THE GARDEN OF EDEN......

.....Well the River Eden at Kirkby Stephen.

Back-blipped - Photo taken on 27th, entered on 28th.



Many apologies for back-blipping, but had a very full day yesterday.

It was actually a very lovely day out with Mum.  Picked Mum up about 11.00 am (late for me).  On the way I noticed an awful lot of people around, not surprising really as the weather was so gorgeous.  I therefore changed plans and decided it was best to avoid The Lakes (I was going to go to Ullswater).

I also noticed (on the A6) a rather busy car boot sale going on, no social distancing!! I'm surprised that people want to attend these at this time, after all I wouldn't be wanting to handle anything from someone's boot!!??

Anyway I headed for Sedbergh, hoping to fill up with Petrol at the garage just outside.  However the garage appeared to be opened but the shop was shut up and there was a sign asking no-one to serve themselves at the moment, fair enough - but no-one appeared so I had to drive on.

I then just drove up the A683 to Kirkby Stephen.  Past Cautley Spout.  I last went this way on my own back in July (A683 Photo Trip).

It was just as quiet today, I noticed a few walkers up by the Spout and a few parked up on the laybys but lovely and quiet.  Getting a bit desperate for petrol now, only a quarter of a tank left.  So went on into Kirkby itself.  

Yeah found a petrol station, which was really well geared up for covid safety, really good, especially as it was such a tiny petrol station.

We then decided to stop for a spot of light lunch and coffee.  There were a few people around but not too crowded.

We called in at  The Mulberry Bush (better than Costa's we thought 'cos there coffee sizes are way too big, even the small ones).  It was the best placed geared up for covid that I have across.  We were welcome at the door, everyone had masks, those waiting to come were observing social distancing and the young lady fully explained to us what we had to do.

Coffee was nice, toasted sandwich good (although their attempt at a salad garnish and the doritos were a bit poor);  Still the sandwich itself was lovely with really nice bread.  

On using the facilities it was clearly labeled up no queueing, one in one out for both ladies and gents (or Ewes and Rams in there!).  Besides having hand sanitisers outside the facilities they also had them in there BUT what impressed me was there was a huge sort of bucket with antibacterial wipes and a sign saying that they clean regularly but at busy times may not be able to clean after each visitor so we could all help by using the wipes on anything we had touched.  I thought this was brilliant and I don't know whether everyone using the facilities did so but we both certainly did, I thought it was a great idea.

Helping Mum down the steps on the way out, a couple of young men very carefully and pleasantly stepped back to wait for us and said to take our time.  

It was like that whenever we came across anyone in Kirkby. 

We just went down to the river for a short walk (Mum can't do too much).  Even there the single track bridge had signs up asking people to wait until bridge was empty and everyone did.

We then just went back to the car and drove home.  Therein lies another adventure!!!!

I totally forgot about the road works on the A590 between the M6 and our turn off and went down it.  No problem really, until I realised that my turn off closed off!!!  Eeeek what to do now!!!

I saw a sign for Brigsteer so headed for that, up very narrow roads with grass growing in the middle eeeeekkkk!!!  Anyway no problem, we went past Helsington Church Viewpoint, which looked busy so we didn't stop.  I found Brigsteer OK, but then got lost!!!! We ended up doing a very up and down round and round trip visiting places like Crosthwaite (where I waved to friends Eric and Lynn, I didn't see them just thought I'd wave as I passed through). 

Eventually I came out onto the A5074 - yeah I knew where I was now. 

Eventually made it home at about 3.30.  Mum stayed for a roast dinner, beautifully cooked by Hubby before I took her home.  It was pretty dark on the way home but the end to a lovely day.