A Wet Walk at Talkin Tarn

Despite a poor weather forecast Mike, Charlie and myself decided we would still have our walk at Talkin Tarn and just dress accordingly and take umbrellas. It did rain heavily at times, but it was also dry for 50% of our walk and the chat was excellent. This Gorse is looking good next to the Tarn.

Charlie & Mike inspect a hedge of Blackthorn

This tree was covered the whole length of its trunk by this Ivy

This is Wood Anemone and Mike explained it grows in the shade of trees. 

This pair of lambs were very pleased to see us

On a small pond next to Brampton Station we saw this pair of Swans building a nest.

If you look closely between the trees you will see a Goose on this small pond

Most of the time these pylons are not too intrusive, but this is a massive one and it seems to dominate the field it is in.

One of the three B roads we walked along near Talkin Tarn. The walk was about 4 miles and most enjoyable despite the rain. We decided to have our usual Coffee after the walk at The Buccleuch Centre and despite it being very busy with lunches prior to a film being shown we were soon found a table and served with our Coffee in no time at all.

 

A Walk at Talkin Tarn and Brampton

For the first time in many months we crossed the border into England for our Wednesday walk. No David today as he is away to St. Andrews on business and he has missed his first walk for 8 weeks so it was just me and Tom. The destination was Talkin Tarn and Brampton along the old mineral railway built in 1798 built to bring coal from workings on Tindale Fell. First of all a walk round the Tarn and this lovely Duck was diving every few seconds but I managed to get it in-between dives. I think it is a Tufted Duck but I am sure my friend Harry will keep me right there.

Talkin Tarn which is a kettle hole lake formed 10,000 years ago by mass glacial action. The Tarn is fed by underground streams and it covers 65 acres and there is a 1.3 mile path round it.  

From the Tarn we headed over a field to Brampton Station on the Carlisle to Newcastle railway line. The branch line to Brampton joined it here but it closed in 1923. We enjoyed a 15 minute coffee break in the covered section on the left hand platform.

On the outskirts of Brampton is this lovely Beech hedge

This used to be the Tarn End House Hotel but it was derelict for many years until a local property developer demolished it and turned it into very desirable flats. 

Next to Brampton station is this small pond where this family of Swans are resident.

This is one of the lovely lanes we walked along on our walk.

The old Brampton railway line.

Its lovely walking along the edge of a field of Barley

This is called Wood's Hill and it has always impressed me as I walked past it. 

This was the route we took for our 6.7 mile walk which we ended with a Cappuccino at the Cafe beside the Tarn. 

 

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.