Life Outdoors 2007

New Year 2008

2008-01-01T19:23:00.000Z

2008 is in a new blog ............
Life Outdoors 2008
Happy New Year and enjoy 2008

New Years Eve: Bowness Bay,Cumbria

2007-12-31T16:46:00.000Z

A rainy night didnt put us off going to Bowness Bay along with heaps of other locals for champagne and fireworks on the lake shore to bring in the new year!

Christmas Lunch: High Carley, Cumbria

2007-12-30T16:33:00.000Z

Today we had Christmas lunch at home with Wayne and Lois but with roast lamb instead of turkey - just for a change!

oh.... and yes the cat got in on the act too!

Christmas Lunch: Han Family, Surrey

2007-12-27T16:18:00.000Z

Ian and I travelled down to Copse End on Boxing Day and today went to Tin and Liz's for another Christmas gathering this time with the Han family, we opened presents, ate lunch and drank champagne with Christmas cake.....

Christmas Day Morning: High Carley, Cumbria

2007-12-25T15:59:00.000Z

Ian and I were up early thanks to 2 excited dogs who couldn't wait to open thier presents - mainly lots of squeaky toys and dogs treats.......

Luckily we'd decided to sleep by the stove so the fire was already going and the champagne was close to hand!

Christmas Day Lunch: Kemp Family, Cheshire

2007-12-25T15:51:00.000Z

We travelled down to Marple, Cheshire to Ian's mum and dad's and had a traditional Christmas lunch with Ian's family - Ann, Cliff, Chris and Juliet.

Christmas Eve: Langdale

2007-12-24T18:46:00.001Z

All I am going to say is it was beautiful....

Winter Solstice

2007-12-21T14:43:00.000Z

The temperature here has been hovering between -3 and -6 for the last 10 days or so.

Looks very pretty.....

High Carley: Winter Woods

2007-12-19T15:11:00.001Z

We went for a walk down to the woods today - very cold and frosty but with lots of sunshine......

the walk down.....

the view to the meadow......

The beck and deer in the meadow.....

very peaceful, very relaxing and just us!

High Carley: Winter Sunset

2007-12-17T15:05:00.000Z

Winter Series 4th Race

2007-12-16T16:49:00.000Z

It was a misty start to the race today but we all turned out in good cheer and santa hats for the pre-christmas race.

I was on main today Anthony and John on jib, Gerry on helm and Ian and Graham on foredeck, Antony and I flew the Spinnker on the first run and John and I on the 2nd.

The feeling of playing with the wind in the sails is very magical and one that is hard to describe unless you've done it!

We had a good start across the starting line and chased Flossie round the 1st 2 laps without gaining on her at all. Shamal was always just that little bit too far in front for us to overtake too.

On the last Spinnaker run Flossie pulled away from us with a good wind - which we didn't get and was halfway down the finishing leg before we rounded the mark. We had a good run, gained on Wizard, over took her, and caught up with Shamal and Flossie, crossing the line literally on Shamal's stern. We came 6th in this weeks race - a very good result and there were a lot of smiles in the pub afterwards.

Unfortunately for Tom he managed to break a finger when the spinnaker failed to launch properly on Flossie.

Race results:
Flossie: own class: 1st overall: 4th
Mojo: own class 2nd overall: 6th
Wizard: own class: 3rd overall 8th
Shamal: own class 4th overall 14th

Celtic Challenger: overall 15th

Jazz: overall 16th

Medieval Banquet

2007-12-15T17:27:00.000Z

Tonight Denise, Ian and I went to the local Medieval Banquet - where the Knight Crusader and Damsel-In-Distress jived to the Beatles, King John did a solo rock movement to Bon Jovi, Maid Marien and her Merry Men danced to The Mavericks and the Medieval Babes rocked to Boy George!

It was (as Denise put it) very surreal - like being in a scene from Cadfael rocking to Queen!

A very merry night was had by all with an exceptionally good Hog Roast meal by Cath!

Sunny Howgills

2007-12-14T14:57:00.000Z

A cold but sunny afternoon for us to go and explore a nice track across the Howgills - only to find it was a very long drive to a farm and nowhere else!!

The views, however, were fantastic.......

Dawn Walk High Carley

2007-12-13T08:36:00.001Z

Ian's full of brainy idea's before work and I must be nuts to follow them up but when the dawn's looking as good as it did today it was worth getting out early with the dogs and crunchy frost on the ground to walk through the paddock and into the woods to watch the sun rising over the fells.

