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

The best years of our lives

For 14 years, our lives have been inextricably tied up with Nerea’s school, Austin Friars St. Monica’s.  From her first day as a 4 year old to her final U6 leaver’s assembly, as parents, we’ve been encouraged to be part of an extended school family. Perhaps it’s because the school is comparatively small, the sense of community has always been strong and as such we’ve been privileged to share in many joyful and celebratory occasions. So perhaps it was unsurprising that I found myself moved to tears during her wonderful but final summer musical recital in Carlisle Cathedral last week.

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

Carlisle Cathedral

Until recently, my experience of Carlisle Cathedral, a beautiful, red sandstone building dating from the 12^th Century had always been joyful; school speech days, musical recitals and occasional attendance at Evensong, celebrated with the music of centuries.   So it was with some trepidation that I attended a funeral in that ancient, holy place.  That the funeral was for someone my own age who died leaving his wife and 3 teenage children made it all the more poignant. The service was dignified but my heart ached for his family as they walked behind his coffin, bravely shouldered by his teenage son.