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BB2311
: Squirrels On Parade
Thursday
30th March 2023
As
the forecast was poor and many of the usual
suspects unavailable, Mike B and myself
(Tony) decided we would do something different
and cultural and try to avoid the predicted
inclement weather.
A
few years ago Don and I took a train trip
to historic Carlisle and Mike and I thought
it would be a good idea to replicate it
although this time by car.
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The
intention was to also include
a walk to Ninekirks Church,
restored by Lady Anne Clifford
in 1660, buried deep in the
fields off the A66.
As
it turned out we didn’t have
time to fit it in but it’s definitely
worth a visit on another day.
I think other Bootboys may want
to do this as well.
For
info on this amazing old church
see: Touching
The Lost Past Of Ninekirks
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On
reaching Carlisle our first port of call
was a delightful coffee shop in the main
square before moving on to the castle (rebuilt
in stone in 1122) containing the museum
dedicated to the Border Regiment.
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I
love this place; it’s crammed with interesting
artefacts from all their campaigns.
Personally
I prefer it to the Imperial War Museum which
these days I find totally bland and devoid
of all the small fascinating items that
filled the glass display cases back in the
sixties. Mary Queen of Scots was also held
there for a time.
The
grounds contain quite a few interesting
buildings used by the military, each named
after first world war actions e.g. Ypres
and Arras. Unfortunately these aren’t accessible
being in sad states of repair. Think they’re
hoping for lottery money to restore.
Our
next port of call was an unbelievable (mainly
second hand) bookshop just down from the
castle which was originally an old bank.
I’m sure it’s got more stock than some libraries.
Attached
to the shop is a very nice café where
we dined (just after 12) on a ploughmans
for me whilst Mike had a ciabatta with ham
and cheese and salad washed down with a
nice couple of bottles of Hawkshead Gold.
Exploring
the bookshop, we descended into the catacombs
where you need a ball of knotted string
to find your way out. It’s truly amazing.
There’s even old LP records stored in the
original secure bank vault with literally
thousands of other records and tons of sheet
music on the sagging shelves as well as
ancient books.
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I
had a personal reason for visiting
the bookshop as on my last visit
with Don I noticed that the
owner had some genuine roman
coins on sale.
I
always regretted not purchasing
one as I really wanted to touch
and own something that was over
1700 years old.
I’m
delighted to advise that my
ambition is now achieved and
I’m the proud owner of a bronze
cententionalis from the reign
of Flavius Julis Constans II
(337-361AD) and for only eight
quid!!
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After
the bookshop we visited Carlisle Anglican
Cathedral (founded in 1133) which houses
a superb treasury containing many silver
artefacts dating back centuries, before
returning homeward to take in what was to
be the main event!!
Within
the grounds of Shap Wells Hotel, there is
a red squirrel sanctuary maintained by a
local society and Mike and I had long talked
of taking our cameras for a photoshoot with
these little fellas. Walking up to the site
there was little or no action and I was
getting worried they were all still abed
but as we drew nearer they didn’t disappoint
especially as I’d brought a bag of nuts
to tempt them.
They
came out in decent numbers coming within
just a few feet of us posing wonderfully
with the nuts allowing us to grab some great
pics.
We
then wended our weary way home after a cracking
day out and it didn’t even rain!!
Walking
distance nearly ¾ of a mile and zero
height. Must be a Bootboys record!!
Tony,
Thursday 30th March 2023
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