Winter Sun On Whinfell

2007-12-13T02:41:00.000Z

It was blowing a gale and feezing cold on the tops this afternoon but the sun was out and the dogs loved it, they couldnt stop running everywhere. Me? well I'm too sensible to run up a fellside!

High Carley - Early Morning

2007-12-10T08:22:00.000Z

and this morning's views to wake up with are......

The Christmas Tree

2007-12-09T08:19:00.000Z

Our 1st Christmas tree at High Carley..........

Leadhills In Snow

2007-12-08T08:27:00.000Z

Ian and I set off to go to Leadhills this morning in the sleet and arrived in snow.

We had a warming cuppa at Jo and Alisdairs before going to the pub and meeting Audrey for lunch.

It was then back to Audrey's for a cuppa, a dog walk and then several tumblers full of wine later we pulled ourselves away from the snug woodburning stove to go home.

A great day - thanks guys!

Winter Series - 3rd Race

2007-12-02T19:35:00.000Z

After a night of gale force winds and howling gales today, come the race, the lake was as flat as a pancake and cold and wet too.

Celtic Challenger came 10th which was fantastic - the rest of us were timed out!

Muker, Keld and Reeth

2007-11-29T19:42:00.000Z

Familar names to anyone who's done the Coast to Coast Walk and today Ian and I took a trip down memory lane visiting some of the nearby places we'd walked to...

High Carley: Misty Mornings

2007-11-27T19:24:00.000Z

and we woke up today to this......

5 Years!

2007-11-23T19:16:00.000Z

Ok - so Ian and I have been together for 5 years now - we went out tonight to The Cross Keys Inn for a very nice meal and came back to a log burning stove we just didnt want to leave so we brought the bedding upstairs and slept on the fouton along with (of course) the dogs and cats - who thought it was all great fun.....

I will be glad when we get the stove installed in the bedroom!

Yateley

2007-11-18T19:03:00.000Z

Yateley is where my ancestors, the Hilton's, lived from at least 1750-1850 and on the way home from Copse End we called in to take a look at the church where so many of them got married and buried....

Winter Series: 2nd Race

2007-11-18T07:29:00.000Z

Ian and I did not race today as we were travelling back from Surrey but MOJO came 16th - a good position for the 2nd race.

Gerry must have got the cat 'o nine tails out on the crew in our absence.

Race results:

Shamal: own class 1st overall: 1st

Wizard: own class 2nd overall: 3rd

Worra Suprise: own class 3rd overall: 5th

Flossie: own class 4th overall: 5th

Mojo: own class 5th overall: 16th

Celtic Challenger: overall: 26th

Copse End: A Family Evening

2007-11-17T18:52:00.000Z

Tin cooked Burmese for tea tonight which was really, really nice......

Copse End: Sylvia's Birthday

2007-11-16T18:45:00.000Z

To celebrate Sylvia's birthday we got a Thai takeaway at Copse End......

Copse End: Gomshall Mill

2007-11-15T18:32:00.000Z

Donna, Gordon, Oscar and I went for lunch today at Gomshall Mill and it was a rather scrummy lunch too....

Copse End: Hurtwood

2007-11-14T18:26:00.000Z

Hurtwood is the name of the area of woodland that surrounds Copse End and is a favourite haunt for doggy walking......

Copse End: At Home With The Family

2007-11-13T18:20:00.000Z

Need I say more - other than thanks to Larisa for letting us all into her home to wreak havoc for the night.....

Copse End: Newlands Corner

2007-11-12T18:10:00.000Z

This afternoon after school Esther, Joshua and I went for ice creams at Newlands Corner and then took the dogs for a walk.....

Copse End: Sunday Roast

2007-11-11T17:59:00.000Z

Dinner by Larisa - pictures by Esther & Ian......

Copse End: Fireworks

2007-11-10T17:48:00.000Z

Tonight was the firework display at Joshua's school which we all went to and had sticky toffee apples, burgers and (for us adults) mulled wine as well as watching a fab firework display......

Gary's Leaving Do

2007-11-08T17:35:00.000Z

Gary left Shepherd's today and we went to Giani's in Kendal for a very nice Italian meal and then to Bootleggers to watch a live band - a pretty good evening was had by all....

Winter Series - 1st Race

2007-11-04T13:02:00.000Z

The water was calm not even a ripple as we all drifted about the lake in search of the elusive breeze!

