Cragside

Iron bridge

We woke up to  brilliant blue skies – a true summer’s day – hurray.  We decided to explore Cragside today – a huge National Trust Estate not far from here.  It is home to the first home powered by hydro-electricity and I’m sure would have been really interesting to learn about it all, if you didn’t have a 6 year old constantly tugging at you to move on.  Oh hum…  

Cragside House

The main reason we went was to do some walking as the estate is absolutely enormous and riddled with paths.  We decided to do a 3 mile walk which would take us to the top of the estate, round by a lake and to the adventure playground.  It sounded perfect for us.  First stop though was the rock garden and an iron bridge spanning, both of which were really handsome.  Then we headed off on the walk.  Tom was our pathfinder,  we were his troops.  Every time he spotted a red disc which waymarked our route, he would shout ‘attention’ and we would have to stand to attention and salute him.  Just as well we didn’t bump into anyone we knew!!!!!

Soldiers standing to 'ATTENTION'

The walk was very pleasant amongst Rhododendrons which were beginning to burst into colour.  There were very many large boulders from the crags, the sky was blue, the views very pleasant which made for a good  time.  The path seemed much much longer than the 3 miles it was advertised at (Matt’s app on his phone recorded it as just over 5 in the end?} it did take quite a while to get to the children’s play area – mind you with all the saluting, view spotting, tree climbing (Matt found a good one and went a fair way up) we weren’t exactly moving fast!  

Tree climber

We got to the adventure play area at noon, so Tom had a little play and then we picked up some sandwiches for lunch and went and had them down by the lake – a very lovely outlook.  We went down for a look afterwards and found lots of fat tadpoles (no frogs though – boo!).

Someone here is heavy!

We carried on round the trail and before too long found ourselves back at the house.  We decided to go for a tour round as it is newer than most National Trust properties and with the hydro-electric connection we thought it would be interesting (it used to have a hydro-electric powered elevator in it).  

Luminous leaves

However, it was stuffed full of people and Tom was in his usual  ‘lets do this as fast as possible mode’.  We did see some good bits though including a fantastic plunge pool (almost Japanese in style) and spa area.  There was the most enormous marble fire place on the second floor – bigger than anything I’ve ever seen before.  There were also quite a few Japanese exhibits (apparently the family had business connections over there).  The kitchen was enormous with one of the biggest and most handsome ranges I have ever seen – shame we visited today as tomorrow they are having a special baking day.  The rooms and architecture was pretty interesting – given a chance I would like to go again without the crowds.

3 men

Once done (Tom had a quiz to find lots of musical exhibits) we headed back to the car and then drove the Estate drive which takes you 6 miles around the grounds including right through the main house (very surprising!).  This was lovely , we parked up in a car park  for the Rhododendron labyrinth which we did.  Tom decided he was our guide, to be fair to him, he found the centre without too much bother, then Matt and I guided him back.

We finished the drive and then headed to Rothbury for a little look around.  A lovely market town with an amazing butcher’s.  We had to go in and buy some sausages as they had the best selection I have ever seen.  We got some smoked pork hot dogs and some Northumberland to cook at home.  Then after yet another play in the park for Tom we headed home. 

We had the sausages for tea – WOW!  The smoked sausages were about the best sausages I have ever had – we will be returning to that butcher’s on Friday on our way home to stock up.

Bamburgh & Holy Island

Men at work

The finished fort

First stop was Alnwick in search of wi-fi so we could find out tide times for Holy Island and therefore plan our week.  We happened across a Lidl so we stocked up on groceries and then headed to Barter Books.  Wow!  What a place.  This is one of the biggest second hand bookshops in the country.  It is housed in an old railway station.  First thing you see when you walk in is a roaring fire and a refreshment station with filter coffee, biscuits and an honesty box.  This is our sort of a place.  Tom was overjoyed as well as there was an overhead model railway with at least 3 trains, so he was rooted to the spot watching them with glee.  We were all very happy.  Matt got the tide times in for Holy Island – the causeway was clear 11.05 to 17.35 so today was the best day for it.  We had decided to  do Bamburgh at the same time as Holy Island and as Bamburgh was nearest we went there first.

Wow!  What a castle.  A huge, imposing structure on a cliff, overlooking the town and bay.  It was used in the first series of Black Adder although to be honest I didn’t recognise it from there.   The plan was to take photos of the castle and to have a play on the beach rather than tramp around the castle, so we headed down across the dunes to a very lovely yellow sandy beach.  The sandy was perfect for building sand castles, so that is what we did (we had come prepared with buckets and spades).  We spent a good hour making a rather large castle complete with moat and seaweed decorations and were quite pleased with ourselves.

