Brief Encounters

Our day of Brief Encounters starts with breakfast at  the Refreshment Rooms of Carnforth Station - location of David Lean’s 1945 film. It’s an old favourite of mine - memories of Sunday afternoon monochrome movies with the exquisite score of Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto. And the fact that this is all linked to railway nostalgia means it’s a real highlight for G too. 

Until yesterday, we’d never even heard of Walney Island, linked by road to Barrow in Furness, but we decide it’s a good destination in view of today’s weather forecast and its scenic offerings. Sure enough, as we head down the peninsular the sky lightens and from the coastal route we look out onto glorious salt-marsh and sea-scape glistening in the sun. 

We head across the pancake-flat island for the South Walney Nature Reserve, with brief encounters with flooded roads and groups of horses. The sun may be shining, but the wind is brisk and biting - invigorating as we set off on the trail towards the sea. Birds are few and far between, the wind seemingly too strong for all but a few brave gulls to negotiate. We do, however, have brief sightings of a pair of red breasted mergansers who sadly seem to take wing the moment they spot my camera! 

We pass the lighthouse, gleaming white in the sunlight, and reach the furthest hide to watch distant seals hauled out on the beach, before turning back along the land-facing coast. Across the marshes, Piel castle comes into sight. On Piel Island and accessible only via a small boat ferry, this 14th century fortress was built by the Abbot of Furness to guard Barrow-in-Furness against pirates and Scots raiders. Lambert Simnel, pretender to Henry VII's throne, apparently landed here in 1487. The massive keep, inner and outer baileys and the towered curtain walls are still standing - an impressive sight even from this distance. 

By the time we reach the shingle banks, the weather has changed and dark storm clouds have built up to the north, providing an ominous backdrop to the castle’s faded majesty. We watch as the light comes and goes, highlighting the ancient building in brilliant light, or plunging it into gloom. At one point we even have a brief encounter with a rainbow. Illuminated too is the Isle of Roa and its Island lifeboat station.

By now, the clouds have also gathered to the south, and we battle our way back to the car through squally showers. Cold and damp - and in my case very tired - we begin our journey back, treated by a final brief encounter with a beautiful barn owl flying overhead. 

I know today’s main will be Piel Castle, but I agonise between two shots. One - the Canon shot - is definitely the better quality, but the other - iPhone shot - shows the vastness and drama of the scene. I feel I’ve used too many iPhone shots of late, so relegate this to extras, together with the lighthouse and two collages - one of Carnforth, the other of island scenes. 

It’s evident I’m way behind with entries and comments yet again! Thank you for your responses to  yesterday’s steel cormorants and your kind wishes. For those who asked, I now know my biopsy surgery is scheduled for February 28th.