Finally a whisper was felt and a square course set across the lake - we were off - well we drifted over the start line anyway - with Lady Grey drifting to our starboard and Flossie to our Port!

We floundered our way around the first lap aiming for any little breeze that rippled the surface - you couldnt really call it a race against the other boats - it was more of trying to drift into any bit of wind handy by any means.

The race committee decided to end halfway through lap 2 and just as Flossie and Lady Grey rounded the last mark ahead of us a breeze struck up and flew them across to the finish line - however as we rounded the mark the breeze refused to stay with us and dropped leaving us to flounder our away to the end.

On board MoJo today were Anthony, Graham (who raced Pelagos last year) Gerry, John S, Ian and Myself.

Tom was on Flossie, Brian (as usual) on Celtic Challenger, Steve on Jazz and Ric (who raced Pure Adrenalin) on the arch enemy Lady Grey!

Flossie is the boat the beat this series but at it's a Formula One fast boat I somehow think I'll be owing Tom a lot of pints this season!

One thing I did learn today was how to jibe a symetric spinniker without being in near death conditions and having to concentrate on staying alive rather than on the method of how it's done!!

Race results:

Shamal: own class: 1st overall: 2nd

Flossie: own class: 2nd overall: 5th

Worra Suprise: own class: 3rd overall: 7th

Wizard: own class: 4th overall: 8th

Lady Grey: own class: 5th overall: 19th

Mojo: own class: 6th overall: 20th

Celtic Challenger: overall: 24th

Kirkstone and Aira Force, Ullswater

2007-11-03T12:39:00.000Z

Wayne, Lois, Naomi and Nathan came to stay for the weekend and today we went to Kirkstone and Aira Force...

Kirkstone......

Aira Force and Ullswater......
We then went to the firework display at Staveley and came home to nibbles, wine and beer in front of the wood burner......

Borrowdale and The Howgills

2007-10-31T15:12:00.001Z

Some bright spark, better known as Ian, suggested it would be a good idea to get up early and watch the sun rise over the fells - he then went off to work!

So I decided it would be nice to go for a walk in Borrowdale and watch the sun rise over the Howgills.....

and over Borrowdale Edge.......

we then went for a walk up the fellside towards Greyrigg Forest - oddly named because it has very few trees!....

drove back via the Howgills......

and got an interesting view of Docker Fell from the opposite side to home....

Halloween.....

2007-10-31T12:58:00.000Z

This is the night when the ghostie's and beaties and things-that-go-bump-in-the-night come out to play - or maybe it was just Ian, I and Mr Pumpkin lantern drinking wine in the heat of the chimnea on the balcony!

An Afternoon On Docker Fell

2007-10-30T19:06:00.000Z

and guess where we went this afternoon - up the fell on the opposite side of the valley to yesterday!

Up On Whinfell: Early Morning

2007-10-29T09:40:00.001Z

You may think that the best thing to do on your 1st day after the seasons ended is to lie in bed with a cuppa or sit and eat hot buttered toast infront of the wood burner.

But no! The sun was out the sky was blue, the valley was full of mist and Storm Siula and I set off up Whinfell at about 7.45am, it was a glorious morning and we were down for bekkie by 9.30!

oh... & I think someone got a bit enthusiastic about how many snow poles to place!!!!.....

Seasons End: Shepherds

2007-10-28T10:22:00.000Z

Today was the last day of this years hire season.

The weather was fantastic and also warm - which made a change from the rest of the week which had been freezing cold and frosty.

Early and late morning ....

noon.....

and afternoon....

Some of the familiar faces of this summer are....

our 2 little helpers - George and Jamie....

then there's John, Gary and I.....

and Tom, Sandra, Brian, Storm and Siula.......

and me messing about on the water.....

Seasons End: Blackwell

2007-10-27T10:16:00.000+01:00

Blackwell's last sail of the season was yesterday and today we all met in the Royal Windermere Yacht Club for our end of season lunch.

Some of us wont see each other until the next sailing season, others will be racing each other in the Winter Series on Windermere and some of us will be taking groups walking up the local fells over winter.

High Carley: Red Sky In The Morning

2007-10-20T21:50:00.000+01:00

And the view this morning........

Canoeing On Windermere

2007-10-19T20:58:00.000+01:00

Today Blackwell Sailing went canoeing! It was a great day of calm weather and misty mountains....

