Threlkeld Mining Museum

Up north visiting the Lappers. This is a flying weekend visit involving a late evening dash up the motorway to Charnock Richard, about 6 hours kip and then a morning dash the rest of the way in time for breakfast (Cumberland sausage, mmmm).

Anyway, typical Lakes weather today. It wasn't (yet) raining after breakfast so me and Mum went around the garden in case it was the only chance we got. All looking fabulous as usual and some particularly stunning hollyhocks and dahlias. While we were outside, lots of geese flew over. This was a truly magnificent sight, although very early. Surely geese can't be coming back from the arctic already???

Next up, Houblon suggested that as it was going to bucket down, we could visit the mining museum at Threlkeld, which he has seen on John Gravett's blips. If you haven't been, do go. There's a long history of mining in the Lakes - there's minerals in them there fells. This museum contains a huge amount of information (and photos taken by David Bridge, a family friend of long-standing who is an expert on Lake District mines). The underground visits were full so we didn't go, but we had a ride on the narrow gauge railway, which was steam-hauled today, and admired the collection of vintage cranes.

This blip shows the machinery, and the engine shed and railway, with Blencathra, a favourite fell, behind.

We warmed up afterwards in the Horse and Farrier, Threlkeld, with the assistance of Jennings Ale, and some simply enormous scones.

A lovely day