Not gypsum

Last night Gordon went a talk in Kirkby Stephen about the Cumbrian Gypsum mining and processing industry and, although he already knew quite a lot about it, he came back full of information. So, today we were to go to Little Salkeld to explore the remains of the now abandoned mines, which are there. At least he was going to explore the workings, I was going along for the walk . . . and lunch. Because of course lunch had to be at the Mill in Little Salkeld, a wonderful place we have not been to for a while.

Lovely lunch and Gordon was able to stock up with flour, all ground at the still working water mill. Then we set off along a path, which we knew very well. It used to be part of a circular walk, taking in Lacy’s Caves and the Long Meg stone circle. We have done this walk many times, and taken our children and friends on it. If you timed it right you could go to the Mill for coffee and return in time for tea and cake! 

Sadly it is no longer possible to get to the caves safely, as there has been a lot of path erosion, but it still makes a good walk, alongside the railway line, and with the River Eden snaking its way through the valley down below. Gordon went ahead and spent a long time exploring amongst the mine buildings and sidings and goodness knows what else. I just wandered, talked to people and took photos.

That’s where I came across this sculpture, which is a portrayal of the River Eden and locates four local villages. It seems to have been made by children from these village schools with the help of a ceramic artist. I can find out no more about it, but I was quite taken with it. It looks to have to have been there for a while, but I don’t remember ever noticing it before.

A beautiful spring day with lots of sunshine . . . and Celandines are out.