KENDAL 5 Miles
WALKERS :- Danny, James, Anthony, John R
John W, Vic, Martin, Frank. Mike.
The men that live in North England
I saw them for a day
Their hearts are set on the waste fells
Their skies are fast and grey
From their castle walls a man may see
The mountains far away.
Hilaire Belloc.
Castle walls - Check !
Skies fast and grey - check !
Mountains far away - check !
Men that live in the North - Check !
Waste fells - check !
Wow ! Does he mean us ?
A walk through history today. A castle built by the family of one of William the Conqueror's most enthusiastic and ardent followers, Ivo de Taillebois, on land granted to him to reward his loyalty (Pity the poor peasants who already lived there.) Then a castle built later and once owned by Catherine Parr's family though it is doubted that she ever set foot in it.
We parked on the Southern edge of Kendal at a convenient roadside spot close by the river,
John R wanders the few yards from the cars to the river.
The path led us from the cars up towards the town centre passing under the road by which we had arrived. It then took us behind the site of the former Clark's Shoe factory, The modern buildings of the redevelopment were sympathetic to the older ones which surrounded them
Soon after, we crossed over the river and entered the precincts of the Parish Church of Kendal.
On entering the church the writer was both surprised and awed by the dominance of stone pillars.
The church also had some beautiful and many faceted stained glass.
and of course, being in such hallowed surroundings we encountered an angelic host.
The area around the church also boasted a cafe and a museum ...and.... a Barbara Hepworth sculpture.
Yes..Well.... Beautiful... I shall refrain from comment.
Vic surmised that it's title "TREZON" meant 3 in 1 ????
Out of the churchyard and onto the High Street. Almost immediately we crossed this busy road and followed the steep roads, alleyways and steps up to Howe Castle.
The castle, built in the 12th century, soon (relatively) fell into disrepair and whilst the Motte still remains it is now topped by a memorial obelisk.
Coffee time AND, with a chill breeze cutting across this high place, Martin's "Firewater" which was doubly welcome. A narrow path curved downwards away from the top and led us down back into the town.
More steep roads tumbled down till we again came to the High Street.
We recrossed this road just by the imposing Town Hall before slipping down another busy but decidedly narrow road where single file down the footpath was obligatory.
At the bottom of this narrow death trap we once again found ourselves on the banks of the River Kent where a large and eccentric mobile home caught our attention. It was covered in "Aphorisms" and "Street Wisdom" some very amusing and some a little "Naff".
Fortunately the owner/driver did not emerge as I suspect our equally worldly wise gang would have been there hours in discussion and argument.
We needed to cross the river but the next bridge was barred to pedestrian traffic so we walked on to where the High Street ended by leaving town over the river. We paused a while on the bridge to watch a group of unusual waterfowl as they dabbled in the river shallows.
Duckwatchers
Duck
(probably Goosanders recognised by long saw-edged bills -fish eating)
Down from this large bridge and past another handsome church behind which was a terrace of houses fronted by a small green covered with apparently communal washing lines.
From here a short climb took us to the hill (a drumlin) atop of which was our second castle. Kendal Castle. This was a rather more substantial ruin than "Howe Castle" and was in a superbly appropriate situation. A commanding site with a 360 degree view of the Baronial Lands. (medieval of course). Having sheltered Bad Barons, Killer Knights and Wicked Women. The Castle now offered shelter for Muddled Meanderthals, LUNCHTIME !
The beautifully managed grounds and well positioned information boards made this a cold but worthwhile visit.
That's Danny down there. I think !
After further exploration we left the Castle, passing the beacon as it looked down on the myriad roofs of Kendal's handsome town centre and (centre left) our first castle of the day.
The path that can be seen to the left of the beacon circled round the hill. We followed it until almost back at the entrance track at which point we dropped down to other tracks which would lead us back to the cars.
As we aimed for the cars our route took us through a sports complex where Vic just had to take a detour to admire a superb bowling green (and chat to the greensman).
Off again and through the streets of Kendal back to the cars after a fascinating walk and so home.
More photos to come.
Now there's a Challenge !
Danny thoughtfully peruses the obelisk
Old advert or memorial ? (manufacturer of snuff)
Under seige !
The artist's "Blue" period ?
