Trip 2011

The day started with a fine English breakfast at the Balcony House Bed and Breakfast, then moved on to trying to get help from the car rental company (good luck, that!), then The Generosity of Strangers prevailed.

With two new tires on the back of the rental car, we were back on the road by about 11:00 AM.  Unfortunately, the weather was not going to cooperate with us – low clouds, some rain, and a bit of a chill caused us to heed the advice of our host and NOT try to drive up to the Hardknott Fort, the old Roman fort of Megiobogdum.  While the Hardknott Pass is only about 1300 feet in elevation, the road is only wide enough for about a car and a half, is very slick in places – even without rain or ice, and has about a 33% grade.  Considering everything that had happened in the last 15 hours or so, we choose not to go up to the fort.  Instead, we went directly to Ravenglass (where we were going to have to go to get to Hardknott anyway).

In Ravenglass, we had lunch at a pub called “The Ratty Arms” which used to be the old train station.  A warm fire, a delicious meal and fun conversation with the two ladies serving up food and drink made this a memorable experience.

The Ratty Arms Pub in Ravenglass was previously the train station. While the station is still there, the building doesn't serve that function any longer. Automation once again takes its toll.

After lunch, we walked a little over a half a mile to the Roman Bath House which was down a well maintained gravel road.  The bath house actually was outside the fort called Glannaventa by the Romans.  The ruins of the bath house are the only thing that remain above ground, although the ground contours of the fort ramparts appear to still be visible.

Remains of the Roman Bath House at Ravenglass. In the land of superlatives, this ruin is among the tallest Roman structures remaining in northern Britain. The walls are nearly 13 feet tall.

The walk back to the car park didn’t seem nearly as long as the walk out to the Bath House.  Back into the car, and on to Carlisle for our evening lodging at the Warren Guest House.  The navigator did a tremendous job getting us through downtown Carlisle during the evening rush hour!