Autumn on Docker Fell

2007-10-18T18:18:00.001+01:00

It was a great warm sunny day after a night of hard frost!

Storm, Siula and I decided that a walk up Docker Fell would be a nice way to spend the afternoon.....

Alston And Nenthead

2007-10-13T22:04:00.000+01:00

Ian and I took the dogs up to the North Pennines for the day and visited Alston which is a lovely old market town with cobble streets and great shops and tea rooms.....

and then over to Nenthead for a walk......

followed by a trip round Tindale Fell stopping at the Strickland Arms in Great Strickland on the way back for a quick beer in front of an open fire.

While we were in Nenthead I took these pictures of 2 chapels that Gordon was interested in buying to do up....

Well Gordon for your information one is still for sale and looks as if it hasnt had a viewer since you and I viewed it and the other we looked at has been renovated and is now up for sale again!!!

Ivy Bridge And The Old Road

2007-10-06T21:33:00.000+01:00

After fording the beck and heading up to Ivy Bridge we turned towards Little Docker Bridge on the old road to Shaw End which is no longer in use.

It was a lovely late afternoon walk and we just caught the sun setting over the fells....

Autumn Sailing

2007-10-05T21:03:00.000+01:00

It was pure sunshine all the way today - we went a lot further up the lake than we usually do and it was with great reluctance that we eventually turned and headed back to base.....

High Carley: Autumn Sun

2007-10-04T21:50:00.000+01:00

It was a brilliantly clear sunny afternoon at High Carley today......

Windermere: Morning, Noon and Night

2007-09-26T13:13:00.000+01:00

Denise and I went to The Ship Inn on Windermere tonight for a bar meal and during the day at work I took some pictures of the lake from The Glebe next to the pub......

Morning.....

Noon.....

Night.........

Sunset, Moonrise And The Cross Keys Inn

2007-09-25T12:59:00.000+01:00

Ian and I drove to our 'local' pub tonight and took some pictures on our way.....

Sunset over the Lakes......

Moonrise over the Howgills.......

The Cross Keys Inn in is Tebay and we went there tonight for a bar meal - the pub is nice, warm and friendly and the food really good.

It was the first time since we've moved here that we've been out for a meal and a drink in the 'local' - I say local loosey as its about 6 miles away!

The View From My Window

2007-09-10T13:25:00.000+01:00

All summer I have had people coming up to me saying 'you must have the best office view in the world'.

Well I have to admit it is a pretty spectacular view that I have to put up with each day at work so I thought I'd share with you all the pain and suffering of how terrible it is to look at this all day!

Sailing In The Sun

2007-09-07T12:20:00.000+01:00

It was a very calm day on the lake when Barbara, Robert, Tracey, Ben and I set sail in Frieda - we ended up taking it in turns to row to Millarground, where we were having lunch, when all of a sudden a brisk force 3 flew down the lake from the north and gave us plenty of good steady sailing for the afternoon.

Cumrew Fell, Long Meg And Orton Moor

2007-09-06T20:07:00.000+01:00

Becky and I took a trip out to the North Penines today first stopping at Castle Carrock to have a gorgious lunch in The Weary......

before heading to Cumrew for a walk up Cumrew Fell with fantastic views towards Criffel in Dumfrieshire and The Lakes.......

We then visited long Meg and her Daughters which is a druids stone circle near Penrith.......
and finally stopped to admire the view on Orton Moor.......

High Carley - Red Sky At Night

2007-09-06T12:12:00.000+01:00

Tonights sunset was pretty spectacular.......

Scurvey Dog V Painkiller

2007-09-05T09:42:00.000+01:00

Tonight John, George, Gary and I went out on Painkiller and raced Dave, Graham and Clare on Scurvey Dog to the south end of the lake......

and in the good old fashioned way of pirates Painkiller was attacked by the pirate ship Scurvey Dog with water pistols on the return trip.

after which we opened a few beers and had a pleasant sail home....

High Carley: Misty Morning

2007-09-04T19:49:00.000+01:00

The seasons seem to be starting to change as we had our first misty morning today .....

Windermere

2007-09-01T09:01:00.000+01:00

Windermere features a lot in my life - I work, rest and play there!

Here are some pictures taken today of life around the lake....

The Scurvey Dog moored up on the public jetties - this is Dave's boat which I go sailing on.......
Blackwell Sailing out for the day on the orange sailed Whammels

Tom on his little orange boat and Graham and Dave messing with theirs.

