Carlisle Weekend

We’ve come away for a short while To a small hotel in Carlisle Our reason for this retreat A birthday, anniversary treat

The journey up took quite a long time We travelled via the scenic line – We often take a long detour For then we get to see much more

To start – Swindon to Paddington Then took the tube across London North from Euston on the West Coast Flying by many-a mile post

At Lancaster a bak’ry found At tourist info looked around But we didn’t there long remain As needed to catch the next train

A route up then we did arrange Hellifield was our interchange Thence onward went to Ribblehead What beautiful views – must be said!

Fin’lly reached our destination Carlisle’s old Citadel station After booking in, we did soon Go to eat in a Wetherspoon

As we had all now been well fed We were quite glad to get to bed For it was the end of the day We’d done many miles on our way

On Friday after we arose A cooked breakfast selection chose From bacon, egg, mushrooms, coffee Hash browns, sausages, cereals, tea

Now we were ready to go out To the station, don’t hang about This time the journey we’d got planned To cross the border to Scotland

Firstly to Edinburgh we went And on their trams a while spent Found ourselves some items for lunch Got on a train where we did munch

And where was that train due to go? West to the city of Glasgow To their subway we did descend Round like a perpetual bend

Through the city with cakes in mind Until a bak’ry we did find McDonalds was that bak’ry’s name The takeaway chain’s not the same

Out the windows are splendid views Rolling along the train does cruise The cows all watch as we go by But sheep run away – must be shy

There seems to be a lot of cloud For the mountain tops it does shroud And there is a lot of light mist So some of the sights might be missed

Across the landscape tall and fine Walk many rows of wind turbine Slowly, steadily, many turn Less’ning the need for fuel to burn

Shortly it was time to head back Across the border on the track At a pub by the station ate Then to the hotel, not too late

Saturday started dull and grey We won’t let that get in the way As we take the Cumbrian coast With lots of sea there it does boast

There’s rolling hills with wind swept trees As we are approaching St Bees We also saw their public school Which seems to have an indoor pool

The sea was choppy, full of foam As we continued on our roam Instead of a vista that’s clear It was so very bleak, dull and drear

We fin’lly arrived at Barrow And to the park we soon did go For there it was the open day Of the town’s miniature railway

Because of all the drizzly rain There were few riders for the train So shortly we traversed their line Took some pictures of their club sign

Next the plan was to Ulverston In case their railway ride was on But sadly there was no one there And so we saved ourselves the fare

We’d detoured to find a food shop For it was time for our lunch stop We ate whilst on the mainline train On it to Lancaster remain

Via Oxenholme to Windermere There would be great sights if ‘twas clear But as it was still very wet Out the carriage we did not get

Later in a Lancaster pub We stopped to eat our dinner – grub! We almost beat the evening rush But it still was not very hush

Sunday started a bit less grey And we hoped for a brighter day Again headed for the Irish Sea Where a railway happened to be

The station needed we did pass As we first went to Ravenglass Sadly no sandwiches for lunch But yummy ice creams we did munch

The sun was out brightly shining So we had no reason for whining Soon caught a train to Workington Their mini railway to go on

After some seeking there we found Their track up on some sheltered ground In front of an historic hall Which made the railway look quite small

Monday morning has now begun And, fortunately, with some sun Today to Newcastle-upon-Tyne Along the Hadrian’s Wall line

Then round the city we did go Riding the Tyne and Wear Metro We took a stroll at Whitley Bay Where we could see the sea today

Later rode the East Coast mainline Where everything was going fine Until our train ground to a halt Which ‘twas an electrical fault

We disembarked that train at York But didn’t go out for a walk We stayed in the station and found The next train there that was northbound

In Newcastle we did arrive The time it was just before five So time for tea we all did say Fin’lly found TGI Friday

And when later we’d had our fill We asked politely for the bill On the Metro ‘twas a short hop To the mainline train station stop

I’m sorry this sounds unpleasant But our train hit several pheasant! There were feathers most everywhere Though some birds flew up in the air

For we were nearing the last day Of our short August break away We’d had some good and bad weather But would that stop us? – no, never!

Yes, we were now speeding our way back I’m sure we’d soon have a small snack! The mist was thick o’er hills and lakes A patchy photograph it makes

In other places the sky’s clear You can enjoy views far and near The livestock in the fields abound And some have tractors going round

We then stopped off at Milton Keynes Guess why? – what do you think this means? Yes, as usual it’s for a train On which we hope a ride to gain

The pub was at a Lakeside spot And it was called the Caldecotte The railway beyond their car park Where you get on or disembark

And thus our trip drew to a close On the way home we had a doze And all that’s left for me to say Is we enjoyed our time away!