From Stamford to Whitehaven is 237 miles, so I decided to take the train and ease the strain. I set off from Grantham, coffee in hand, packed lunch in my backpack, en route to Newcastle. It was after I’d crossed country to Carlisle that the fun really began. Two train cancellations meant I had an unscheduled two and a half hour wait at the station. Definitely a heart sink moment. However, as luck would have it, the buffet was open and what a treat that was. No, not the coffee and cakes, but the roof. I’m told this was built in preparation for a visit from Queen Victoria that never took place, although I can’t find any references to it. Anyway, this is what I call a feast for sore eyes and I think a great deal of my joy was that it was such a surprise.
Travelling down the coast I arrived just as it began to rain.
Then I went the wrong way along Queen Street for my Airbnb turning left instead of right ending up at St James Church. Altogether not a great start as it’s quite a climb up there with luggage. However, all was soon well and after my first day in the Cumbria archives I was well on my way with material for the sequel to “The Shackletons of Whitehaven”.
I met up with Jackey Savage who writes the “Streets of Whitehaven Through Time” on Facebook. Fascinating information about the people who lived in the houses, their relationships, and occupations. always good to meet like-minded people. She told me my Airbnb was once a furniture dealer’s shop run by George Quin selling “Carved Oak Cabinets of the 16th Century”. Wonderful.
I called in at Moon’s book shop on Lowther St to pass the time of day with Michael Moon. https://moonsbookshop.co.uk/ Delighted to see two of my books on display. I’ve been buying books about Whitehaven from this shop for over 35 years. Needless to say I came away with several books on 19th century shipping. All grist for the mill for me.
I spent a lot of time walking around imagining where my characters would be and what they were seeing. I try to erase modern Whitehaven and see it in its Victorian state which is not easy. Here are some photographs including St James Church where many of my relatives were Christened and married. Good to see conservation work around the harbour too.
Finally, why am I drawn to write about Whitehaven? – it seems it’s in my DNA.
From Lorna's Command Centre 