Our First Day

We all gradually arrived in Scales, by bus and by car. We had a short look around what was to be our base for the next few days. John E. already had a walk planned for the "early birds". His walk took us along a picturesque stretch of the Glenderamackin with Blencathra to the north of us and Clough Head to the south of us. As can be expected on John's walks, we then paid a visit to a place of liquid refreshment, in this case the traditional "Horse and Farrier Inn" in down-town Threlkeld. We then wended our way back through verdant Lakeland scenery, in time for our first evening dinner together at Scales's "White Horse Inn".

Here we are, enjoying a chin wag and a jar or so of the local brew at the "Horse and Farrier" in Threlkeld, with Blencathra rising up to our left.

Now here is what you will see about our first day in Scales.

• Our First Day
• We Arrive in Scales
• Our First Walk - to Threlkeld
• Threlkeld - We drop in to the "Horse & Farrier"
• Walk Features
• Our First Evening - "The White Horse Inn"


• Please Read Me! Thankyou!

We Arrive

Scales will be our base for the next few days. Accommodation is provided by the "White Horse Inn", which also serves reasonably good evening meals if we happen to end our walk in Scales. There are several good walks right from our doorstep. To the north, just behind us, is the geological pile known as Blencathra, while Clough Head and the Great Dodd beckon us from the south. A frequent bus connections can of course also take us to Keswick, that starting point for many explorations of the Lake District.

Here is the "White Horse Inn, ...




... while almost next door (here on the left) is the Scales Farm Guesthouse.

Our First Walk - To Threlkeld

We set off, from the doorstep, through pastures green, which were echoing to the sounds of bleating sheep - the lambing season was in full swing. We followed the bank of the lively Glenderamackin, at the foot of that noble pile they call Blencathra. This mountain, it appears, is still owned by the local landowners, who found other ways of paying their inheritance tax. Eventually we came to Threlkeld.

Clough Head - which we would scale tomorrow - watches our progress through the verdant landscape of late Spring.




The sun is shining pleasantly on our start to our away break. Very nice.




We tarry awhile ...




... on a bridge over the Glenderamackin ...




... which gurgles and babbles its way through the landscape.




Here are more gurgles and babbles.




One can see why Blencathra is sometimes called "Saddleback".




Here we see a bit more of Blencathra before we head for Threlkeld.

Threlkeld - "Horse & Farrier"

We stop for a while in Threlkeld, enjoying the ambience and liquid fare afforded by the "Horse and Farrier Inn". Threlkeld is one of those erstwhile sleepy Lakeland villages which have responded well to the Tourist Industry. The pub oozes history and tradition, while, of course, not forgetting its commitment to the discerning palates of today's beer afficionados.

As we enter Thelkeld, Clough Head - on tomorrow's agenda - to the south greets us.




In the village we pass one aspect spiritual ...




... but head for the other.




Why, it's the "Horse and Farrier"!




A farrier's occupation required skill. He had to fasten a horseshoe to the horse's hoof very firmly and tightly. However, he could risk striking a nail beyond the top of the hoof and into the horse's foot itself. This, understandably, would not meet with the horse's approval, which might then kick out at the errant farrier. A situation to be avoided!




In the pub there are a number of old prints. This one looks like a very rural scene of old in the Lake District. Pubs sometimes buy their pictures and decorations as job lots; however the visitor is meant to assume that this print has been here since time immemorial. By the way, the frame and mount are my embellishments, courtesy of HTML5.




Outside the pub we are enjoying our first Lakeland experience. John E. liked the pub so much that he booked tables for some of us here for tomorrow (Saturday) evening. Tomorrow, Ralph's group would indeed be making a determined dash off the mountains to honour the evening arrangement.




A Newcastle lady, holidaying with her family, spoke about the weather divide today. Sunny down the western half of the UK and rainy down the eastern half. She would be returning tomorrow to the eastern half, but she was nice enough to take this picture, which as you can see, now is also graced by the presence of yours truly.




Clough Head accompanies us as we head back to Scales.

Our First Evening - at "The White Horse Inn"

John E., with appropriate forethought, booked two tables for us for our first evening dinner together at the "White Horse" in Scales. This gave us all not only an occasion for an in-depth chin wag, but also a chance to make plans for tomorrow's walks.

Most of us were contemplating the desert ...




... which was a good time to record our nice evening.




And here is one more picture, in case I left anyone out!
For some of us, the night is still young.