Monday 31 October 2011

Day 1 Maryport, Cockermouth


Date : Sunday 2 October 2011

Area : West Cumbria
Walk : Maryport to Cockermouth
Start At : Maryport Habour
End At : Market Place, Cockermouth
OS Sheet : OL4
Distance M/k) : 9.5 / 15.3
Ascent (ft) : 900
Descent (ft) : 800


Route
From the Harbour in Maryport head due east through the town to join the A594, just after the railway bridge turn left through the woodland and along the path beside the river. This path is marked on maps as the Allerdale Ramble, follow this route all the way to Cockermouth.

Journey

Much of the planning for this year’s walk was done by Andy, I merely gave carefully considered advice such as “if you think I going up there after a 14 mile walk your … “ and “that’s to blood far”. I think my only constructive comment was probably “how about starting from Maryport”

This year’s walk includes a day that allows us a second look at a day we found testing on last years walk, as well as a second attempt at the day we had to cancel last year due to bad weather. Check out Lakes to the right

The weather during our journey from Derby to Carlisle on Saturday’s had been stunning, wall to wall blue sky and warm sunshine. On the train from Leeds to Lancaster the solar gain was so hot that most passengers sat on north side of the carriage to avoid the heat.

Our friends Ian and Gill picked us up from Carlisle driving us west down the coast of the Solway Firth, stopping at the Highland Laddie , where we spent a few pints getting up to date and talking over old times and about our planned walk walk.

Sunday dawned damp and misty with visibility down to around 50m. As Ian and Gill drove us to Maryport via Wigton, Aspatria we were taken with the wildly beautiful and windswept West Cumbrian countryside.

On reaching Maryport we parked by the harbour, the start point for our the five day walk to Ravenglass, further down the coast. The tide was out and at 9:30 on a Sunday morning the town was quiet.



We pulled on waterproof tops, leaving over trousers off in the vain hope that “it would brighten up in a bit”. It didn’t and about a mile down the way we gave in and accepted that the combination of rain, grass and mud meant that we needed to get our over trousers on.

Following the Allerdale Ramble out of Maryport we walked along the bank of the River Ellen where we slipped and slithered up and down a muddy path as it wound its way above the river among the steadily dripping trees. However, we were very fortunate and excited to see a red squirrel. Several photos were taken, unfortunately, the one below was the best. Andy was very impressed as it was the first red squirrel he had seen.

At Dearham we bid Ian and Gill farewell as they left us to return home to watch the rugby. Thanks a million for your hospitality and friendship guys.

We pushed on through Dearham and Row Brow along tracks and across sodden fields to Tallentire, where due to having our heads down in the driving rain we missed a stile, as a result we walked to the top of the hill and then back down and having crossed the stile back up again.

At the top of the field we entered a huge field, with dozens of cows, bullocks and or heifers in it as well as young calves and one enormous Brown Bull. Most of the cows and their offspring headed away to our left as we walked downhill across the slope to our right in the direction of the gate. The Bull was uphill of us, on our right and I have to admit to being a bit concerned, I loosened the straps on my rucksack, with its red rain cover, ready to ditch it and run, all the while keeping my eye on the Bull. In the time it took us to cross the field the Bull moved exactly five paces.

From here it was along the road to Bridekirk across the A595 and through parkland to emerge in Cockermouth.

Although it will take some time for all the damage caused by the 2009 floods to be completely restored there is little obvious evidence of it now and the town looked bright and attractive, with plenty going on. At our B&B we were told that some of their repairs had only recently been done, others will have to wait for the walls to dry more..

Riverside B&B was clean, friendly, good value and well located for amenities.

We had a superb meal and had a great evening in the Castle Bar
 Riverside

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