Two days in West Cumbria.

My eldest daughter, who drove the Morgan for the first time just a couple of days ago said that she would like to revisit The Ravenglass and Eskdale narrow gauge railway.

Not a man to poo-poo such an idea, accommodation was arranged for one night at The Pennington in Ravenglass, an ancient Roman port on the Cumbrian coast, my intention being to drive up to Wastwater on the first day and spend the second on the railway.

Under blue skies and in brilliant sunshine we set off on the 2 hour drive from home, finally taking a right turn after Broughton in Furness to take us over Ulpha Fell, into Eskdale and thence into Wasdale and England's deepest lake.

The views when driving across Ulpha Fell are spectacular and I remember a Summers day a couple of years ago, when I parked the Morgan and Helen and myself listened to the skylarks flying above us, a sound that I hadn't heard since childhood, when I used to play in the meadows surrounding our village until farming methods changed and the developers moved in.

But I digress. As we drove through Wasdale the excitement was palpable as we waited for the first view of Wastwater, a wild, mysterious lake with water that appears black due to it's depth with the dramatic Screes plunging down into it from the Scafell Pike massif on the south side.

 And then it was there, in all its majesty, and we stopped to appreciate Britains 'Favourite View'.

There was a strong wind from the east, with squalls that were lifting the water from the surface of the lake, all adding to the effect. In fact while we were looking across to Great Gable at the eastern end of the lake we were hit and almost drenched by a direct hit from one of these squalls that almost took us off our feet!

Herdwick Sheep being driven over the ancient bridge at Wasdale Head.

The River Irt flowing under it.

Time for a beer and chips at the 'Wasdale Head Inn', a renowned mountaineering venue and then on to Ravenglass to check in at our hotel, that proved to be first class in every respect.

The main street in Ravenglass with our hotel in the middle distance on the right.

During the rest of the day we walked around this very special little place, both on the main street and on the beach, something we also did the following day, before our train was due.

Tide out at Ravenglass

Looking south with Black Combe in the hazy distance

Fings ain't what they used to be! Black and white shot taken in the main street at Ravenglass

We had been so lucky with the weather and the sun still shone as we climbed into our carriage for the 40 minute trip from Ravenglass to Dalegarth.

Our engine 'Northern Rock' reversing up to the train.

Wonderful as ever, it being our third or fourth time over the years, and certainly appreciated by the rest of the party especially perhaps our two grandsons.

Raring to go!

The pictures tell the story of a fantastic two days.

Two little boys approve!

Approaching Irton Station

Glorious scenery en route

Turning her around at Dalegarth

'Double Header'

What a great trip!