It's a lovely autumnal afternoon. Skies are a little overcast but the weather's fine and so I thought we'd visit the village of Cartmel in my county of Cumbria (north west England) and take a little walk around the old streets.
Cartmel is dominated by the ancient Priory which was built by Augustian monks in the 12th century. It is a wonderful old building that watches over the higgledy-piggledy cluster of houses that make up the village.
It is quite easy to slip back in time in Cartmel and imagine yourself living in the past but I'm afraid the many cars parked haphazardly sadly spoil this illusion.
I would be quite happy to live in any of the old village houses.
I love the pretty aqua shade of paint used at number 9, and just look at those window boxes.
Most house have no front gardens but to reach this little cottage you must open a pretty white gate nestling under an arched hedge of carefully clipped evergreens.
This little place used to be one of my favourite shops in the village but it closed several years ago and is now a private dwelling (and a very pretty one too).
If you lived in this little waterside home you could sit and dream all day on your terrace and throw the occasional morsels to passing ducks.
There are old properties tucked around every corner. Being of great age they often require major renovation work which seems to be what is happening here.
No two cottage are alike. Most are private homes but there are just a few shops.
Is this pretty bow window a shop or a home I wonder? Is that doggy real or is he a toy dog being offered for sale. Let's take a closer look ....
.... just as I thought...
he's a real dog, watching the world go by.
I wonder what the little fellow is thinking.
Before leaving we'll take refreshments at the Kings Arms, an old hostelry that will have fortified many a weary traveller over the centuries.
The afternoon sun has now dipped below the rooftops and I can feel a distinct autumn chill in the air. I think it's time to return to the car and head for home.
We'll go through the medieval gatehouse which once formed one of the entrances to the monastery.
As we pass more 'postcard pretty' cottages I fear you will hear me complain about the rash of wheelie bins that now blight our British streets and front gardens. Not so long ago our bins were concealed in back yards and emptied weekly but sadly not any more. Refuse collection is now done fortnightly and bins on wheels (wheelie bins) must be deposited at the front of properties or they will remain unemptied. This poor little cottage seems to be standing guard over a wheelie bin collection point.
I love this vintage metal sign which dates from the 1930s.
Properties in Cartmel aren't offered for sale very often. I envy the new owner of this house. What a wonderful place to live.
Before we leave the old village let me tempt you with this old garden summerhouse adjoining the river. It conjures up images of afternoon tea and games of croquet on the lawn.
As always our car is parked under the old blue cedar tree in the shadow of the mighty Priory. The clock has just struck four and it is sadly time to leave this lovely place. I hope you've enjoyed your visit.
Until next time,
Eli
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