The boss hard at work.....

Clients having fun......

The Lake Steamers.......

and some views......

St Sunday Crag, Ullswater

2007-08-26T08:49:00.000+01:00

Ian took the dogs for a great walk up St Sunday Crag today whilst I was (as usual) at work!

Jo's Visit to High Carley And Langdale

2007-08-23T19:43:00.000+01:00

Jo came to visit today we had coffee and danish pastries at High Carley in the sun on the balcony before a walk in the woods to the beck to let the dogs have a swim.......

we then had lunch, also on the balcony, before heading up to Langdale for a drink at Stickle Barn and letting the dogs have a swim in the beck at Chapel Stile........

after which we went back to the house and sat drinking tea on the balcony in the evening sun with these fantastic views.......

and a little later on..........

High Carley And Windermere

2007-08-22T20:54:00.000+01:00

For the past few days it's been really nice and sunny and warm with no wind up at High Carley but when I've got to work it's been a howling northerly gale and no one has believed me that there is such a difference as I drop down to the lake for work so today I took some pictures of my morning walk before work......

and as predicted it was a howling gale once I got to work......

however by the evening the wind dropped and we were able to enjoy a glass of wine and few beers watching the sun set over the lake, waiting for the last boat to come in.......

A Walk In Kentmere

2007-08-19T14:26:00.000+01:00

While I was at work today Ian, Storm and Siula went for a walk up the fells in Kentmere....

I was rather jealous!!!

Han Family Gathering: Esther's Breakfast Pictures

2007-08-18T22:01:00.000+01:00

This is Esther and her dad and Ian, Esther and Joshua at breakfast today......

and Esther took these pictures.....

and then all the Han's went home :-(

Han Family Gathering: Climbing

2007-08-17T08:04:00.000+01:00

Ian and I took Tony, Calvert and Joshua climbing at Kendal Wall today - a lot of fun was had by all!

Han Family Gathering: Afternoon Tea At Cobblestones

2007-08-17T07:09:00.000+01:00

After a hard days climbing we went back to Cobblestone Cottage and, with wonderful views, had afternoon tea and cakes with the rest of the family....

Han Family Gathering: An Evening At High Carley

2007-08-17T06:00:00.000+01:00

After leaving Cobblestones Ian and I went back to High Carley with Joshua and Esther to give them spaggetti for tea, put them to bed and then prepare the table for a meal with Calvert and Larisa later that evening.....
We than all had a very nice relaxing evening drinking wine and champagne!

Han Family Gathering: Windermere

2007-08-16T21:21:00.000+01:00

Calvert and Tony decided they fancied the idea of playing at captain on one of the Mystics owned by Shepherds so we all went out for a ride on the lake and by far the best captains of all were Esther and Joshua!

Han Family Gathering: High Carley and Borrowdale

2007-08-16T09:35:00.000+01:00

This afternoon Calvert, Esther, Joshua and I went for a walk in High Carley Woods

Followed by a trip to the little log cabin "Borrowdale" in Longsleddale, not too far from us, where they had been staying the last few days.

Pictures by Esther age 4.....

The evening was spent relaxing at High Carley where Calvert, Larisa, Joshua and Esther were spending the remainder of the week with Joshua practicing his climbing techniques for the morning....

Han Family Gathering: Kendal and Cobblestones

2007-08-15T20:17:00.000+01:00

Cho, being new to England and finding it rather cold even in summer, went shopping today with Sylvia, Liz and I, in Kendal, for some clothes suitable for the English weather and approaching winter!

Thick socks, fur lined boots, water proofs and fleeces were purchased with much glee from us and looks of 'how cold is it going to get' from Cho.

The evening was spent at Cobblestones eating lots of scrummy Burmese food cooked by Tin and Cho.....

Han Family Gathering: Samye Ling Monastry

2007-08-14T19:36:00.000+01:00

Today Tin, Liz, Sylvia, Cho, Tony and I went to Samye Ling Monastry near Eskdalemuir, we started off with lunch in the Tibetan Tea house...

after lunch we went to see the Burmese Buddha.....

and then into the main temple......
before walking round the grounds......

I also dedicated some butter lamps in the lamp house and asked the monks to say prayers in memory of mum.

Han Family Gathering: Langdale

2007-08-13T10:19:00.000+01:00

The Han family went to Blea Tarn, Langdale for a walk and picnic today - we also scattered petals into the beck in mum's memory near where we scattered her ashes.

