for the good fortune of the Lonsdales. Bad luck will be bestowed on the family if the branch of the oak touches the ground. The branch is propped up to prevent this! A public road passes through the estate from Askham to Lowther Newtown, passing St Michael's Church which is opposite the front of the Castle. Inside the Church are various memorials to members of the Lowther family. Sir Robert Smirke also designed St Peter's Church in nearby AskhamArthurs Round Table..http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/simonevans73/PIC01300.jpghttp://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/simonevans73/PIC01301.jpgKing Arthur’s Round Table is situated at Eamont Bridge, a short distance outside of Penrith, and represents one of the most impressive Neolithic earthwork henges in the country. It is thought to date from around 2000 BC and it is claimed that it formed later the main jousting area for the court of King Arthur. English Heritage manage the property and have established a series of information points at the site where you can learn more about the fascinating history. Edited October 25, 2009 by Anonymous Quote
blakeatron Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 Sorry lads - but kind of glad I didnt make it in the end if the weather was that bad!Actually quite happy though as I really wanted to do it and so can next year Dave text me this morning saying the weather was crap - I looked out the window to blue skies and sunshine - text him back and he repplied. Just as his message landed the skies turned grey almost instantly and it pissed it down! Quote
Guest Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 Looks like an awesome ride if you've got the weather on your side, not so awesome on a day like today though. I got up, son's rugby game was off and the sky was blue(ish), started getting my kit together and it poured down so I lay on the sofa all day and cracked open my first beer at 1pm Quote
Guest Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 George & Dragon Pub, Shap, There are intriguing aspects to this pub beside the A6 in the village of Clifton, between Penrith and Shap. A dozen Highlanders are buried outside it, beneath what is known as the Rebel Tree. They fell at the battle of Clifton Moor, the last battle to be fought on English soil, when Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite rebels engaged in bloody combat with the Duke of Cumberland's forces in 1745. Then there is its location, close to the M6 (visible from the windows), in one of the least touristy areas of Cumbria. (In January, "least touristy" translates as "where on earth is everybody?") Should you venture into the snowy landscape, a domain drained of colour and criss-crossed with brownish black hedges and walls like roughly etched pencil lines, you will, give or take a fell pony or two, get it all to yourselfHutton in the Forest..The historic home of Lord & Lady Inglewood, Hutton-in-the-Forest is a beautiful house of the north eastern edge of the Lake District. It is surrounded by magnificent woodland of the medieval forest of Inglewood. Legend has it that it is the Green Knight's castle in the Arthurian tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Originally a medieval stronghold with a pele tower, succeeding generations have altered and added to the house, and the outside and inside show a wide variety of architectural and decorative styles from the 17th century to the present dayGreystoke castleThe history of Greystoke Castle begins in the 12th Centrury when Ivo, grandson of local Saxon chieftain Llyulph, created the first stone structure on the site of the present castle in 1129. This building grew to become one of the border chain of fortifications, creating the huge Pele Tower, which in 1338 William de Greystoke obtained Royal Licence to castellate. In the mid 1500's, Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshall of England acquired the castle by marriage to the widow of Lord Dacre from Naworth Castle near Brampton; as both catholics and Royalists the Howards gained the attention of Oliver Cromwell who with his army of the North visited the area and laid waste to the castle. After lying derelict for the better part of a generation, the castle was re-built to a design by Anthony Salvin between 1838 and 1848, and the Estates were developed by Charles Howard, the 10th Duke, into a strikingly modern farm. In 1868 tragedy struck and the house caught fire and many treasures and works of art were lost. However, the castle was rebuilt, again by Salvin, this time using only materials and craftsmen from the estate. The Great Hall is furnished with a remarkable Minstrels' Gallery and a magnificent fireplace. During the second world war the castle and estate were requisitioned by the army as a tank drivers' training area and it was not until 1950 that Stafford Howard inherited the estate. He began further period of restoration which continues today with his son, Neville. The castle is not open to the public, but is now a venue for corporate hospitality, outdoor management training, and is licensed for civil weddings. The Castle stands in about 6000 acres, which is said to be the largest enclosure in England without a road or right-of-way running through it. To the East of the village of Greystoke are three well known folly farmholds built about 1789 by Charles Howard (the 11th Duke of Norfolk) (1746-1815) of Greystoke Castle: • Fort Putnam is really a screen round a farmhouse, with battlements, a turret and a large church window, and with details similar to those of the tower at the castle • Bunker's Hill has a three sided screen with a broad polygonal tower. • Spire House has a polygonal tower carrying a recessed spireCastlerigg Stone Circle..There are 38 stones in a circle approximately 30 metres in diameter. Within the ring is a rectangle of a further 10 standing stones. The tallest stone is 2.3 metres high. It was probably built around 3000 BC - the beginning of the later Neolithic Period - and is one of the earliest stone circles in Britain. It is important in terms of megalithic astronomy and geometry, as the construction contains significant astronomical alignments. Although its origins are unknown it is believed that it was used for ceremonial or religious purposes.Bridge HouseBridge House is possibly the most photographed building in the Lake District, and a popular subject for many artists including Turner. A tiny building, originally an apple store for nearby Ambleside Hall, was built over Stock Beck to escape land tax. Once five mills were driven by the power of Stock Beck and some may still be seen nearby. It is said that at some time a family with six children lived here in the two rooms Quote
awwwnuts Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 Bloody hell do you work for the tourist board....good write up though , Shame about the weather. Quote
Guest Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 Bloody hell do you work for the tourist board....good write up though , Shame about the weather.No.. Lol, but i do like to get out and know more about the area I live, and one of the aims of a post such as this, is that if any of you consider a bike holiday in Cumbria, then these are some of the sights that are around..I would love someone to do something similar, with their area, so that next time i decided on a bike run i can see whats about, makes life simpler... (you should see my pictures from a 4 month tour in Italy......I think i kept Kodak in business) Quote
dambug Posted October 26, 2009 Posted October 26, 2009 With the right weather this will be a great rideout,I couldn't make it yesterday cos I had to go to Lancaster and Buy a new bike Great write up, hope I can join up with you if you decide to give it another go.... Quote
Guest Posted October 29, 2009 Posted October 29, 2009 Great fotos mate and brings back memories of when i did the Coast To Coast walk in 2004..it rained then when we arrived in Shap.. Quote
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