Tuesday 15 February 2011

ABC Wednesday - Eskdale

This old advertisement was in the little history centre which tells the story of the Ravenglass and Eskale Railway, from its 1875 beginning in industry when it took iron ore down the valley to the port of Ravenglass, and  its history of  carrying passengers and eventually holidaymakers, on this miniature railway track.
 River Mite (2-8-2) Steam Engine
It is still a popular tourist ride down, what this poster calls "the most beautiful valley in Lakeland", now there may be some dispute and other contenders for that title, but it is a very pretty ride on the train.

Eskdale is one of the starting routes to climb England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, part of  the group of mountains know as the Scafell range.  The reason I took a photo of this poster is the marketing of the area  as 'The English Alps' which I found quite amusing, it should have added, 'in miniature', for the highest point is only 3,209 feet.
An annotated view of the Scafell group (where would we be without Wikipedia info) the photo is taken from Crinkle Crags which is part of another valley, Langdale, this also could be another good contender for "most beautiful valley" .  Here is Eskdale's upper end,
verdant valley and small fells which eventually lead out and up to the higher reaches. Being lakeland of course I have to include the
local  hill sheep of the valley.  
The River Esk flows down the valley
on its way to the coast where it will join two other rivers to flow into the Irish Sea.  Many streams run down from the tops to fill the river, the most well know of which is the

one mentioned on the poster, Stanley Ghyll, which always has a steady stream (don't groan), of people strolling up and down, in various stages of fitness to look at the run of many  little

waterfalls. 
Time to take the train home? 
 Climb Aboard. Perhaps don your anorak, I've got mine on;  and watch the trains



Entertain yourself with a visit to ABC Wednesday where there will be lots more words starting with E

13 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Oh, what a lovely place! And such a great one for the E Day! Love the waterfall! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!

Sylvia
ABC Team

photowannabe said...

This looks like an exciting adventure and your photos show how lovely the "English Alps" really are.

Kay L. Davies said...

What a wonderful little train for E day!
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Roger Owen Green said...

never heard of English Alps - Swiss and Italian, yes!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Wanda said...

Oh what a great tour. The pictures are so stunning. Love that stone bridge, and the sheep...so beautiful. Thanks for the ride.

Tumblewords: said...

A super tour - thank you - love the bridge and the waterfall. The train looks like fun, indeed.

Misfit in Paradise said...

English Alps. A place to add to my 'want to visit' list.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

I wonder how they got the tracks across that mountain range! What a lovely train and tour!

VioletSky said...

It looks very different from the England I have seen. I wonder what went on on Sept 27th that it was 'excepted'?

Chubskulit Rose said...

Simply beautiful!

E is for Eyes that Glow

annies home said...

great pictures thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

beautiful landscape! great captures!

jabblog said...

The 'English Alps' may not be very high but they're treacherous enough in bad weather.
Love the railway:-)