Carlisle in crisis

Once again, Carlisle has seen some apocalyptic flooding of houses and buildings in the City Centre. Other parts of Cumbria have also suffered, with Glenridding, Appleby, Cockermouth, Keswick and Kendal all sharing the misery. Despite £38,000,000 of investment in flood defences, weather conditions conspired at the weekend to breach the defences and create flood levels that were higher than any previously recorded. After a sleepless night, Andy and I went out on Sunday morning to witness an unbelievable scene. For those affected, it must have been a terrifying experience followed by the grim realisation that the clean-up will take months

Salve Regina, Santa Evita!!

Cumbrian’s aren’t easily pleased.  So it was thrilling to witness “the people” deliver a standing ovation following the recent production of Evita at the Carlisle Sands Centre. With a superb musical score, there’s a sound base on which to build a great live performance but at the end, it’s down to the principal characters to deliver the story. And deliver it they did. Marti Pellow showed his musical theatre experience as a convincing Che with American, Mark Heenehan filling Peron’s boots with aplomb.  But it was Madalena Alberto who stole the show with her moving and compelling performance as Evita.

Timeless views

Excessive rain has caused part of the wall along my route to work to collapse, resulting in a detour along Cavendish Terrace.  The primary location for some of the most beautiful houses in Carlisle, it’s also the route taken by Bonnie Prince Charlie as he marched victoriously into Carlisle in 1745 celebrated with “a hundred pipers an ‘a, an ‘a ”

It’s incredible to think that although the view to the East is blighted by the Civic Centre, the view to the West of the Castle and Cathedral standing proudly against the skyline has changed little in the intervening centuries

The skyline with Cathedral and Castle (and Dixon's Chimney)

Towards the Civic Centre

Roman remains

Foolish or not, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went to view the Crosby Garrett Roman Helmet,  currently on loan to Tullie House in Carlisle.  Some of the 15,000 other visitors had spoken of a wealth of reactions: a spiritual connection with the mask, an overwhelming resonance of history, a profound awareness of its beauty. So, you may be surprised to discover that my own reaction was...... absolutely nothing!  .  It was a beautifully crafted piece of armour that had survived millennia in excellent condition but I felt no connection in any way.  Clearly I’m a soulless character

Magical Monstrosity

Carlisle’s Civic Centre, albeit a listing building, isn’t one of the cities’ most attractive sights.  It’s an angular, modernist tower which was completed in 1964 following a design competition with 200 entries.  The area formerly housed the Ricker or Northern Gate to the city and a host of houses and state owned pubs but with archetypal 1950s enthusiasm for modernisation, the land was cleared to create the site for Carlisle’s  only “tower block”.  I’m definitely not a fan of cubic design but even so, I was enthralled to see a rainbow arcing over it on a rainy day last week.

Foam Party

Clearly, some of the more youthful Carlisle residents were recreating an Ibiza party mood in Hardwick Circus last night.  When I cycled through on my way to work this morning, the fountain was reminiscent of a foam party (not that I have personal experience of one you understand).  It’s amazing just how much foam can be created from what I assume was a single bottle of shower gel!  I know that it must be an irritant to the local council who have to empty and clean the fountain (not to mention waste of water) but it did make me smile

Relics of the past

I’ve been “looking up” as I walk around Carlisle,  and  it’s amazing what can be discovered.  Particularly interesting are “Ghost signs”: a tell-tale reminder of the city’s past, along with decorative panels and dates relating to a bygone time when the city was growing and the mark of success was building a temple of stone. Clearly the exuberance of post war planners in the progressive decades has had a lasting impact, with many of the city’s older building and streets razed to the ground in the name of progress. But thankfully, some small pockets of history remain to be celebrated

A winter sunrise to warm the heart

As yesterday morning awoke, the sky was absolutely stunning.  I often ride into the embrace of a rose-tinted sunrise as part of my journey is in a South-Easterly direction, but yesterday it was breathtakingly beautiful.   The city looked as if it was on fire, the intensity of the red and pink dawn light creating a ruby glow over the timeless sandstone buildings.  It was so glorious I stopped to take a photo on my phone. It was delightful to hear that several friends in Cockermouth, 25 miles to the West had shared the very same joy in the sunrise too

