The Myth of the Peaceful Countryside Life
People often tell us how peaceful it feels at Cardewlees. Lovely views. Quiet fields. Fresh air. Space to breathe. All very wholesome. Then they shoot off to Carlisle for pizza or a pint because the city has more places to eat than my children have moods.
Why We Even Needed a Track
What many visitors do not realise is that you do not even need the car. We have a track. A proper one. A track born from pure teenage complaining.
As the kids grew up they developed a talent for dramatic statements. They looked over our fields, ponies and sunsets with deep sorrow and said the same line again and again.
“I wish we lived in Carlisle.”
They said it with such conviction you would think we had trapped them on a desert island instead of giving them a childhood that eight year old me would have sold my Nana for. I grew up on a council estate longing for ponies, fields and a bit of quiet. Life really enjoys a plot twist.
Enter Johnny and His Shovel
To restore some peace in the house Johnny ventured outside with his shovel and tools. That man thrives on a project. Give him soil and a purpose and he enters his happy place. Hour after hour he shaped a proper route from the campsite to Dalston.
What the Track Lets You Do
The track brings you out near Dalston train station with only one road to cross. From there you can grab coffee, pick up bits from the independent shops, or jump on the bus or train straight into Carlisle. If you enjoy a good stomp you can even follow the final stretch of the Cumbrian Way and walk all the way into the city. The riverside route is calm, pretty and perfect for anyone who likes to feel accomplished before a fry up.
The Honest Bits You Need to Know
The bridge over the railway makes the route tricky for wheelchairs. The walk back up to the site has a bit of a pull as well. For that reason we plan to add several benches for the twenty twenty six season so everyone can pause, admire the view, and pretend they needed a rest for scenic appreciation rather than survival.
Why This Track Matters to Us
This path means a lot to our family. It gave the kids independence. It helps campers explore without the car. It also makes a perfect warm up before heading to Keswick for the classic Lake District walks around Catbells, Derwentwater, Borrowdale and the rest of the fells that people love to talk about but rarely climb.
It brings together everything that feels like Cardewlees.
Calm fields.
A friendly village.
Easy trips to Carlisle.
And a family living a slightly chaotic but happy life in the middle of it all.
A tiny track.
A big difference.
One less thing for the kids to complain about.
For now.
