What are you all up to
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moulesy The cottage looks really lovely. I hope you enjoy your stay. I can thoroughly recommend a visit to NI. Lovely country and lovely people (perhaps I am biased
) Thank you for your kind wishes.Thanks everyone for your kind wishes, We are both still feeling below par and disappointed that we can't see our daughter on her birthday on Monday. After 2 'lockdown' birthdays we thought we could have a proper celebration this year but we have had to postpone it. But as R&R said 2 years ago we would have been terrified if we had caught covid but with the vaccination it is a week a two of feeling unwell and being confined to the house. It will soon pass. David yes we stayed overnight with our son and family in NI but they caught it from us not the other way round and our eldest son caught it while giving us a lift home from the airport. I think OH probably picked it up at the airport or on the flight. It is very infectious so there are a number of ways it can be passed on however careful we are.
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Goodness tda! Does Sue Pollard live in the area or was she visiting! I can't imagine her being any different. That sounds a lovely area.
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Visiting relatives I think she said, but she was born in Nottingham, so not far from home town. We are just West of Grantham, close to Belvior Castle. Lovely old villages scattered around, some nice churches. We shall definitely be back, the cycling/ walking is brilliant, not challenging as in hills, but some good routes well linked up and away from busy traffic. Not too far from home either, an easy hour down A1.π
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Well - I said yesterday, that the 'weekenders' would be arriving - and they did.
First van turns up - they have 2 acres to choose from and only one other unit here apart from us. Where did they pitch? Yes - as close to us as possible - too close for comfort really but since we are leaving tomorrow, I've said nothing.
It's a bit like a few weeks ago at home - I parked my car in the car park above the beach to take Meg for her walk. I was the only one there. When I came back, there were then a total of two cars in the car park and the second one had parked so close to my driver's door that I struggled to get in!
Rant over - but I just don't understand it - or am I missing something?
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After a very sunny but breezy 4 nights at Spey Bay, on the site run by the golf club, we are now at CCC Dingwall, which is more sheltered. Been into town for some shopping, and have managed to get a TV picture using the sat dish. 3 more nights here, then down the A 9 for 4 nights near Newtonmore, then home on the 30th.
DD has been up to our house to water plants and open mail, and rang to say that OH has a date for cataract surgery.....3rd May.....with a covid test arranged for 1st May. She had not expected it to be so soon as she only went on the "approved for treatment" list on 21st March.
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Woke up to a cloudless blue sky this morning, though with quite a stiff breeze, but that made things comfortable for walking.
Drove the short distance (about 1 mile!
) to Pendleton and walked to Downham and back via Worston (for those who know the area).Pendleton is an interesting village with a stream running along the middle of the main street, crossed by a couple of clapper bridges. It also has a pub with a most unusual name! At the end of the street, in a little green area which serves as a war memorial is something called the "fiddler bridge". Originally it also crossed the village stream but was moved some time around 1900 and brought back to the village in 2000. It no longer serves its original purpose!
We were a bit disappointed with Downham which we read was one of the prettiest villages in Lancashire but spoilt by too many visitors cars parked round the village green rather than using what looked like a perfectly adequate village car park (albeit necessitating a walk of maybe 200 metres to reach the village or, possibly, chipping into an honesty box.
)Just sitting out in pleasant early evening sunshine with a cuppa now, before cracking open a nce bottle of the red stuff with supper. π
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We travelled home today after a fabulous week in Ravenscar with the family, Grand daughter Serena was wonderful and we had plenty of cuddles π₯°
Can't quite believe we've just had a full week without any rain. π―
I even had a mention on the radio for my birthday.
As promised I've Posted a photo of my new bobble hat as worn by Micheala on Winterwatch, well not that one but one the same.π€£ I wore it at Bempton to impress the Puffins. The lamb picture is just because I thought it was cute.
Millie, sorry to hear you are feeling poorly with covid, wishing you a speedy recovery.
Moulsey have a good week away, can also recommend a Windmill at Ravenscar π
Ttda, glad you enjoyed your CL, there was a CL just up the road from where we were staying near Ravenscar that looked nice.
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Safety in numbers! We sat on an empty beach once and an unknown family joined us.
A bit breezy today but we braved the chilly outdoor weather and went to hear the Bridport Big Band playing in their home town, heaving with visitors and the music was great...a good street market was filling the pavements too. A lovely change after the last two very quiet years.
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Love the hat Helen. Where did you get it? Glad you had such a wonderful week.
That sounds a great day out brue. I had a bit of a wander round our garden this afternoon and although nice and sunny that wind was decidedly chilly.
That looks a very interesting village moulesy.