Tonights tea was cooked by Cho and Tin and was noodles stir fried with garlic, spring onions, leeks, gamon and chicken, bu-thee kyaw (battered marrow) with sweet chilli dip and salad.

Han Family Gathering: Sunday Roast

2007-08-12T10:00:00.000+01:00

The Han Family arrived last night and have rented a barn conversion on the opposite side of the valley to High Carley so we can accomodate all the family.

Sylvia and I cooked breakfast this morning .....

and then Cho, Sylvia and I cooked Sunday roast for 11!

High Carley: In The Woods

2007-08-11T14:24:00.001+01:00

Ian spent the morning strimming the path through the woods to Fairy Glen and the beck and I did a bit of clearing branches from the path whilst the dogs swam and dived off the diving rock into the beck before we brewed up cups of tea at Fairy Glen.

Storm and Fairy Glen....
The pool and the path to the diving rock.....

Tonight we went over to Cobblestones on the other side of the valley and spent the evening with Tin, Liz, Sylvia and Tony who had just arrived for a weeks visit.

The Family Han

2007-08-11T09:00:00.000+01:00

Tin, Liz and Cho......

Calver t and Larisa......

Joshua and Esther........

Sylvia and Tony.........

Amanda and Ian.....

Sailing on Windermere

2007-08-10T12:01:00.000+01:00

I went sailing with Brian, Robert and Gill in Muddler today as part of Blackwell Sailing, also out was Joanna and Frieda. We had lunch on the Far Sawrey side of the Lake near the ferry.
The evening was nice enough to have a BBQ on the balcony and after tea we lit the Chimnea and stayed out drinking wine til really late watching the cloud banking over the Howgills as the sun went down.

Howgills at Sunset

2007-08-09T14:09:00.000+01:00

Ian and I ate outside tonight and lit our new chimnea for the first time! It wasnt really cold - we just wanted to try it out!

The sunset was spectacular.

In Memory Of My Mum

2007-08-06T21:53:00.000+01:00

Today at midday the Aussies and I are raising a glass of wine in memory of my mum, Rita, this is her favourite poem......

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed--and gazed--but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

4 Months on......

2007-08-02T14:36:00.000+01:00

The Aussies have requested a few before and after pics of the garden so...........

and here is the field and the view - no change there yet!

well we cant get round to everything can we!

Wales And Home

2007-07-29T11:41:00.000+01:00

Early morning light at Cae Gwyn camp site.....and after breakfast we set off back for Cumbria via several outdoor shops along the way

before stopping at Waun y Llyn viewpoint for a brew and a wander with the dogs before arriving back to our own familiar views and a feel of still being on holiday......

Wales: Tryfan

2007-07-28T09:27:00.000+01:00

The day dawned bright and sunny for our bacon butties but with low cloud over the fells

We set off to walk up the lower slopes of Tryfan longingly wanting to put our feet to the rock face higher up!

Alas we had the dogs with us so we had to just drool pleasantly at the rock instead

After our walk we went to Llanberis to watch the Snowdon Fell Race

before retiring to the camp site with excellent views for the evening

Wales: Harlech and Snowdonia

2007-07-27T08:18:00.000+01:00

The day dawned bright and breezey....

and we headed off for Harlech and the beach to have some fun with the dogs.....

before driving into Snowdonia..........

our camp site tonight was set under Snowdon and Crib Goch at Cae Gwyn Farm, Nant Peris with a fantastic sunset.

Wales: Centre For Alternative Energy

2007-07-26T07:57:00.000+01:00

Ian and I went to The Centre For Alternative Energy today which is located near Machynlleth which was very interesting and the way in was via a cliff railway with stunning views of Carer Idris.
We found a quiet spot further up the valley in the afternoon to brew up afternoon tea with a little help from Storm who insisted on making it!
and we managed to find a really nice camp site called Cedris with excellent views near Abergynolwyn.

We cooked inside tonight as the evening was cool and windy and then crashed out - well some of us did!

Wales: North Pembroke Coast

2007-07-25T18:05:00.000+01:00

After a scrummy breakfast of bacon butties and hot coffee with a fantastic view over the cliffs on a bright sunny morning........
we set off north along the coast road to Newgale with it's endless sandy beaches and amazing surf for a walk, paddle and generally to have lots of fun getting wet with the dogs.....

after yet another cream tea with scones and jam we went to Fishguard

before finding a really nice camp site just outside Aberaeron called Drefnewydd Farm to set up camp for the night. We had a BBQ and an evening walk down the beach to watch the sunset.

