Talkin Tarn and Brampton with Exile Peter

Its almost 6 weeks since we last saw Peter for a walk as he has now moved to Carlisle.We were keen to get him back with us on a regular basis and so was he after the stress of moving house just on the same day as his daughter in London gave birth to twins. We met him at Talkin Tarn and did a 5.5 mile walk round the Tarn and then on to Brampton along an old disused railway line and then back to Talkin through country lanes. Tom unfortunately had to call of due to him getting a visit from his cousin so it was a quiet walk with no arguments. 

Along the old railway line there were loads of Apple trees laded with fruit. 

John following a path through the field of Barley

While Peter and Niall keep to the edge and try to avoid the many Thistles

It looks from the distance to be a fairly good crop but I think it has suffered from a lack of rain during June and July. We completed the walk and then had a nice light lunch in the cafe at Talkin Tarn  and were back in Langholm by 2.00pm.

The sun was shining so Gaye and I went out for another walk. I pass this Rowan tree at Greenbank every morning  and rarely pay any attention to it but today the sun caught it in all its splendour and it looked magnificent.  

Talking our Way Round Talkin

We have been a few times to Talkin Tarn recently but it is such a nice place to walk so we found ourselves there again today. Instead of starting and finishing in Brampton this time we started at the Tarn and headed round it and then on to Brampton along the old disused railway. Tom and I had decided not to argue this week after our problems map reading last week. We came close a few times but managed to eventually agree on the route without John having to intervene. The weather was good and the crack was even better.  

Talkin Tarn which is about a mile round it. We walked round it before setting off for Brampton and in that time we met a lady jogger 4 times as she must have been doing a good few miles.  

Tarn End House Hotel which has been empty since 2004. It was bought from Cumbria County Council in 2009 by a company called Citadel for £450,000. Plans have been submitted for 18 x 2 Bedroom apartments and landscaped gardens and a jetty. The Council received 50 objections to the plans and only one letter of support so maybe they will never happen. Anything would be better than this eyesore in such a lovely place. 

We crossed the Carlisle to Newcastle railway line at Brampton Station. In future I might use it instead of Carlisle when we go to Newcastle on the train as car parking is free and it is so easy to get there. 

There was a train in on its way to Carlisle

In Brampton we stopped for a few minutes rest next to this roadside garden with daffodils and crocuses about to come into full bloom.  

The return path along a very muddy lane next to a nice little wood. We ended with Soup and a drink at the Tarn Cafe and were home by 2.30pm.