Cumbrian Coast

A nice weekend in The Lakes, so there is only one place to go...away from the Lakes. It is getting increasingly difficult to find parking these days whether it be paid or free, especially if you aren't an early riser like me! It's sometimes easier and more time saving to cut your losses by heading straight to the fringes or coast. If you know the right places to go, you can still have a very enjoyable day. I've always liked Whitehaven even though it does have its problems. 

A lot of the towns and villages on the Cumbrian coast have serious economic problem, probably due to the running down of the now extinct coal mining industry and High Harrington, which is on the outskirts of Workington seems to be one such places and I can't remember how I first came across it. The main street leading to the harbour needs rejuvenating but the harbour itself is very attractive and great walks can be had along its coastline. I should imagine that its a great place to be when the gales are coming in from the Atlantic and the waves are crashing over the sea defences. It was quite a calm on the day I visited but still there was some good wave action and the short stroll along the coast was quite invigorating to say the least. I know it must have its drawbacks but I really envy people who live in the vicinity of the coast. After being in the hills, it is my next most favourite place to be.

It was then on to Whitehaven for a good stroll around the harbour and marina areas. The place is seeped in history so there is always something of interest to photograph and explore. There are various memorials and displays to it's past tobacco and coal mining industries plus The Beacon museum which again has exhibitions about past industries along as ones about the areas Roman history and the history of the town and harbour itself.  

Whitehaven also has a close association with America. John Paul Jones was a Scot who had learnt his seafaring trade in Whitehaven and who would become the founding father of the American navy. After sailing to America on the "Friendship of Whitehaven", Jones grew up as an adopted American - returning to Whitehaven in the late 1770s. During this time, the wars of independence were playing out and John Paul Jones, now a commander in the Continental Navy set sail for Europe. In 1778, The Ranger was sailing up the western coast, causing havoc on British vessels. Whitehaven was the only harbour where Jones and his crew landed and, intoxicated with the local rum, ran amok in the town. Whitehaven was the only place where he actually set foot and the incident is remembered with a series of statues on the South Harbour quayside, called ‘The Whitehaven Battery’. There is also a museum in the town called The Rum Story which also deals with this.
The harbour part of the town has been redeveloped and is usually a hive of activity with no shortage of cafes and a few bars thrown in and the weather has always been quite favourable to me. I've seen atrocious weather in The Lakes yet beautiful sunshine on the coast many times. So there you have it, if you are ever stuck for something a bit different to do when you visit the Lakes, try a day out at the coast. It can be very rewarding.

High Harrington

High Harrington

High Harrington

Sea Wall, High Harrington

High Harrington

Sea Break, High Harrington

High Harrington

Shadows, Whitehaven Harbour

Whitehaven Harbour

Rusty Rivets, Whitehaven Harbour

Memorial, Whitehaven Harbour

AAAA seat, Whitehaven Harbour

The End of an Era, Whitehaven Harbour

The End of an Era, Whitehaven Harbour

 Whitehaven Harbour

West Strand, Whitehaven

Reflections, Whitehaven Marina

Reflections, Whitehaven Marina

Reflections, Whitehaven Marina

C2C

 Whitehaven Marina

The Vagabond Pub

Oh Shuggar!!

Union  Flag

Lybia B, Whitehaven Marina.