Bamburgh Castle

We were the only ones being industrious on the beach – yes it was grey and overcast, but it wasn’t raining or that windy and we are in Northern England what more could we expect?  We were all quite pleased with our efforts.  Although we had been well prepared for the beach, we didn’t have a drink or snack with us so in the end our tummies told us that we should move on in search of food.  We carried on along the beach, around the castle and found ourselves in the village green.  After a little hunting we found a sandwich shop, so ordered ourselves some lunch and then went to eat it in the green looking at the very splendid castle.  After lunch we carried on round the castle so we had done a full lap and then headed back to the car to drive to Holy Island.

Small boy, big castle

Holy Island (or Lindisfarne) is one of those places that I have heard of and wondered about, being so close to it I had requested we go for a look.  It didn’t disappoint, we drove across the dry causeway to the head of the island ( a good 3 miles) and parked with the 1,000 or so other cars and joined the throngs in the village (it was Bank Holiday after all).  We decided to rejoin the National Trust whilst up here as there are so many National Trust properties, one of which would cost us at least half the yearly membership fee to enter.  Once joined, we headed towards the castle which dominates the island, built up on a rock at the end of a peninsula.  The castle itself wasn’t that big, but the view from it was good, and the walk out very pleasant.  AND the skies clearer and we had proper sunshine.  I even took my fleece off!!!!!!

The bay 

Unfortunately Matt was wearing his sandals for the first time this year which were causing him grief so we didn’t walk any further than the castle, but headed back to the village for tea and a bun at the least efficient café in the country (even slower than the Tavistock Pasty House and that’s saying something!).  Matt was in a queue for coffee and cake for a good half hour, with only 5 people in front of him, there was a lot of eyeball rolling and huffing when he finally arrived with drinks.  Luckily the drinks and cakes were good, so they redeemed themselves a little.

We had a quick look around the village and then headed back to the car, we drove back to Powburn completing a circuit.  The plan was to have showers and then head out for tea, but we were tired, cooking and eating in was more favourable for us all, so that is what we did.  A good day.

Off to Northumberland

Sunday morning, Matt took Tom down to the Community Field for children’s cricket whilst I packed and cleaned (sort of) the house.  Once they were finished we headed off up North.  First stop was the Tebay Services on the M6 for a rather nice lunch (not your average services) and then across the Dales to Hexham, Newcastle and then further North to Powburn and our holiday cottage.  We don’t have wi-fi here (oops!) but apart from that it is fine. 

Even Tom was surprised!

Not wanting to go far for tea, and having not passed a single shop since Hexham, we had to go out for tea.  Luckily there is a pub 5 minutes walk from the cottage, so we went there.  Wow, the portions were huge.  Tom had a small roast dinner and was presented with something about double the size of a roast dinner I would serve to an adult!  He did well though, only leaving the cabbage and new potatoes – I still don’t know where he puts it.  I had lasagna which was served with an industrial quantity of chips – I gave up trying to get through them and handed back a plate that looked like I hadn’t had one!

On arriving back at the cottage, Tom went to bed and I read the visitors book to get ideas of where to go.  Here we read lots of warnings about the food: “only go if you are really really hungry”, “the portions are enormous” oh hum – if we come back from a day starving hungry this week we know where to go!

Day at home - and a walk the wrong way round

At the viaduct

Saturday was a gorgeous day – clear blue skies, no wind and warm.  At last!  Matt was playing cricket in the afternoon so we decided to do a mini walk in  morning and headed out to Ribblehead, and did our usual walk, but the wrong way round.  It’s funny how different a walk can seem when done in reverse.  We all enjoyed it and headed to Inglesport on our way home for lunch.  Matt then went off to play cricket in Carnforth (and got thrashed) and Tom and I headed onto the Community field to play cricket until we were both so hot that we went into the village to buy some drinks and then headed to the playground for a sit (me) and more playing (Tom).

Quiet Weekend

We didn't really do much this weekend, the weather wasn't great, and Tom wasn't great either!

Saturday - after looking at the weather we decided we should have a day in rather than out as although it was sunny, it was very windy.  After much debate we decided to go for a car ride in the Dales over to Kirkby Stephen.  It was a very beautiful ride - lots of dales, some quite different to here - more remote, rugged and deserted (apart from the sheep!).  First stop was the Stainmore Railway.  This is a 'very' local heritage railway and wasn't operational this weekend, although there were plenty of volunteers around and we were warmly welcomed for a look around.  Tom got to play on the name plate, we bought some bits and pieces in the shop and looked around their little museum.  A cute place, we will be back one weekend when it is open (for the ride over more than anything else).

