Monday 6 February 2012

The Lake District...................................................................Easter 2011

I have just had a nightmare of a journey home from work in thick fog... I can't believe the speeds some people drive when the conditions are bad.

I am still sorting through  my old images and was looking through my visit to the Lake District during my Easter break last spring.
I have so many I haven't shared... so I will share more from time with a little snippet of info.

The view towards Bassenthwaite Lake from the Whinlatter Pass above Braithwaite.
The mountain to the right is Skiddaw and at 3053ft is the fourth highest peak in Lakeland.

Sitting alongside Bassenthwaite on the old Keswick to Cockermouth road is the lovely little fell Barf.
Barf is only1536ft high but from this side it's a steep climb.
Can you see the white rock in the centre... this is the Bishop Of Barf and can be seen from miles away.

The Bishop of Barf... explained.

On a rocky site at 700 ft and clearly visible from the Cockermouth to Keswick road, is the "Bishop of Barf", a white painted stone marking the spot where, according to local legend, the Bishop of  Derry was killed falling from his horse in 1783, after drunkenly betting he could ride up the hill. Both the Bishop and his horse are said to be buried near a smaller stone, the Clerk, at the base of the hill. The stone was whitewashed each year by staff at the nearby Swan Hotel, until the Hotel was converted to apartments. The whitewashing is now carried out by members of Keswick Mountain Rescue.

Back in Keswick here is another view of Skiddaw from Fitz Park which in 2001 was voted the Loveliest Cricket Ground in England.
I hope to keep these posts quite short... then I start writing.

23 comments:

Bob Bushell said...

The Lake district is a beautiful place, thanks for letting us see them.

Horst in Edmonton said...

Great photos and commentary, Andrew.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your picturesque countryside... very beautiful!

Carolina said...

Beautiful place, I want walking around there.
Hugs.

TexWisGirl said...

this time it worked 'clean'. maybe it's just a hit and miss bug attachment! yikes! sorry to trouble you!

Shaun said...

Fab photos Andrew, i think im due a break in the lakes soon. Lets hope my photos come out half as good as this.
Thanks for sharing.
Shaun

Pantherka said...

Beautiful place with great commentary.

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

Beautiful country. I enjoy your bits of history too.

Laura~Pretty Pix said...

Great images, Andrew. Love the Bishop of Barf!

Carole M. said...

picturesque; love the last photograph. Interesting that they continue to paint the rock like they do; has become the tradition it seems... Good that you have some archivals to work with in the dreary no-photographs days

Susan Scheid said...

I loved our trip long ago to the Lake District. It was where I was first introduced to old girls hiking with aplomb in street clothes and "sensible shoes."

Sondra said...

WOW the landscape is stunning, I can see why you wanted to travel there and the story of the Bishop was quite interesting tho sad that he killed the HORSE too!!

Gillian Olson said...

Thanks for the Lake District photos, all lovely!

ADRIAN said...

Grand images and no people in sight.

Brian King said...

Just love that scenery! Incredible views! Where does the "barf" part come in? Being drunk, maybe?

John said...

Lovely scenery Andrew! Makes me wish for the start of Spring!
As for the idiots still driving as if it were bright,clear and dry conditions, I have had my fair share of them just lately!
J
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

nouvelles couleurs - vienna atelier said...

beautifull place and sunny, very nice capture

J said...

Great shots of that lovely area, Andrew. I really must get round to visiting one day! As a cricket fan, I like the thought of seeing England's loveliest ground!

MadSnapper said...

no one in their right mind would try to ride a horse up that hill. i like the last one with the beautiful green grass

Fábio Martins said...

So wonderful pictures! Great shots

Kathie Brown said...

What lovely pictures of such a lovely place and I like the stories! for those of us who do not live over there, how would we know about such things if you did not explain them! Keep up the good work!

Oakland Daily Photo said...

You're a one man tourist bureau. Who wouldn't love to ramble here? Unfortunate name for the fell but interesting story.

Unknown said...

Love the top shot! What gorgeous scenery.