Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

Arriving at Ravenglass

Scafell from Dalegarth

Let me out

Watching Tova

Green and pleasant land

Ravenglass estuary

On the turntable

Irton Road station

My first ice cream cone was  a life-shaping moment

The excuse for a visit to the Ravenglass and Eskdale miniature railway was our granddaughter, but she would have been just as happy emptying the contents of the fridge. The other reason was the chance to drive over Wrynose and Hard Knott passes on a summer's day. It is reassuring to travel in cars that no longer need a brake bleed before attempting the 30º incline of the Hard Knott pass, or to have the uncertainty of whether they will overheat on the ascent. Life with a Morris Minor always generated these sorts of adventures and honed my sense of optimism. 

We arrived at Dalesgarth station just a few minutes before the first steam-hauled train of the day departed and blagged our way onto the empty coach at the rear. Tova was nonplussed by the occasion and insisted on watching the scenery by leaning out of the carriage and pointing at the sheep and cows that had been mere pictures in books before this journey. Ravenglass was reached as the midday sun reached its zenith. We walked along the estuary to generate an appetite before retiring for lunch in a pub garden. 

There are still four steam locomotives in regular use on the railway, but our return journey was by diesel. We treated ourselves to an ice cream on reaching Ravenglass. Simon gave Tova a sampler from the bottom of his cone; Tova then grabbed her dad's and showed an indomitable spirit in refusing to have it taken away. It was one of those turning points in a child's life when they declare their sixth sense, independence.