It is always fun playing tourist in your local area. Having joined the National Trust last year, yes I am at that age. A look in the National Trust handbook and decided to visit Acorn Bank just outside Penrith. A breakfast stop at Mrs Miller’s tearoom at Hazeldene garden centre, which is definitely worth a visit and is 2 minutes from Acorn Bank. Continue reading Acorn Bank
London Marathon weekend was here *gasps. Maranoia takes over….
I was a mix of complete nerves and excitement. Those who read my blog will have read my journey. Self doubt along the way, my body showing me we are strong. I was just so happy to have the miles in my legs to fulfil my gold bond commitment to Brathay. A Different story to last year when I had to pull out due to injury. Continue reading London baby
It’s always nice playing tourist in your area. Dalemain was another of those places I have visited countless times with work but never explored.
Dalemain is a few miles outside Penrith. The name Dalemain means ‘manor in the valley’, there has been a settlement in it’s position since the time of the Saxons. The house was opened to the public in 1977 but remains very much lived in by the Hasell-McCosh family where rooms are used throughout the year.
We were lucky when we visited to get in the guided tour. This was included in the entry price and really bought looking round the house to life. The house is fantastic as were the gardens. The gardens were colourful as spring has sprung.
I was so glad finally properly visited here and of course they have fabulous coffee and scones.
Having seen pictures of the Kelpies, it had to go on my to visit list. For those of you who don’t know what they are. The Kelpies are 30 metre high horse-head sculptures, standing next to a new extension to the Forth and Clyde Canal, and near River Carron, in The Helix, a new parkland project built to connect 16 communities in the Falkirk Council Area, Scotland. The sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. The Kelpies are a monument to horse powered heritage across Scotland. Continue reading Kelpies
If it wasn’t for my friend Simon inviting is to share his 50th celebrations in Cornwall, I would never have wanted to explore this fantastic region. In hindsight, it was a bit of a drive at the time for a weekend in Cornwall, especially living up North in Cumbria. But it was so worth it. A different vista than living in the Lake District but so beautiful in a different way. We were so struck by its beauty we decided to do a week’s holiday here in January. For the birthday weekend we were staying at Whitsands Bay, so for our holiday went even further south staying near Marazion. Continue reading Cornwall
It’s a wet dreary day in the Lake District, yes I know living here for 27 years I should be used to it by now. Not wanting to waste my Sunday, I consulted my where I want to visit list. Lakeland motor museum at Backbarrow was today’s destination. Continue reading Playing tourist – Lakeland motor museum
This is another one of those places where I have visited tens of times with work but never properly visited. I did go to one of the Halloween nights but it was dark and didn’t see much! Continue reading Lowther Castle
A last minute decision to go to this lovely hotel on the edge of Bowness on Windermere for afternoon tea.
Afternoon Tea is a tea-related ritual, introduced in Britain in the early 1840s. It evolved as a mini meal to stem the hunger and anticipation of an evening meal at 8pm. Continue reading Afternoon tea at Ryebeck
Brantwood was another place which I had passed by hundreds of times but never ventured inside. Brantwood was the home of John Ruskin, he was the leading English art critic of the Victorian era, as well as an art patron, draughtsman, watercolourist, a prominent social thinker and philanthropis. Brantwood looks down to Coniston water and over towards the Coniston fells. Continue reading Brantwood
It’s always nice to play tourist on your doorstep, well I think it is. Mirehouse is a 17th-century house to the north of Keswick in Cumbria, at the foot of Dodd, near Bassenthwaite Lake and St Bega’s Church, on the A591 road. The house has limited visiting times, it is open for visitors from 1:30pm to 4:30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays. Continue reading Mirehouse