We then headed into the village for lunch and found ourselves a good little tea room in The Mulberry Tree, then a visit to the tourist information office where I managed to find myself a patch (very rare these days) before heading back a different way home.  

Now Tom wasn't really himself all day.  He seemed in his own world, and nothing we could do would shake him out of it.  We asked him if there was anything the matter, but just got a shoulder shrug as a response.  We thought he might nod off in the car on the way home but he didn't.  All very curious.  We thought the roast dinner we had planned for him would help, but it didn't.  Oh hum, early to bed then.

When Tom went to bed he started to complain of ear ache.  Not great (did I mention one of his grommets fell out about 2 weeks ago - it came out in a huge big ball of wax).  We believed him (he often comes up with fake ailments) and as we left him to go to sleep we thought it wouldn't be the last we heard of him.  We were right.  Matt ended up sitting with him on his bed until he went to sleep.  It didn't take long - I was really surprised, I guess he was tired.  However, he coughed in his sleep, the cough woke him up and then we had crying and this time he wasn't going to be consoled and he wasn't going to go back to sleep.  In the end we allowed him to get up and put Totoro on the telly for him.  This did the trick, he got absorbed into the film and forgot about his ears.  Once the film finished (about 10pm) he went back to bed happily and back to sleep.  

Sunday

Believe it or not Tom slept right through!  We couldn't quite believe it when we woke up and realised that it was morning.  Well done Totoro.  He was much perkier in the morning and said he wanted to play cricket so off he went.  The village cricket club offer cricket sessions for little ones on a Sunday morning in an attempt to get children enthused with it and join the adult club later on.  Matt took him down and I joined them later on (I was waiting in for some cakes to be collected).  Although one of the smallest, he was actually quite good, especially during batting practise - he hit nearly every ball, when most of the others missed nearly every ball (although I think the bowler was being nice to him).    When we got back, I noticed there was a discharge in his ear, poor thing, not huge amounts, but definitely enough to be quite uncomfortable.  He was happy though, the discharge meant his ears weren't hurting anymore.

We went to Inglesport for lunch and then Matt went off to play cricket for the village team.  Tom and I went over to watch him for a bit, but they were having a bad day so there wasn't too much to see!  We had a quiet afternoon, tea and bed.

Sorry, we didn't take any photos this weekend!

Birthday Weekend

With the Ellershaws

I had a wonderful birthday weekend, thanks to everyone for their presents and messages.  It started on Friday after school when Tom came home with a certificate of merit for a beautifully drawn and painted sunflower?!  We were gobsmacked as he very rarely does anything creative, and almost never done anything creatively well.  So that was a good start.

Friday night was spent in The Old Post Office, I had arranged a girlie night out.  Kate's birthday is also 9th May so we invited a gang of people as a joint party - there were 12 of us altogether.   We all ordered platters in advance.  I had a really good night out.  Stayed on the white wine all night and didn't suffer any ill effects in the morning - phew!  Everyone was in super chatty mood and the evening just flew.  

Tom, Charlotte and Caitlin

In the morning Tom couldn't help himself and barged into our bedroom early to wake me so I would know it was my birthday!  Bless him, he had been mega excited about it all week!  I got a good haul of presents (thank you everyone) and then the boys went downstairs to make me breakfast in bed: soft boiled egg with dippy soldiers.  Absolute bliss - that was the best.  I felt very very spoiled.  As it was a nasty rainy day we had decided to go to Leeds on the train - keeps all of us happy.  We were going to go to Miller & Carter for a steak lunch, but en route we came across Friends of Ham, a pub which looked very interesting so we headed in there instead and had a platter of french ham and cheese which was very lovely.  We then headed to Fat Face where we all found something in the half price sale.  After a quick Primark shop we stopped off at M&S for tea and a bun before picking up tea from Wasabi.  Tom had a very fidgety trip home on the train, so he was in bed in record time after wolfing down his sushi.  Oh, almost forgot - when we got home there was a cake on the door stop, with a tag attached saying that as I spend all my time making other people cakes, here was a homemade cake for me!  It was from Caroline, what a lovely sentiment.

Silly faces

Anyway it was a fab birthday, best one in years, so thank you everyone.

Sunday we had arranged to do the waterfalls trail with Caitlin and her family.  Apparently Caitlin is not a great walker (unlike her 3 year old sister) but her parents wanted to do the trail.  They thought if Tom was around it might spur her on.  It certainly worked, Tom and Caitlin were out front and running around most of it.  Never would we have guessed Caitlin was a whiney walker!  Lottie at 3 raced round too, mind you it is a fab walk and it was the first time they did it so really they should have enjoyed it.  We got round in record time so we invited the Ellershaws round for tea and cake which was just as well as we now had 2 cakes to eat as I had made a chocolate cherry R and D cake as my treat to me.  Once the Ellershaws left we sat down to watch Airplanes - Tom didn't cry - yahoooooo!  

