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Goodbye to Mull
Jun. 8th, 2019 12:07 amSitting on the observation deck of the ferry back to Oban on the 6th, we could look at the island recede into the distance. It was not a very good weather day, but the clouds almost added to the ethereal nature of the scene. Until the rain cloud we could see to the south came closer and closer until we had to retreat indoors.
https://www.facebook.com/mark.kuramotoheadey/media_set?set=a.10213307750906375&type=3&uploaded=9
My idea was to drive to Kendal via a slightly longer route that would allow us a visit to the Falkirk Wheel. Unfortunately, we drove too far (Junko’s fault) then missed a signed turning (my fault) and ended up heading towards Edinburgh on the motorway before we were able to leave and retrace our steps. The consequence of this was that, although we did we the wheel, which is as impressive as they say, we could not stay long enough to see it actually working. We had a dinner date with an old primary school friend who lives near Kendal and I had to drive rather quicker than I’m usually comfortable with to arrive in time. Well, almost in time. I had thought of just going to my friend’s house and phoning the B&B. However, Junko argued that they may need to give us a key to get in and that they could be in bed when we returned. So, we did just that. However, driving to the house along Cumbria’s windy back roads, we managed to lose our way. Fortunately, one quick phone call put us right and we were only 10 minutes behind schedule.
On the drive down I hit something on the motorway I had thought would be a piece of cardboard. The thud as it hit the front tyre and then the underside of the car was worrying indeed. The culprit was parked just 100m away; a truck with a completely shredded rear tyre. We were very lucky the piece we hit was as small as it was, but it was frightening for all that.
My friends, John & Jo, live in a lovely house overlooking the (river) Kent valley and, that evening, it was clear right out into Morecambe bay. However, when Storm Desmond hit a few years ago, the whole valley was under water for days. The other consequence of the location is that there is nothing to protect them from SW winds and more than one visitor has commented on the fact. However, on the day of our visit, the weather could not have been more beautiful and we sat in their dining room, partaking in a fine meal of chicken with fennel and lemon cooked to perfection by my old chum while looking out on the glorious view across the fields lit by the evening sunshine. Despite the fact we’d not met for 20 years and about another 20 before that, the conversation flowed and we probably overstayed our welcome. But a lovely evening notwithstanding.
Our B&B is also located out in the countryside of the Lakes and boasts a lounge with a similarly gorgeous view over the fields and hills. It also boasts a breakfast large enough to have seen me out virtually the whole day. In fact, the only reason I ate anything this evening was that it was there. The remnants of a loaf and some cheese that really did need eating up.
Today, Friday, I drove up to Camerton, which is about as far from out B&B as it is possible to get in the Lakes. Camerton lies on the banks of the River Derwent. Back in 2009, when I was working at the EA, the Derwent had flooded and I had been involved in the post-flood report, calculating the flow of the river. It was a fascinating exercise, in that the flow had been unprecedented (the 1 in 100 flow had been estimated at 300m3/second whereas I calculated 700m3/s in that event). However, until today, I’d not actually seen the location personally. So, we spent a day wandering the fields and church yard that I so well remember from maps and videos at the time. But it did rain again.
https://www.facebook.com/mark.kuramotoheadey/media_set?set=a.10213307750906375&type=3&uploaded=9
My idea was to drive to Kendal via a slightly longer route that would allow us a visit to the Falkirk Wheel. Unfortunately, we drove too far (Junko’s fault) then missed a signed turning (my fault) and ended up heading towards Edinburgh on the motorway before we were able to leave and retrace our steps. The consequence of this was that, although we did we the wheel, which is as impressive as they say, we could not stay long enough to see it actually working. We had a dinner date with an old primary school friend who lives near Kendal and I had to drive rather quicker than I’m usually comfortable with to arrive in time. Well, almost in time. I had thought of just going to my friend’s house and phoning the B&B. However, Junko argued that they may need to give us a key to get in and that they could be in bed when we returned. So, we did just that. However, driving to the house along Cumbria’s windy back roads, we managed to lose our way. Fortunately, one quick phone call put us right and we were only 10 minutes behind schedule.
On the drive down I hit something on the motorway I had thought would be a piece of cardboard. The thud as it hit the front tyre and then the underside of the car was worrying indeed. The culprit was parked just 100m away; a truck with a completely shredded rear tyre. We were very lucky the piece we hit was as small as it was, but it was frightening for all that.
My friends, John & Jo, live in a lovely house overlooking the (river) Kent valley and, that evening, it was clear right out into Morecambe bay. However, when Storm Desmond hit a few years ago, the whole valley was under water for days. The other consequence of the location is that there is nothing to protect them from SW winds and more than one visitor has commented on the fact. However, on the day of our visit, the weather could not have been more beautiful and we sat in their dining room, partaking in a fine meal of chicken with fennel and lemon cooked to perfection by my old chum while looking out on the glorious view across the fields lit by the evening sunshine. Despite the fact we’d not met for 20 years and about another 20 before that, the conversation flowed and we probably overstayed our welcome. But a lovely evening notwithstanding.
Our B&B is also located out in the countryside of the Lakes and boasts a lounge with a similarly gorgeous view over the fields and hills. It also boasts a breakfast large enough to have seen me out virtually the whole day. In fact, the only reason I ate anything this evening was that it was there. The remnants of a loaf and some cheese that really did need eating up.
Today, Friday, I drove up to Camerton, which is about as far from out B&B as it is possible to get in the Lakes. Camerton lies on the banks of the River Derwent. Back in 2009, when I was working at the EA, the Derwent had flooded and I had been involved in the post-flood report, calculating the flow of the river. It was a fascinating exercise, in that the flow had been unprecedented (the 1 in 100 flow had been estimated at 300m3/second whereas I calculated 700m3/s in that event). However, until today, I’d not actually seen the location personally. So, we spent a day wandering the fields and church yard that I so well remember from maps and videos at the time. But it did rain again.
