Carlisle October 2001

We decided that we had had enough of the big city life of Glasgow, so on the spur of the moment, we decided to jump on the first bus, and run away to Carlisle. Carlisle is about 120 miles south of Glasgow, so it was only a couple of hours in bus time. We didn't really know what to expect, and we had a wonderful time.

As it happened, we arrived in Carlisle at Guy Fox night. We asked the locals what was happening, and they told us to go to the park, where there would be some fireworks and other happenings. The opening picture is of them burning a 3 storey house. It was mainly made up of tree trunks, and plywood, but when we first got to the park during the early evening, we thought it was a haunted house. And, it truely was. Skeletons, cats, ghosts and goblins started running around the house, then I guess the locals got scared, so in traditional English fashon, they torched the house. Kim and I just though they would have a few fireworks around the house, but after 30 minutes the entire house was ablaze. It was amazing. The croud was amazed.

Compare this picture to the first one. Notice anything different? The lady with the pink hat is either a ghost (why else would she just appear out of nowhere) or she is a pickpocket. Hey, get out of his bag!!!

Carlisle Castle is situated on what looks like a man made hill. This is looking towards the castle. It appears that there was also a pretty good size moat as well. The moat was originally full of fresh, clean water, bubbling with trout and used for bathing by only the cleanest of souls. NOT! This is probably the only time where you don't want a place within sniffing distance of the river.

What is in the castle, you ask? Well, lets just wonder by, and take a look.

We are now looking from the front of the castle. On the other side is a little cliff which has been added too with the castle walls. This is looking down towards the city.

This shot was taken from the inner castle walls, looking down onto the outer walls and to the city below. To the centre left is the park.

This was also taken from the inner castle walls, looking onto the outer walls and towards the park. In the middle of the field you can just make out two sandy pits that look like sand traps - these are infact where they burned down the house for Guy Fox night.

We were allowed to run through the castle. This shot is of Kim looking out from a touret. You don't notice the fear on her face, as as it happens William Wallace is storming the castle as we take this picture.

We are looking thru a surprise touret placement. The baddies would run down the hill, and then... well, you know. The moat would have also been filled in with water, so once you're down, there's little chance of getting back, especially with your boots full of trout!

This is a shot of the Dammed Stone. A little history here - there was a curse where the people of Carlisle would curse the waring clans and tribes that kept attacking. This wasn't just your basic name calling or hair pulling, but this curse covered everything that one could think of. It curses the person's family, parents, children, animals, home, and farm. And just when you think that would be enough, they start cursing your fingers, nails, head, hair, toes, hands, arms and legs. You can also buy this on a tablet, but I think you get the message. You can also get it as a body tattoo, but if you're short, it all won't fit.

Here is another angle of the Dammed Stone.

Now, incase you didn't know, I'm a little Scottish. Probably why I was able to get the work visa so easy. Well, as it turns out, the Kerr's (Carr's ancestors) were quite big on the pillaging, and had a very large region. As a result, we really weren't welcome in Carlisle. Or England for that matter. Oh the shame. But those were different times.