Beetham Hall

It might seem an odd matter to have strong feelings about, but I really don't like the tip in Kendal. As lunchtime approached, today, I mentioned this to my colleagues, in the context of the fact that I was considering driving down to Carnforth to use the tip there instead. I was reassured to find that they promptly offered their wholehearted agreement and support.

Thus, I set off, opting to take the M6 there, and then to treat myself to a journey up the A6 on the way back. Well, chums, disappointment awaited: Carnforth tip's charms were somewhat undermined by that fact that it was closed.

Still, it was a lovely day and the unfortunate turn of events was entirely mitigated by the journey back to the office. I pulled over just south of Beetham to take this photo of the Hall. Matthew Pemmott's dated but interesting website tells us that "the remains of this magnificent medieval hall are still incredibly numerous, with a tower, chapel, hall and out buildings surviving from the 13th century, mixed in with later buildings and barns."

Twenty odd years ago, when I rented a house nearby, two of my local friends told me that a well had recently been discovered in the grounds of the hall, and that the brickwork had spiralled as the earth had moved around it. I've not really thought about it since but can the land really be that fluid? Or was the well perhaps built that way?