Bank Holiday Weekend

Saturday

Was a very horrible, blustery and rainy day.  A day for being inside.  However, it was Fred and Frank's army party today which was taking place outside.  Oh hum, as usual it was the adults who minded more than the kids.  Enjoy-a-Ball Paul was there so the kids had fun.  They all came in for their mess and with the weather getting worse and worse they didn't go out again.  Poor Caroline and Rob's extension is only just finished and they had 20 plus children in there causing trouble.  Oh well, there were good spirits all round and the children enjoyed themselves.

We were wondering what to do and decided it would be nice to go to a pub, and then we suddenly thought that the Old Post Office would be open - ah ha!  We hadn't been fed, so that meant we could go and try out their platters.  Fantastic.  We headed over there and found it empty.  I had a Mediterranean platter and Matt the fish platter - both were excellent, however, Tom still managed to find some room to 'help' us out.  Fantastic!  We then went home and watched a film as it was still a revolting day!

Sunday

Trying to figure out Morris Dancing

We had found out in the local paper that Skipton has a waterways festival this weekend - the canal goes straight through its centre.  This year the theme was nursery rhymes and as that is this half term's topic for Tom at school, we thought it would be a good idea to go along.  The weather still wasn't great, but it was due to clear so we headed over.  We parked at the nominated car park and got a vintage Route master number 9 down to the town, which was fab as we got the best seats in the house.  We had a quick look around the farmers' market and headed through the main bit in search of a pub for lunch.  We ended up going to one called 'The Narrow Boat' very apt don't you think?  It was a proper real ale pub, children were only allowed in if they were eating a proper lunch with adults.  Not a problem - Tom was hungry.  Wow, it was a good food pub as well, they had lots of light bites, which were smaller versions of their main courses and just the right portion for a lunch.  The boys had fish and chips and I had risotto.  We were all happy and we all ate up.  This pub was also home to a troop of Morris dancers so we were treated to lots of jingly bells as they walked around.

Decorated boats

Once fed we headed back to the main canal area to see what was on.  The Morris dancers had got there first and were dancing.  Tom was interested and made his way to the front of the crowd.  They held his interest big time, in fact we stayed to watch the full performance.  They weren't even particularly good, but were obviously having a good time.  Next on the schedule was the raft race.  There were cash prizes for the first 3 teams, but only 2 entered, and one of those was the Morris dancers!  Next time we should take a boat with us would be an easy win!  We looked around the boats, some had been decorated really well with nursery rhyme themed items, although many of the nursery rhymes were old ones that Tom didn't know: Mary Mary Quite Contrary, Little Miss Muffet,  The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe, etc etc (not, I hasten to add through lack of me reciting them to him as I did many many many times when he was a non listening toddler!)  Tom then had a go on a huge bouncy slide before we got the vintage bus back to the car park.

As the sun had come out and the countryside was looking good and it wasn't too late, we decided to head to Malham on the way home.  We got there just in time to ask at the tourist office about the walk to Janet's Foss.  The lady pointed us in the right direction and off we went.  It was a pleasant walk, alongside a river ending up in a lovely waterfall.  A very pleasant end to the day.

Monday

Bus stop scarecrow

About to be devoured

Bank Holiday Monday and it wasn't raining - hurray.  We had decided to go to Wray for the scarecrow festival.  We had a great time.  The scarecrows were looking good - almost one in every house in the village.  Also there was a big fair and fun fair which meant we had a busy day.  As Wray is quite close to Ingleton we 'bumped' into a number of people we knew.  First of all we saw Judith from Smile Nursery who recognised us and Tom immediately.  Not only that, but she remembered everything about us: my cake business, our link with Japan, Tom's friends at nursery.  I was very impressed as it has been almost 2 years now since he was there.

Naughty Kristoph

We also bumped into Miss Swindlehurst who was very good, taking time to talk to Tom considering it was her day off, also some other friends from his class.  We later found out that we missed quite a few more of our friends.  Tom had a couple of goes on some attractions in the fun fair, we spent some time watching some things going on in the main field - including a pipe band where Tom really got into the drumming and some birds of prey do their stuff, but their star attraction, a Russian Steppe Eagle called Kristoph, decided to fly off rather than do his party tricks, bringing a quick end to the performance.  Tom also saw a magic show before we decided we had had enough and returned back home.  It was a good day out and it didn't rain - hurray!