Talkin Country Park was opened up by Carlisle City Council for general recreation and boating,

so the car parking is good and there's a lovely little cafe for lunch at the end of the walk.

One of those weird panoramas on the phone that seem to distort reality.

The track round the lake is in fact a gentle oval, not a sharp bend like this, but at lease it gives an impression of the half mile wide lake.

The dots out on the lake are just some of the many birds and wild fowl that take advantage of this lovely inland water.

Part way round was an old stately home which later became a hotel.

The old hotel closed and the building became derelict.

This was the building when I visited here back in 2016.   There was talk but no sign of a future for it.

Today a beautiful transformation lies before us, with the old house repaired and extended.

I believe it has been made into residential apartments.

The development includes a new summer house closer to the lake.  

The all-purpose path circles the whole lake giving easy access to all.

. . . even the hedgehogs, who seem to grow large and thrive on the lakeside vegetation.

Nearly full circle now as we pass the boat park and head back for a fine soup and sandwich lunch at the cafe.

- - - o o o - - -

My older dog Dylan was nine on the 23rd of January which coincided (more or less) with this visit from Sophie and Chris.

We often meet up at this time of year to celebrate Chris and my birthdays too, so it was a triple celebration tonight.

[ The recipe included grated carrot, breadcrumbs and was bound with an egg, by the way.]

- - - o o o - - -

There have been several other entertaining evenings recently,

the first was at a Ullock Village Hall . . .

. . . where we were invited to join a sociable dance evening and supper.

Our musical host entertained us on accordion to a classic evening of folk dancing, both Scottish and English.

This one looks like a classic "Strip the Willow" dance.	Our Musician and Caller tonight was Alison Riley

A big thanks to Alison who can be contacted  on 07787 508391, should you wish to host a Cumbrian Ceilidh yourselves.

- - - o o o - - -

Burns Night is a celebration of the Scottish Poet and Lyricist who is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.

As here in Cumbria we are not far from the Scottish border (in fact this area was Scottish at one time)

we still see his birthday as an excuse for a fine Loweswater Village get-together.

This year we celebrate in style again as our haggis is piped into the hall.