Aparently weasels are quite rarely seen so it was a privilige to see one flushed out by a stalking moggy from some bushes adjacent to a warehouse just as a friendly local put us back on the correct track.
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
A Weasel in Consett
Aparently weasels are quite rarely seen so it was a privilige to see one flushed out by a stalking moggy from some bushes adjacent to a warehouse just as a friendly local put us back on the correct track.
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Wildlife Along the Way 2
Just to the east of Keswick, as we followed a disused railway line along the fast flowing River Greta the other Mr H and I spent a few minutes watching a dipper doing its thang...
Wildlife Along the Way 1 - Kingfisher!
Obviously it was impossible to capture images of all of the actual animals and birds we saw along the way, but below left is an image I found on the internet that comes closest to showing the startling, iridescent beauty of what many people would argue to be Britain's most splendid bird. Barely out of Whitehaven, riding over a little stream, a commotion, and I saw a water rail (top) run out from under the bridge- then that amazing shimmering blue flash as a kingfisher flew directly up the stream. Excellent!
Thursday, 25 October 2007
We're back!
A touch late thanks to a missed train in Birmingham (actually largely down to a sadistic and somewhat sour platform official) - but home again at last.
Homeward bound
The adventure over. We pull out of Newcastle train station, past the Tyne and on towards London.
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
The final reckoning
One hundred and fifty one point seven five miles. And my knees feel every one of 'em.
JOB DONE!
An unceremonial refuelling at Burger King and on to the train station. You can just about make out the sign saying Sunderland. Onward to Newcastle.
Puncture number six
Mark enters the running. May be a shade late to catch up as we pass Chester le Street.
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
Them there hills
Duncan points out the Pennines - the backbone of England. Unfortunately for our thighs, that's where we're going.
Puncture three
In the cold light of morning, Duncan inspects Amanda's puncture. It happened at a very inopportune moment last night. But today is another day and the weather looks great!
Monday, 22 October 2007
Very welcome refuelling
Whinlatter visitor centre provides what seems like the food of the gods. Next up - the mother of all downhills through beautiful forest track.
You were only meant to dip the wheels in!
Amanda loses it as Ian falls into the Irish Sea. In this picture he's just climbed back out - soaked from the waist down.
Egg, egg, egg and egg.
Major fuelling before setting out - full English, Cumbrian style. I don't believe I have ever worn as much man made fibre at one time. One stray spark, and half of Cumbria will go up. -- Mr Harragan
Sunday, 21 October 2007
The Waverley Hotel
After nearly 11 hours since we pulled out of Euston, we finally arrive at our hotel in Whitehaven. Time to rest up - looks worryingly hilly round here!
First puncture!
Mr Wicksey breaks the world record for first puncture on a stationary bike. That large metal thing behind his bike is the train he just got off. Good start.
Hogwarts Express
Not such a good photo but that train there through the window is the actual Hogwarts Express! It says so on the carriages. Not actually at platform thirteen and three quarters, King's Cross - but at Crewe in Cheshire.
I've just heard that the Hogwarts Express leaves from platform nine and three quarters and not thirteen and three quarters. Sorry, Potter fans.
Quiet zone
So far so good. No problems getting on the train thanks to a very helpful guard. Nearly got nutted by a Glaswegian family whose seats we appear to have inadvertently occupied. Too bad the seat reservation computer isn't working.
Refreshed, relaxed, bricking it
Euston Station. Star date 2007. Branson - take us there and don't spare the pendolino.
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