Happy Birthday Blog!

It dawned on me today that my blogging efforts are now one year old. I started after last new year when we had made the decision to move. A lot has happened in the last 12 months!

Mark and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary last week and marked the day by taking the children to visit the beautiful little village of Wetheral, about 4 miles east of Carlisle.

There is a beautiful church with a very poignant memorial to the first woman soldier to be killed in Aghanistan

A charming village green surrounded by Victorian villas

and a lovely railway viaduct with incredible views of the surrounding area

Just to make the day extra special, my lovely Marky had secretly arranged a babysitter and took me out for dinner at the excellent Cumberland Arms Hotel in Alston.

Christmas Preparations

Well, the children have their final day at school today and went off feeling very excited about the day of fun and festivities planned at school for them. They have all settled in so well and made friends. One of the things they like to do at school is cookery. They all recently made chocolate Yule logs - quite delicious they were too!

Daisy with her delicious chocolate cake.

I have a few things planned for them next week. There are still paper chains to make, table decorations to be made and some edible presents to be cooked. I thought I would have a go at making some of the River Cottage candied orange peel. Looks yummy! I made some stollen yesterday and wondered why I only ever make it at Christmas as it is so delicious. I think the reason may be that I would eat it all and get tremendously fat!!! Will get the little ones to make some more with me as it is delicious toasted for breakfast. Hopefully we will also have a bit more snow!

The house renovations are picking up speed. Daisy's room is almost done. We just need to decorate and add new curtains. She has a new floor, one that she won't fall through, as well as new sockets and lights. One of the things with old houses is the lack of sockets. There was just one before we rewired her room and we still have one room that doesn't have any! The downstairs room is having a new floor put in as I type. This will make a huge difference as it was the worst one in the house, tilting both away and to the side. Very interesting to walk on! Fingers crossed, the room may even be finished before Christmas..... I have been assured that my wonderful stone fire will be returned, fully repaired, some time today....am waiting patiently.

The White Stuff

I have just been reminded by the lovely Ruth that I haven't posted up any snowy pictures....so here goes..

The River South Tyne

View of the back of house (with the arch window) from Tyne Willows

The signal box at Alston railway station

These were taken yesterday, we have had at least another 4 inches since then and it is still snowing....The children have been very happy - an impromptu day off school and a town full of snow! Lots of fun to be had and snowmen to be built.

Hoping that the builders will be back on Wednesday to do the floor in Daisy's room and make a start on the downstairs room. Perhaps we might start making some progress. I was hoping to have the downstairs room finished for Christmas but now I'm not sure that we will be able to complete it in time. My sister in law says she wants to sleep in the kitchen next to the Aga anyway so perhaps I shouldn't worry about having it finished!

Neglected Blog and Other Things That Need Attention.

Its been a while since I posted and to be honest, the list of things that I mean to do each days just gets longer.... I have given myself a break from endless lists now and just plan to do one 'job' per day. Seems to be working so from now on its little and often. Staring my seventh week battling a cough I picked up whilst at a SAMM retreat in September...... but I am much more positive since I went so I guess its a trade off.

We finally have a cooker......It is so lovely and warm and makes the house feel like a home.....It also means that I no longer need to drive to Leadgate to use the cooker at the wonderful holiday farmhouse, High Aimshaugh (Fabulous holiday accommodation - perfect for families). Latterly I have been lucky enough to be able to use the one next door at the beautiful Robson's Cottage (Amazing little cottage -perfect for couples). Its nice to finally have ours though.

Fire Places and Racing Dogs

So here it is....

The top half has been filled in with stone and has since been removed. Can't believe anyone would just cover this up! The fire is approx early 18th century and the oak surround is a while later. It turned out that our next door neighbour has one almost identical that was dated by some official body a few years back.

I have already started stripping the surround down to the bare wood and it is looking beautiful The wood is such a rich colour. The plan is to clear the fire out and make it safe. We then need to repair the stone chimney breast and seal it. Once thats done, we can refit the surround. I'm so pleased that we found this and can't wait to see what it looks like when the work is complete!

Meanwhile......Saturday was the Alston Show. We ventured down to the field with the children and had a lovely time. The terrier racing was a delight to see and I have to admit that I didn't realise that there were so many different types of sheep!

Hidden treasures...

Settling in nicely and enjoying the beautiful weather that we have had for the last couple of days. Not sure it will last though... Anyhow, we have been busy. Or, more correctly, Mark has been busy. The orange coloured pine downstairs bathroom just had to go..

I'm sure it was a marvel to look at in the early seventies.....However, on removal of the pine we found..... the most amazing discovery.....a stone fire dating back to around the early 1700's, complete with an oak surround that dates a little later. There are also two cupboards to the right of the fire. I was so thrilled when we uncovered them. I can't believe that they were simply boxed in but then I am truly grateful that they hadn't just been ripped out... Will post up a photo of our hidden treasure next time. I wonder what else we will find in this amazing old house??

At last....

Well, it's August and....... we are finally here! Moved in just over a week ago and have managed to unpack most of the boxes. Well....almost!

The children have settled in really well and are spending most of their time down on the playing field. They have been to their new school for a play scheme and enjoyed themselves.

Happy to be showing Aunties E & H their new school!

It's time to start enjoying our new home now and getting to know our new town. It is so beautiful here, I never tire of looking at the amazing scenery. There is so much to do in the house but I think that is part of the fun. Taking our time and making plans.... Will post up some photos when I get chance, if I can remember where I put the camera once I unpacked it!!