Sadly, the phone doesn't do this scene justice

Festive Flash Mob

I never thought I’d be part of a “flash mob” in Carlisle (or anywhere else for that matter), but not only was I there, singing Jingle Bells along with numerous other geocachers, but the organisation was all mine!!  So what had brought us to the holly bedecked bandstand on a wintry night so cold that our extremities were tingling with imminent frostbite instead of anticipation? It was the date of course - 12/12/12; the last time this century that the numbers will align.  True to form, the Cumbrian caching community turned up to celebrate, enjoying  mince pies and mulled wine

Olympic Torch

Yesterday, the Olympic Torch came to Carlisle. Initially, I was somewhat underwhelmed by the concept of the Torch touring the UK but since it arrived in Cornwall, I have become increasingly enthused by the concept.  Carried by a relay of, in the main, “inspiring” individuals, the torch is visiting cities that otherwise might feel disenfranchised from the London centric Olympic emphasis.  We decided to meet the Torch in Bitts Park where it was resting overnight.  Jordan Little, a local young person who has overcome personal challenges, was the final Torch bearer and moved everyone when he proudly lit the cauldron

Visitors from across the pond II

At long last we’ve met our American friends, Dick and Barb.  And the 4 days we’ve spent together were super.  We ate and drank too much, including afternoon tea using my mum’s tea set and visited several of our local historical sites including Hadrian’s Wall and Housesteads, Carlisle Castle and Cathedral  and Tullie House.  Barb discovered that her ancestors were from old Border Reiver families and so became the butt of our jokes about outlaws, thieves and vagabonds.
We were all particularly enthused by the quality of the new Reivers exhibition and  thoroughly enjoyed the Roman Gallery at Tullie House

Learning at the launderette

For the first time in years I visited a launderette and how interesting it proved to be.  The cover off the sofa bed needed washing in an industrial sized washing machine so after a bit of judicious research, I found a launderette not too far out of the centre of town.  I spent a surprisingly relaxing and enlightening hour, chatting to an American academic couple who were on holiday investigating the local historical and archaeological features.  It was great to be able to hear their stories and share some of the less well publicised historical anecdotes of Carlisle with them

Tour guide

I’ve started my tour guide training!!  It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while and with things on the public sector employment front looking decidedly unstable, I’ve decided to broaden my skill base.  I love history and talking so what better thing than to attempt to combine the two.  I’m beginning my training with Carlisle Castle and then, if I’m any good, I will be allowed to graduate onto other sites and tours. I’ll  also achieve a recognised qualification if I make the grade.  I’m excited and ready to take this the first step on a much longer journey

Camels for Christmas in Carlisle

We had camels in Carlisle last week.  They’re not something one usually expects to see in a Northern English town but they were part of an atmospheric Christmas torch light procession from the castle to the town square which ended with a carol service.  The lanterns were suspended on poles and were made from withies and tissue paper with tea lights inside.  The overall effect was very attractive and has made me think about having a go at making one.  Some farms around here are now growing willow so perhaps we’ll see more traditional crafts in future……… along with the ungulates

CARLISLE'S GHOSTLY PAST

I’m planning to find out more about Carlisle’s ghostly past so I can set up a geocaching trail. I’ve wanted to do an historic trail around the city for ages but with a slightly different theme so I’ve been thinking.  Always dangerous!  Surprisingly, Carlisle doesn’t seem to be overly blessed with too many ghosts according to Google so I need to dig a little deeper into the Carlisle history books.  I’d be very surprised if there weren’t some unsettled spirits drifting around the city as it has such an ancient and violent past. I just need them to start appearing!

Climate Change

At last the snow is melting here in Carlisle, the thaw bringing the damp coldness that penetrates into your very bones. Here, dull, dank, grey days typify our dreary winter so I long for a return of the bright crispness of drier, wintry days where snow squeaks underfoot and my nose drips with cold rather than rain run off! But ironically, global warming may makes my dream a reality. Continuing disruption to the North Atlantic Drift could see winter temperatures plummet in Britain, possibly bringing about the colder drier winters I crave. Is this a price I’m prepared to pay?

The best time of my day

I’m fortunate to live and work in an interesting, beautiful place. Carlisle is an historic city dating back to Roman times with an impressive ancient cathedral and red sandstone castle where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned.

Each day, my cycle to work provides lovely views across the river Eden to Bitts Park and the castle. But the best part of my day is when my husband walks our dog Molly to meet me on my way home. I love catching sight of them in the distance, meeting up and feeling deeply satisfied to be part of an historic landscape.