This evening, I am posting some images of a couple of interesting Roman sites which I visited recently in the Lake District.

The first (still) image is of Hardknott Roman Fort or Mediobocdum. This large fort was built during the time of Hadrian (Emperor from AD117 to 138) by a Cohort of troops from Croatia. The walls were 12 feet thick. Other features include a double towered gateway, granaries, a bathhouse and commandant's quarters. Elevation is 800 feet and in winter this would have proved a hardship posting for the troops.



Here is a video clip of Alauna, at Maryport. This Roman fort is believed to have been closely linked to Hadrian's Wall just to the north. It was built by Vexillations of the Second Augustan Legion and the Twentieth Legion. Unfortunately, access to the actual site was restricted but adjacent is a museum full of Roman era artifacts and statues from the locality. To me the earthworks are redolent of Ardoch in Perthshire. In the video can be seen a replica of a Roman Watchtower.

For visitors interested in the Roman era, both of the above sites are deserving of a visit. (There is a good fish and chip shop at the sea front in Maryport!)

Labels: lake district

posted by Nigel Cole @ 12:48 PM  0 comments

This evening, I am posting a couple of images of Crummock Water ("crooked lake") which is located close to Buttermere, in fact the two lakes were once one and are now separated by a slightly elevated flood plain. Crummock Water is about two and half miles long and much deeper than Buttermere. The latter is more accessible to visitors.

Labels: lake district

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:24 PM  0 comments

This evening, I am posting a video clip of Coniston Water in the Lake District. This lake, which is some five miles long and half a mile wide, has associations with:

• Arthur Ransome, author of Swallows and Amazons; and
• Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell, a father and son duo who between them set a series of speed records on the lake with Donald killed in a record attempt in 1967.
  

The boat in the video is the Steam Yacht Gondola which offers the grace and luxury of a bygone age.

Labels: lake district

posted by Nigel Cole @ 12:52 PM  0 comments

Today we enjoyed various activities in and around Whinlatter Forest Park near Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water in the Lake District.

One member availed of the 'Go Ape' experience, navigating around high wires in the trees whilst another went mountain biking along the many trails designed for that purpose.

Overall, this proved an excellent facility run by the Forestry Commission and well patronised by cyclists and walkers.

I obtained some reasonable pics, benefiting from combination of high elevation, lake views and benign weather conditions.

Labels: lake district

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:13 PM  0 comments

Today, we enjoyed an excellent short tour covering Wray Castle, Beatrix Potter's Hill Top Farm,village of Hawkeshead, Tarn How's (beauty spot), Coniston Water (lake), Yewdale Valley and Lake Windermere.
Weather was reasonably benign allowing good photo opportunties

Labels: lake district

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:29 PM  0 comments

Today we visited Eskdale in good weather offering great photo opps.

Starting at Ravenglass on the coast we took our bikes on the historic Eskdale and Ravenglass railway which is a quasi volunteer operated narrow guage railway originally established to transport iron ore in the 19th century. This little railway chugs happily through some stunning scenery. At end of the line we collected our bikes and ventured along some almost vertical roads to visit the well preserved Roman fort at Hardknott.


This is the Roman Fort at Hardknott. This is very well preserved, no doubt aided by remote location. One of the most impressive Roman sites I have visited in Britain.

Labels: lake district

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:36 PM  0 comments

Today, I walked a four mile plus route around the edge of Buttermere, a small lake surrounded by high dramatic peaks in Cumbria. We enjoyed blue skye and warm sunshine. Great opportunities for photos and videos.

Labels: lake district

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:32 PM  0 comments

Today, we had an enjoyable boat trip on Derwentwater which lasted about one hour (in good weather). The boat trip lasted commenced at Keswick with stops at Nichol End, Hawes End, Low Brandelhow, High Brandelow, Lodore, and Ashness Gate.I obtained some good video and still images

Later we visited a magical place called Castlerigg Stone Circle which dates from between 1300 and 2500 BC.

Labels: lake district

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:21 PM  0 comments

Today I visited Brougham Castle in England. This castle dates from Norman times and is actually located on the site of a Roman fort which would pre- date the castle by about 1000 years.



Very briefly, the castle was founded by a Norman family and was passed to Robert Clifford who strengthened the defences. His descendant, Lady Ann Clifford inherited the castle and died there in 1676 subsequent to which the castle fell into ruin.



The site is very appealing with a river running close by and new born lambs gamboling in the sunshine.

Labels: lake district

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:28 PM  0 comments