Wales: South Pembrooke Coast

2007-07-24T17:30:00.000+01:00

We left Emmas this morning for Wales and the Pembrooke Coast and found a great little spot called Little Haven and stopped for a beer and a paddle in the sea with the dogs.....

before continuing along the coast to a cliff top view point where we relaxed and had a wander along the cliffs......

we then stopped at Michaels Haven which is right on the end of the peninsular....

and found a great little camp site nearby, right on the cliff edge, called Westhook Farm
we took an evening walk along the cliff tops on the Pembrooke Coastal Walk.....

and then settled down to a BBQ of steak and salad with Somerset Scrumpy....

Somerset: Wookey, Wells And Chedder

2007-07-23T17:07:00.000+01:00

After a great breakfast at Yeo Vale House we set off to meet Emma at Wookey Hole for a trip down the caves....
before visiting Chedder Gorge..........
and then Wells Cathedral........

We went to Andrea and Marks for tea and an evening of music and wine before staying the night at Emmas house.

Devon: Yeo Vale House

2007-07-22T21:53:00.000+01:00

Today Ian and I went to Instow Beach to play, swim and walk the dogs.....
and then went to meet our pals Sandra and Dave at a delightful B&B called Yeo Vale House - set in a wonderful valley near Bideford.

We were greated by a fantastic lunch which was followed up by wine in the beautiful gardens.....

and a lot of playing with Siula, Storm and Sandra and Dave's dogs Holly and India.....
then a walk in the surrounding countryside before retiring to a wonderful bedroom with fantastic views.........

Devon: Exmoor and Lynton and Lynmouth

2007-07-21T21:15:00.000+01:00

We left Billy and Brians this morning and headed off to Exmoor where we went for a walk with the dogs....
and then we continued onto Lynton and Lynmouth where we took the cliff railway between the two villages and had a wonderful Devonshire tea with scones, jam and clotted cream.

we then drove to Saunton Sands and found a nice camp site at Lobbfields near Clovelley to camp for the night.

Wales via Devon!

2007-07-20T20:57:00.000+01:00

Ian and I set off for our weeks holiday in Wales via Devon - yes I know we live in Cumbria and it's a wee bit of a detour but we had a very good reason - we have pals there who we wanted to visit and so it semed a good idea to go that way!

Unfortunately we got caught up in the torrential storms on the M5 on our way down and ended up staying at our pals in Somerset - who we werent meant to be seeing til Monday!

Note the white line under the water which is the inside lane of the Motorway!

So we ended up at Billy and Brian's in Axbridge (near Wookey and Chedder) having a meal in the local pub and a really nice evening with them.

Playing Tag!!!

2007-07-17T09:43:00.001+01:00

Ok so I should really try and learn 'techie' talk because somehow I've been 'tagged' by my buddy Alisdair. The first thing I knew about it was an email this morning saying.....Hi Amanda, You commented so you’re it … the rules are here http://manaboutthehouse.wordpress.com/2007/07/12/youre-it/

So far I've managed to put Alisdair in as a link! Then I went into the link and found this........ Volunteer 1. Ok, Amanda you’re it too … erm.....I don't remember volunteering???

The rules are name your 5 favourite restraunts and where you are. Thats easy - as my location is halfway up a fellside in Cumbria!

Well like Alisdair living out in the middle of nowhere kind of makes going to one a little hard! Especially if you want to class it as 'local'. So where is our nearest restraunt I thought - and have I been to it?

The Sun Inn, Coniston
This is my 2nd favourite place to eat out in.

It's local to us by only being about an hours drive away - not far considering the distance everything else is from us!

It was Ian's 40th birthday and this is where I took him out to see the full details look back on this blog to July 7/8th

Then there's the resturant we went out to for my birthday....

The Rice Bowl, Kendal

We went out with a load of pals for a really good Chinese meal - the best you can get in town. To see more info on the evening look back to April 14th.

and........
The Barnby Rudge, Tebay
We went for lunch here with pals Audrey and Colin (also pals of Alisdair and Jo's) after a bit of house hunting - it's about 7 miles from our new house.

I have to say it was an interesting event! It was a very local pub, the kind where as you walk in all the locals sitting at the bar turn round and look at you!

