Not only is the spectacular scenery and hospitality a tourist attraction, but an added allure is the sense of mystery, secrecy and maybe a touch of disbelief surrounding many of the regionÂ's venues.
A century or so ago, travelers wishing to cross Lake Windermere between Ferry Nab and Sawrey on the opposite shore used the services of a boatman and his small rowing-boat. One particularly stormy night, a voice was heard to call for transport from the wooded slopes of Claiffe Heights on the Sawrey side of the water. The boatman duly set off to collect what he assumed was a passenger, but, disappeared en-route. Later on the following day, the boatman was found laying on the lake shore, incoherent and in deep shock. He died shortly afterwards. Thus was established the legend of the Â"Crier of ClaiffeÂ".
Moving a few miles south to the village of Natland, near Kendal, the visitor is faced by the sticky problem of unraveling the riddle of the Treacle Mines whose exact location, has, over the centuries, remained a closely guarded secret known only to a few of the village elders.
Sadly, researchers can no longer enlist the assistance of the notable, but long dead Scots bo wizard, Michael Scott. Scott is credited with casting a spell on a coven of witches and tuing them into the stones which now constitute the circle of Â"Long MegÂ" near Penrith. Folklore states that if a visitor can count the number of stones twice, and arrive at the same total each time, then the spell will be broken. However, be waed; any attempt to dislodge the stones will invoke a weather storm of cataclysmic power.
This area is rich in Arthurian Legend. One account recounts the episode where Arthur and his nephew joined forces to outwit the scheming Grim Baron. Their quest, set by the Baron, to search the true answer to the question Â"what does a woman desireÂ" makes entertaining reading. And, what of the mystery of the Giants Grave found in the churchyard of PenrithÂ's St. Andrews Church?
Leaving Penrith behind and continuing north to the regionÂ's capital, Carlisle, we find the Â"Cursing StoneÂ" standing in the entrance of a pedestrian underpass not too far from the ancient castle. This 14 tons of recently sculpted stone bears the 1069 words of a 16thC curse chiseled into the surface. The curse concludes by condemning the marauding Border Reivers of the age to Â"the deep pit of HellÂ". Recently, there have been calls for the stoneÂ's removal from the city by some who believe that its presence brings ill-fortune.
On a lighter note, a visit to the beautiful but uncompromising stretch of Wastwater may reveal the position of the underwater gnome garden. This is an area where, with a little imagination, the inspiring setting will transport you on any jouey of your choice to a world of magic and mystery.
These are but a few of the many tales, fanciful or otherwise, which have enchanted generations over the centuries. There is nothing to compare (in my opinion) to a good ya told over a drink in a log-fired pub amongst friends, old and new.
Incidentally, did I really see a 3 legged dog, wearing a life-jacket on the shores of Lake Windermere one moing, and was it wearing a space-helmet?
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
Peter Scott was bo and bred in The English Lake District. After a successful career as an aircraft engineer, Peter and his son, David, run a website promoting all aspects of The Lake District with their new website: www.wordsworthcountry.com
No comments:
Post a Comment