We left our lovely apartment at Summer Hill at ten o'clock this morning. However, we were in no rush, knowing that the journey back to Sheffield would take approximately three hours.
It was a beautiful late September morning - the colours of nature so vivid. We decided to make a detour - first to the village of Cartmel and then on to Grange-over-Sands which was developed in the late nineteenth century as a genteel seaside resort served by a new railway link.
At Cartmel, we visited the wonderful priory church founded by the first Earl of Pembroke in 1190. Then at Grange we ambled along the promenade to the disused lido where thankfully restoration works are soon to commence.
It had been a lovely break in a part of this island that neither of us knew. Lord knows if we will ever be back there but we are glad that we went and made some good memories to recollect through the coming winter and beyond.
For once I can't really agree that this lido should be on a list for restoration. It will be very expensive if done properly and it might be better to just start again.
ReplyDeleteNice to be home, I am sure and you have a granddaughter to see.
We cannot see our little princess as she is holidaying on the island of Corfu in Greece!
DeleteLovely photos. It's so funny how people will explore other countries but not their own, except for you of course. You explore and allow us to share in your journey.
ReplyDeleteEngland is such a beautiful, varied little country laced with history. However, many of my countrymen and countrywomen do not seem thrilled with it as I am.
DeleteThe first picture of Cartmel is so pretty. And Grange over Sands looks like a good walking area. I bet you are glad to be home though.
ReplyDeleteNot really River. I would have been happy to stay there for a few more days and do some more exploring. For example, we did not visit the ruins of Furness Abbey.
DeleteIsn't the priory wonderful?
ReplyDeleteGlad you had time to visit. Husband's ancestors are buried there. Not a bad place to spend eternity!
The east window was truly magnificent and I have been in a hell of a lot of churches. I guess that Cartmel isn't too far from Blackburn - perhaps an hour's drive?
DeleteAbout that. Depends on the M6........
DeleteCartmel looks such a pretty place - worth exploring.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Global warming, it must be the promise of warmer summers because I've read that several defunct Lidos are scheduled to be restored.
On the same day that I read of your trip to Piel Island, I found an article about ancient castles is need of immediate restoration work, and Piel Castle was mentioned as being high on the list of complete collapse. Strange I should come across it twice in one day - yet had never heard of it before.
Young Phoebe certainly gets about!
I also spotted that coastal castle item on the BBC website Carol.
DeleteWelcome home, Neil! The break was well deserved and needed, and your choice of place to stay, places to visit and walk were good.
ReplyDeleteThe disused lido reminds me of Scarborough‘s South Bay pool, long gone now but an enchanted place for me when it still existed, resting dormant in its faded splendour.
A change is as good as a rest. You are all fuelled up for the winter.
DeleteTwo nice ladies for the price of one!
DeleteMeike - You are right. After Simon and everything we needed a good break in a peaceful place. Almost like the place that time forgot.
ADDY - Yes. A good boost before the darkness and the cold.
Cumbria seems the place to go for lidos. We went to Greystoke a lot when on holiday nearby, where we went several times. Years ago I regularly used Albert Avenue lido in Hull. Great fun, even when it's raining.
ReplyDeleteThere used to be a popular lido in Sheffield - at Millhouses Park - but it disappeared over three decades back. I only swam there a couple of times. At Grange-over-Sands the shallow sea over Morecambe Bay can be treacherous as I am sure you know so a lido makes total sense there.
DeleteI had to google "lido". Still not quite sure. An open air beach? Is that what the picture is showing? I'm still confused.
ReplyDeleteYou do have a beautiful country and a lifetime of exploration would not do it justice.
A lido is essentially an outdoor swimming pool with rest areas where you can lounge all day, eat and drink and just chill out.
DeleteSounds like an interesting place. I must look it up to find out where it is.
ReplyDeleteYou can travel round courtesy of Google Streetview.
DeleteYou packed in a lot of lovely sights on your trip and you had good weather too. I had to google "lido" as I wasn't sure what I was looking at. I love learning new things while reading blogs! Thanks, Neil...
ReplyDeleteI assumed - wrongly it seems - that all native English speakers would know what a lido is or was.
DeleteIt has become quite trendy to restore lidos. And excellent they are. There is one in South Wales at Pontypridd that is retro and beautiful - and brilliant local facility. Thankfully they price accordingly so it is open to all - about £3 to swim. Unlike the one in Bath which is hundreds to be member or around £25 to visit for a morning. I hope the restore it for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe sands at Grange are pretty treacherous so you can see why the late Victorians thought a lido might be a good idea.
DeleteSounds like a nice trip home. That lido will be amazing if & when they get it fixed up.
ReplyDeleteGrange seemed like a nice place - peaceful and genteel. It deserves to have its lido back.
DeleteHome sweet home. It looked like a great break.
ReplyDeleteIt was Dave but I had a lot of pictures to edit at night.
DeleteThe first two photos awaken my desire to travel.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed some all-round lovely days. Welcome back!
Britain has so many wonderful corners to explore.
DeleteAh, I've explored a bit of Kent, the South coast, Cornwall, Wales, The Cotswalds, parts of Scotland , Orkney and, 'of course', London, but, unfortunately, never made it to the Lake District. The more I enjoyed accompanying you this week.
DeleteI hope I have helped to get you thinking about a trip you could make in the coming months Sean.
DeleteLonely lido at Grange-over-Sands, ruins do haunt.
ReplyDeleteMeike compared it to Scarborough's South Bay Pool.
Tasker to the lido in Hull, smashing place to swim even on rainy days.
Strange, the leisure places that fall into ruin.
Will our malls follow them one day?
Poignant to see the Promenade at Grange, seagrass waving in the breeze.
Philip Larkin, you old moaner. Where are you when we need you ?
Haggerty
He is reborn as a Scottish intellectual grumping about the streets of Glasgow wondering if "to grump" really is a verb.
DeleteWe leave you British alone for 250 years and you start developing strange words like lido. Evolution at its finest!
ReplyDelete