I hope Flyte is OK nellie. Our lovely cat Millie lost her hearing completely in old age and was terribly distressed at first but after a few weeks she settled down but never then went further than our garden where she felt safe. At least the fireworks didn't bother her.
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We had a lovely last day, a short drive to Belvior Castle from CL, Tough Mudder event on, but well away from castle and gardens. We decided to stick to walking around gardens this time, and it was a lovely sunny if breezy walk. Plenty of Spring colour, not many others about, popped into deli at the Engine Yard Shopping area, so a ice Homity Pie salad for lunch back at MH, with delicious local ice cream to finish. Easy drive home then across Vale of Belvior, pick up the road to Lowdham and Ollerton, and a last walk on edge of Clumber Park. Couldnβt have had a nicer few days to be honest, great CL, great location, some wonderful cycling and a couple o& nice Gardens.
Definitely a CL we will use again. I will do a review in next few days.
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Love the hat Helen. Where did you get it?
Millie, Trevor found it on "Etsy" it's hand knitted so there must be a pattern out there somewhere, although it's way beyond my knitting capability
Lovely bright and breezy day perfect for drying my holiday washing.
Seems a bit quiet now it's back to just the 2 of us, missing my morning baby cuddles,
Trevor is currently removing the tow bar from the car, we've decided reluctantly to change the car, the replacement doesn't have a tow bar. The garage said they would fit the tow bar for us, they would have taken it off to, but seeing as we fitted it he said he'd take it off.
Our Internet was fixed while away, seems much faster, they had to dig a hole in the newly done path.
Well tea break over, washing won't hang itself out
Will look out for your review ttda, sounds like a CL we would enjoy.
Have a good day folks.
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Cooler and cloudier today but still pleasant enough outside.
OH has been busy servicing and cleaning the bikes in prep for our up coming trip.
I'm having a pottering kind of day, done a bit in the garden. Packed my clothes into the MH, very early I know but we haven't had rain in over a week so you can bet it will do so when we want to take clothes out to itπ©
Think we might go for a bike ride soon.
H&T your week away sounded lovely.
Millie, hope you and OH are feeling better soon.
TDA, the CL sounds lovely and well placed will try to catch your review as I forgotten what it was called π€ͺ
If I've forgotten anything/anyone apologies I'm having a bit of a ditsy kind of day π π
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Yesterday was a "no cooking" day. We went up the M6 to Cranstons at Penrith. We haven't been since before March 2020, so it was a bit of a treat. Dinner in the cafe, then spent more than I intended to in the shop. Bulk backs of chicken and bacon (local) to split up and pop in the freezer. Frozen shrimps. A few pies for days when I don't feel like cooking, and English asparagus (as it was the first day of the season) and Jersey Royals. But no beef though, as the big freezer is full of our own. Tonight it will be fillet steak, asparagus and Jersey Royals.
Then last night my husband was presenting some of the prizes at the Lancashire & Westmorland Hedgelaying Association prizegiving dinner, so we enjoyed a lovely meal and talked all things farming with friends. We even won a raffle prize - a very welcome gift pack of miniature gins and various tonics.
A busy week ahead beckons, so I'm making the most of the calm.
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TG, H&T, the CL is Casthorpe House Farm. I have done a reviewπ
Will look Cranstons up Goldie for next time we are Penrith way. Have a nice mealπ
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Quite excited hereπ€ Before I went away, I submitted some photos to our local craft emporium. They got in touch while we were away, and want me to put some stuff into the big town shop, so I am packaging and making like crazy now, just hope folks are interested. Sis and I used to do Craft Fairs and the Show circuit, but itβs impossible now with our caring duties, so it might be a good way of using up lots of craft supplies, and it keeps us busy if we canβt get out much. Sis has an Etsy account as well for her stuff, but I havenβt bothered at the moment.
Helen, I think your lovely hat is a Pachamama, handmade in Nepal. Itβs a fair trade company, and they have lots of lovely designs. I did find a pattern, but not exactly the same, yours is nicerπ Pachamama sell through Etsy.0 -
Today we walked the "Tolkien Trail", from Hurst Green, so named because, according to the publicity, JRR Tolkien stayed at nearby Stonyhurst College (or one of its cottages) whilst writing Lord of the Rings.
It got off to an "interesting" start as, or sooner had we accessed the first footpath but the local farmers came roaring across on a quad bike with one of those automatic feed dispensers on the back, so we had to stop and wait for what must have been something like a couple of hundred sheep and lambs to race across in front of us - the noise was incredible! Luckily both dogs are calm so no great difficulty. ππ
We walked steeply down through woods thick with bluebells (picture doesn't really do it justice, though I suspect in another week or so they will be in full bloom) to the River Ribble and along the bank to Cromwell's Bridge. In 1648 Oliver Cromwell marched his New Model Army across it on the way to the Battle of Preston. The bridge is thought to have been the inspiration for Tolkien's "Brandywine Bridge". It's getting on for 50 years since I read the book, so I'll take their word for it!
