Re: Back again...
Thanks for the messges. The water level was pretty high in Ullswater - almost up to road level in places.
We were quite impressed with Carlisle. Long ago when we used to visit the Lakes, the M6 didn't go that far north. We had to drive through Dumfries and Carlisle, but never stopped in either - other than for petrol.
It's not a large or particularly tidy city and still has a lot of cobbled streets. The centre still has a lot of independant shops and a covered market as well as large High street stores. There are plenty of bars and cafes and some decent ales.
I'd happily stop off there again the next time I'm in Cumbria.