Friday 28 February 2014

Day 10 - Frosty Morning

Woke up to see the sun shining and the ground covered in frost, first time since I've been away.


What to do today, usually I spend my last day going onto Holy Island but the tide timetable is not very good. So realising this I then remembered that I have not done my usual walk around the village and local fields.


So exciting to see signs of spring.


Naughty escapee chicken - guess it thinks like my girlies - "grass is always greener on the other side".


There was just one sheep in the field and it looked so comfortable and happy with the girlies.


The views are not quite so dynamic and exciting as the last few days.


I was really surprised and delighted to see this view again.


As I was walking down the track a sprayer came up towards me and then onto the field. I stood in awe as the driver released the mechanism to get the spray arms into place. He probably wondered why I was watching. As it moved off it reminded me of an aeroplane when it first sets off and the wings wobble.


View of OUR village! This holiday has reminded me of how much I love being outside. Anyway time to head to Berwick to get a bit of shopping done and return my books etc to the library. All this surely means I deserve a visit to The Corner House Cafe. Treated myself to pea and mint soup with crusty bread and of course with a cuppa.


This holiday I have managed to listen to three stories, unabridged. This one by Sue Townsend I was not too sure when I first started listening to it, but then it grew on me and was very thought provoking. Can really recommend it.


This one was not a cd or cassette but a little device that you just attach your ear phones. It was great as I was able to take it out with me as I was walking the hills.


It was a good yarn, easy listening - ideal for me.


This was my absolute favourite story. It was brilliant and had so many twists, even up to the end - LOVED IT.

With the weather so lovely, I decided to go to a local nature reserve.


The woods here have red squirrels but sadly I have never seen any.


The area was previously a mining area.







Really like seeing these type of stiles. They are great for sitting on and getting a good view of the area.
























Lovely view across the moor. My eyes might be enjoying the walk but my feet are screaming out "please stop". They are aching like mad. Time to go home and pack up my stuff, ready for my return to Leicester tomorrow. As I am loading the car the sky becomes a lovely colour.



I have to say thank you to my lovely hubby for letting me take this time to come away. I think it has been obvious that I have had a brilliant time and the most amazing weather. So this is my last holiday blog and it will be back to blogging either once or twice a week. Thank you for reading.

Thursday 27 February 2014

Day Nine - Ingram to Chesters to Hills and to Ingram Again!

Having had my appetite whetted for the hills, feet had a days rest, time to head back to the Cheviots. This time beginning at a rather easier spot to find on a map and by road! The walk I got from the book I showed you the other day. But today I have decided that Edward Baker is a pain in the neck. His description of the walk is soooooooo vague and he misses out so many things that would have been useful. Instead one is told various things when he feels like it and sign posts have since disappeared (I know I can't blame him for that). He also never gives you any idea as to how long before you see the next thing.  Classic example is this instruction: "Just before the top there is a division of the track. Take the right hand path....." Well the whole of the first part of the walk is up hill - what part does he mean - sooooo irritating. Everywhere there are paths being made by either people, farmers, sheep etc etc.


Cute cottages in Ingram - typical of the buildings in this part of the country.








This sign lulls you into a false sense of security. The walk was nearly 7 miles long and I didn't see another signpost like this till I got back into Ingram! Wish they'd put a few more up, so you can be confident that you're on the right path.










Time to stop moaning!




The views are just marvellous.



I just loved walking where I could see snow on top of the hills, it gave me a real buzz.


After being high up in the hills the route descended to this plantation. I guess the owners have decided to protect it from animals, and I'm guessing deer from the height of the fencing.



Then I wasn't too sure what the book meant when it said "After fording a small burn" - what does "fording" mean? I soon found out.


The picture does not look very dramatic, but I had to get across and it was, believe you me, much deeper than it looks. Also the logs and stones were very slippery and slimy. But I wasn't going back, not after I'd come this far and only getting lost once!


