Year of the Dog

My main intention on Friday was to go and see the Chinese New year celebrations that were being held in Carlisle city center, apparently it's the year of the dog according to the Chinese zodiac.  This was a very colourful and entertaining event with lots of crowd participation and impromptu lesson's for the younger members of the crowd although some of the older ones got involved too. It turned out to be a lovely day but cold at times. Full credit must go to Tully House Museum for organizing the event, definitely one to be repeated next year.

These two little guys were totally carried away with the event, I had as much fun watching them as I did the performers.

After the parade I had time to wander round some of the old parts of the city centre.

The Kings Head, in Fisher Street

Theses are on the gates at the main entrance to the cathedral.

 

This tree trunk looks like giant legs

The Fratry 

West Walls

As the Langholm skyline is blighted with the scaffolding on the Erskine Church.........

Courtesy of Gavin Graham

......Carlisle has to suffer the derelict Central Hotel near the city centre, It's a disgrace buildings are allowed to get to this state.

Good Friends

We woke to another day of dullness and what seems like perpetual rain.  After a light breakfast I went to take my turn at the moorland feeder station, I hurriedly filled the feeders and made a hasty retreat  home, wanting to get out of the wet as quickly as possible.

On my return I stopped to take a shot of this recently erected structure through the car windscreen, possibly a communication tower

I quickly checked my rain gauge when I got home and saw it needed to be reset.....

.....which I did.

At lunchtime I jumped on the X95 to Carlisle to meet up with my friend Graham for long overdue catch up, Graham is much like Tootlepedal, he can impart some good and timely advice when needed but also good company and always cheerful. We met up and had a light lunch with refreshments and put the world to rights as one does.  A good afternoon was had.

Should've Gone to Specsavers

I got quite a surprise when I drew the curtains back this morning and saw a blanket of fresh snow that had fallen quite unexpectedly to me anyway during the night.

The scene from my study this morning, the only hint of colour is the blue barrel next to the greenhouse.

I had nothing planned for the day other than a visit to Specsavers to pick up an accessory for my hearing aid or hearing instruments as they are referred to now. I arrived an hour early for my appointment so after a cup of coffee I had a walk round some of the older parts of Carlisle. The city and cathedral are small as far as other cities and cathedrals go but it's steeped in history and still has some quaint charm and also has managed to retain buildings that reflect that history.

The Sportsman Inn looking towards the Tythe Barn leading to West Walls.

West Walls......

Looking back along West Walls

The wall itself, hard to imagine this was a part of great defense that surrounded the city centuries ago.

Dean Tait's Lane leading to the junction between Abbey and Paternoster Row.

The entrance to the cathedral grounds from Abbey Street.

The exit onto Abbey Street and Paternoster Row.

The Fratry .

Seems to be some extensive works being done to the Cathedral.

The cathedral entrance.

No scaffolding this side.

The Guildhall and Fisher Street.

The old Town Hall and Mercat Cross

A bit more up to date but still as grand The Crown and Mitre.

Carlisle infamous lanes system was demolished in the early eighties and replaced with a brand new shopping centre that was well designed and has maintained its popularity over the years.

I seemed to have omitted the most important building of the lot, Carlisle Castle. I'll pop that in some post in the near future.

Finally it was time for my appointment which went well and I got undivided attention from my audiologist Amber who also happens to be an ex neighbour from way back so it's nice to catch up with her occasionally. While I had been  in Specsavers I had a text from Tootlepedal inviting me for coffee but sadly I had to forgo the invitation and settled for some lunch in town. Click here if you want to find out  how his day has gone.

A Frosty Walk and a Trip Into Town

I woke to a welcome sunny but frostymorning which lifted my spirits no end. After breakfast and a cup of coffee I set off for a quick walk round the Castleholm. I stopped off at the bungalow and topped up the electric and gas meters. I've had some interest in it lately but no offers as yet hopefully come the spring someone may see the potential the property offers. I passed by the new primary school where the children were getting ready to go to class. 

The remains of an old clay pipe that someone had found and laid on a stone onthe way to the Duchess Bridge. The initials T W were quite intriguing, were they the owner or the maker?

Looking upstream from Duchess bridge a scene that never seems to come out well when photographed

It's always difficult to get a shot of the bridge without treesvand beanches getting in the way

I stopped admire the ice patterns in some puddles

Sunlight and shadows

It was a good morning for frosthair

Two important town bridges

The Ministers poultry enjoying the sunshine and....

....the frosted ivy caught my eye on the Manse wall

In the afternoon I went to Carlisle to meet up with an ex work colleague for a spot of lunch and a catch up. It was nice to see the outside sitting areas full of people taking advantage of the sunshine. 

Carlisle old town hall looking resplendent in the sunshine since it's recent make over