As we had just finished Hadrian's Wall path we were starting the Cumbria Way from the north, the opposite direction to which most guidebooks describe the route.
We had returned to Carlisle from the end of Hadrian's Wall and stayed in Langleigh House for a second night. We set out from here just after 9.00 am and headed into town to pick up a sandwich for our packed lunch.
There is no definite point to really start the walk in the city so we followed the road out past the Citadel, through industrial buildings and gas towers to reach the River Caldew and the official start of the path.
We joined the footpath close to the weir and old mill buildings, now converted to apartments. This took us along the overgrown riverbank towards the prominent chimney at Cummersdale.
From Cummersdale we crossed the river and followed a tarmac cycle track between the river and the railway line. It was now quite sunny and warm as we progressed toward Dalston. We saw a variety of bird life, including reed bunting, yellowhammer, several swallows and a buzzard.
As we neared the village there was a very strong sweet smell emanating from the Nestle factory bordering the path.
Dalston was a large village with a central square surrounded by red sandstone church of St Michael's, a few houses, a handful of shops and the Bluebell pub.
Leaving Dalston behind we passed through the villages of Buckabank and Bridge End. The path headed up away from the river and entered the grounds of Hawksdale Hall. We followed a good track running through very pleasant open farmland.
Beyond the hall the footpath led across the landscaped area around Lime House school.
Soon the view ahead opened out towards the northern fells, although cloud was looming over the tops. We rejoined the river at a bend where sand martins darted to and fro above the water.
The grand building of Rose Castle is the formal residence of the Bishops of Carlisle. We stopped on the riverbank near here for our packed lunch and watched a herd of cows having a drink in the river.
The next stretch took us along the River Caldew for 2.5 miles, then we crossed over the river and followed a track up past Sebergham Hall.
The sun was still shining for us as we reached Sebergham church. The dark clouds still kept passing over the hills ahead. The small church was very pretty with roses growing along the fence.
We dropped down into Sebergham village and crossed the River Caldew for the last time.
We followed along the edge of Dentonside wood, initially on a good track which eventually gave way to a footpath through meadow land.
As the fields came to an end we entered into the mixed conifer and deciduous woodland to follow the ocasionally muddy riverside path. The woods were at times quite dense and provided only brief glimpses of the river. Where the trees thinned bright gleams of sunshine sparkled through.
Half way through the woods the path turned steeply uphill on a less well defined path. Where trees had previous been cleared here young silver birches were shooting up and wild flowers added a splash of colour.
We soon emerged from the woods onto open farmland with great views over the Caldew valley below.
We reached Caldbeck at 3.30. We were staying at the Oddfellows Arms and so headed there and sat in the beer garden to enjoy a cold drink in the afternoon sunshine.
We enjoyed a lovely evening meal in the restaurant at the pub and then had a stroll around the village afterwards.
Evening Meal: Oddfellows Arms - Good choice of tasty food
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