Ta dah, reached the other side without falling in or getting wet - high five!


After being exposed to the winds, being in such exposed expanse, it's a pleasant break to walk through this plantation, and enjoy the suns heat, but not for very long before I am out of it and out exposed to the elements.


This is it - this is Chesters. Mr P said he couldn't find it on a map, on the computer, not surprising really. I did find someone else has been here and written about it on their blog. Have a look the pictures are lovely and he had some snow too, click here to read.


Another lovely view.


It was around here that I heard lots of curlews calling and also saw a hare making a dash across the grass - obviously having no idea how slow I can run!


LUNCH TIME and this is my view, at Thieves Road Plantation. I have no idea why what looks like a small copse to me is called that - makes it sound exciting. Had visions of highway men stashing their  loot deep into the woods! Found a sheet of corrugated metal and chose to sit on it as at least my posterior was kept dry! Actually got a phone signal here and Mr P gave me a quick call to check up on my progress.


Just look at the state of my boots and trousers - Mr P says I'm a messy walker!

Now I don't know what happened next - maybe I left my brain at this spot, or maybe I was just busy thinking about the murder I was listening to and my body full with tea and sandwiches. Anyway the inevitable happens - I go downhill and arrive by some woods that I should not be seeing! Uh oh where am I? What have I done wrong. Of course there is no one to ask, well there were the sheep.


But they don't look as if they can give me the answer as to which way to walk. So I study the map intently, looking at everything I can possibly see. Eventually I decide that somehow I have walked down the hill when I should have stayed at the same level. So I make my way back up a hill and find what I hope should be the path I should be on. But typical of this area there are soooo many paths and I find myself checking and rechecking and wondering am I doing right. At this time it decides to rain just to add more drama to the moment. But I'm on my own and there's no option to phone a friend etc etc. I have got to rely on myself and God! So trying to install confidence into myself and stop myself panicking I carry on trying to trust myself.


Well is this a God moment or not? What more do I want - an arrow coming from the sky? So I continued to put my faith in myself and God and continue forwards. As I rounded this bend I could begin to see a new valley lying in front of me - looking very much like Ingram. Wahay! Another "high five" moment to God and myself.


 Hurray for Ingram. Time now for an arty farty picture!




 A final view looking to the side of where I was walking.



Then I had reached the village of Ingram.


As I was passing this church I was just amazed at the sheer quantity of snowdrops.


Time for a cuppa and a piece of cake by the river.


Final picture is the state of my attire!


I have had another fabulous day and now I think the water should have heated up for me to take a bath - good job you all can't smell me!

Wednesday 26 February 2014

Day Eight - This and That

After yesterdays walk I decided to have a bit of a lazy day, to give some of my previously unused muscles a break! It ended up with a mooch around a few shops, a trip to the library and a visit to the beach.


Finally finished listening to this nice murder.


Parked the car in Berwick near the ramparts. Amazing that you are allowed to drive through it.



Noticed more confusion over whether I am in England or Scotland?



Found a new charity shop and bought this cute top for 50p - looks brand new and came from the Disney shop. Baby Rowan is doing well - sorry girls.


Found two pretty pillow cases for 25p each I just loved the embroidery.








Well time to head to the beach to do some combing for bleached twigs.




When I held this pebble it reminded me of a toffee sweet.




























Strong wind again today, not as bad as Sunday, so I didn't spend too long on the beach. Back home to become creative.






I don't know what you think - maybe I'm being childish and they look silly. The above one is in the bathroom and the one below I have put in the bedroom that tends to be used by children. So perhaps the guests can always think it's suitable for that purpose.



Well tomorrow I'm heading for the hills. Becoming VERY aware that my holiday will soon be coming to an end :( . I'm having such fun, missing Mr P lots and so I know it's with mixed feelings that I will return to Leicester. Enough of that time to go and get the washing up done before Midsomer Murder.