The college buildings are quite impressive, though I had to go past a "private access, trespassers may be prosecuted" sign to take theffect picture.
Still a cold wind blowing, but a lovely bright day for all that.
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Had a good day today myself and 2nd youngest son weβre up early and away with the Mercedes club for their drive it day event took our classic Merc and done the 160 mile round trip no problems. After our drive we joined small car show for the afternoon which was great glorious weather and lots of lovely old cars. Still sunny here got to start getting the van ready for our 4 night break next week. Planning on taking our new awning with us to try it out.
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We arrived at Looe club site for 2 nights after crossing over from Roscoff and not a full ferry and only 2 lorries, only the self service cafe open due to a shortage of staff re Covid and masks on whilst on the ferry, Plymouth has changed since we have been there but once the other side of Saltash and easy trip to site and again very quiet about 30 outfits on site all grass pitches closed and looks like a lot of mowing to do, got a sea view from the caravan and the cherry blossom on the trees on site are lovely, off out shopping today as a fairly empty fridge and a trip to Trago Mills, off to Merrose Farm club site tomorrow for the rest of our stay and looking forward to going around a few gardens etc. Not used to all this traffic will have to adjust whilst here. The weather is sunny at present and not to cold.
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Did you have any problems getting from Millbay Docks to the Tamar Bridge, RK?
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Silage making like mad round here, hope you yours goes well! Will take note of Cranstons, we'll be up there fairly soon.
Hope you enjoy your stay on the Roseland RedKite, I expect you'll see many gardens at their best, a good base at Merrose, at least the traffic will be quieter round there.
Debating whether to add an extra day to our forthcoming short break, 3 instead of two nights, decision making is hard as we have jobs to get finished at home...
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Enjoy Cornwall RedKite. We stayed at Merrose Farm site last June and one garden we enjoyed, which is smaller than some of the better known ones, was Lamorran Gardens in St Mawes. Worth a look if you have time. We enjoyed some good meals at the Roseland Inn in Philleigh too.
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No sun today totally overcast.
Morning appointment with nurse for bloods and blood pressure check, bit higher than normal but still well within. It will be interesting to see if I have made any difference to my cholesterol levels over the last 6 months. I've change quite a few things and avoided others, should get result tomorrow.
Finally managed to get OHs clothes sorted out for packing in the MH, if only we had it. Its in the garage, developed a fault. Any wonder my blood pressure is up π π
Can't seem to get moving since I sat down for lunch, this won't do as I have lots to do.
Have a nice time in Cornwall Red kite.
Thanks for the name of the CL TDA I've added it to by little book π
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A fabulous day's walking today from the village of Sawley (which, historically, was in the West Riding of Yorkshire but now very much in Lancashire) along the River Ribble to Bolton in Bowland which is a very pretty village with the remains of an ancient cross and stocks on the village green and a couple of terraces of attractive whitewashed cottages. Stopped for lunch in The Spread Eagle which is just about as dog friendly as pubs come - they even have their own menu! π
Then past the remains of the Cistercian abbey and across farmland, hoping not to be noticed by a massive bull who fortunately couldn't be bothered to get up and chase us and across the ancient humpback bridge which is much narrower than it looks, so quite exciting getting the dogs over that!
This is a really lovely and much underrated part of the country, quieter than the lakes or dales, we only saw 2 other walkers the whole time we were out.
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Thanks for the CL details, definitely sounds like one we would like.
I checked my hat and yes, it's a Pachamama.
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It was back to work today, always hard after a holiday.
Not as much work to catch up with which was good. At least we get another long weekend next week. Nice photos Moulesy, sounds like you are having a good holiday. We did the Forest of Bowland area a few years ago and liked the area too.
Enjoy Cornwall Redkite.
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Thanks folks four comments and gardens will check that one heddlo and TW no problems with route just too many traffic lights and speed cameras and more traffic than we are used to and not looking forward to return journey once in Plymouth but will leave Merrose early and just take our time as we have 10pm sailing.
Now got food in the fridge and cupboards as fridge was nearly empty on the way over, did find a caravan sales place and manage to get a couple of things we needed. A few more on site tonight about 45 outfits still not very many. Has been mostly a sunny day here, off to Merrose Tuesday then we can put the awning up and settle for awhile thankfully, off to visit friends who have bought a holiday home at Praa Sands this Thursday as they have given up their caravan since middle of last year and we have not seen them for over two years so a lot to catch upon.
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