But the lunch was fantastic - Sunday roast at £5.95 and just like Grannys.

So onto my absolute favourite local spot to eat out in....

Our Balcony, High Carley
This has to be our absolute favourite place to eat out and we are always eating here - it's very popular with all our pals and you don't have to worry about driving home......
and the food is just scrumptious......
of course there's one other place we've eaten out in recently, it's really hidden away in the middle of nowhere, has the most fantastic views and serves the best cheese toasties ever!!! It's called......

Jo and Alistairs

So if I have any volunteers please leave a comment! or I may just go and grab a few!

Siula

2007-07-16T09:21:00.000+01:00

For some days now I've been coming in from work thinking that my mind must have wondered because the bed wasnt made and I was sure I had made it before I left in the morning.

Today I came in to find the culprit of my unmade bed still warm and snug in her 'nest'!!!!

Hanse Regatta 2007 - Day 2

2007-07-15T17:31:00.000+01:00

Another day of racing today and good results for Mojo!

Pity about the wind though as there wasnt much even though Tom put his theory about drinking whisky brings on the wind into practice!

Pics are Jack and the crew.......

Hanse Regatta 2007 - Day 1

2007-07-14T17:24:00.000+01:00

2 races were held today as part of the Hanse Regatta, Mojo, Pelagos and Jack all entered into the race along with the competition Lady Grey! However neither John or myself were able to race as we were working.

Jack suffered a steering failure which made getting her into her mooring a little bit tricky and Ian on Mojo got his fingers caught in the winch and turned Gerry's white boat and sails bright red!

But...... that didnt stop us going for drinks in The Ship after work!

High Carley - The Pig Pen

2007-07-13T14:08:00.000+01:00

The main bedroom was formerly the pig pen. Access is gained between the shippens down a short flight of stairs (we are built into a hill here)

The windows on each side were the doors and the area was split down the middle by a half height timber wall to create 2 pens each with their own entrance.

This has now been removed to create one large airy high ceilinged bedroom.
This room is the one room we are going to alter - we are going to lay a wooden floor and flue in the stove on a raised slate hearth in the corner.

High Carley - Stables and Shippen!

2007-07-13T09:00:00.000+01:00

Downstairs from the Mews are what was the original stable and shippens - the shippens have been left mainly in tact complete with the original slate and timber walls.

One is now our guest room............

The other the bathroom..........

The surveyor who came round put in his report that the internal walls needed upgrading whereas the whole appeal and charm to the barn for us was that the original charater had been kept and not ripped out or plastered over.

Originally these walls would have only been to the height of the slate but for the privacy of the guests and using the bathroom the walls have been plastered above the slate and timber and the half timber latch doors replaced with full height ones.

The stable however no longer bares any resemblence to one as it is now our stairs and hallway the door at the end of the hall leads into a large slate floored utility, pantry and store room......

High Carley - The Mews

2007-07-12T13:45:00.001+01:00

Ok I've tidied up and taken some pictures of the inside of the barn better known as High Carley!

We have one large room upstairs which is our kitchen, dining and lounge area

from this room are 2 doors either side of the fireplace opening up to the balcony

oh... and I forgot to mention the ceiling......

well I did tell you we lived in (quite literally) a barn!!!

An Evening On Complicated Lady

2007-07-11T13:28:00.000+01:00

Coniston and Langdale

2007-07-08T13:29:00.000+01:00

It was great to wake up this morning to hot sunshine and a great view with an early morning walk up Walna Scar Road before breakfast with the dogs....

we then took the dogs to the north shore of the lake for a swim and a play........

and went to Langdale for yet more swims and a coffee at The Britannia......

Coniston: Marchells Coppice And The Sun Inn

2007-07-07T12:55:00.000+01:00

Ian's 40th birthday present from me was a weekend in Coniston at the Sun Inn so we set off today via a stop for lunch at Pippins in Ambleside and then went for a walk at Marchell's Coppice on the east side of Coniston Water......

before checking into the Sun Inn and having a cool glass of white wine (in Ian's case Guiness)..........

and then a walk up Walna Scar Road behind the Inn..............
before a very nice relaxing evening meal in the resturant followed by coffee and liquers in the lounge......

and then retiring to a wonderful bedroom with a fantastic view.....

High Carley - A Walk In The Woods

2007-07-01T12:52:00.000+01:00

and so after a late morning rising, followed by bacon butties we all took a brisk walk into the woods at the bottom of the garden...