Birds, Beetles, Frogs and Spiders

The weather again has been mixed and last weekend it was torrential rain in the Lake District. Trying to stay dry I visited the Cumberland Pencil Museum in Keswick. 

This van was once used to transport goods.

How many pencils does this van hold?

These wonderful pencil artworks are from a time gone by.

Pencil Circles

Pen nibs

1920 pencil packs

At one time the factory's had a clock where you 'clocked in' and 'clocked out' of work.

A clock that could tell a good story

The museum made a secret pencil for use in world war 2. Hidden inside the pencil was a map, how ingenious.

The third pencil in the row is the secret pencil

A replica of the map pencil

I saw this beautiful round topped gypsy van on the road near Hexham in Northumberland.

Beautiful artwork

How about this for accommodation?

This takes camping to a new dimension

When weeding the flower border in the Artful Garden out jumped a frog.

A frog he would a hopping go 

This black beetle was basking in the sun on the stone flags in my garden.

A sun baked black shiny beetle

This metal spider was along the disused railway track at the Garden Station at Hexham.

Metal spiders

Here I also found some large toadstools.

Red for danger

Another poisonous toadstool

I am still harvesting carrots. I think these carrots could win a prize.

The Manx carrot

The suggestive carrot

Mrs Woody has taken up residence in the stone trough at the entrance to the Artful Garden. There have been so many visitors that she wants to keep track of all the compliments about the Artful Garden. 

Don't mess with Mrs Woody

The Ooh La La bird has flown in from France. She was attracted by the smell of the onions drying on the picnic table.

Cherie the Ooh La la Bird

These don't look much like eggs

Cherie's beak and legs are made from a pair of wooden laundry tongs that inspired her creation.

It is the harvesting season. I am still harvesting, potatoes, peas, carrots, onions, garlic, courgettes and runner beans. I also picked the last of the blackcurrants this week and the Autumn raspberries are starting ripen.   I have been busy making Hot Tomato Relish. recipe to follow next week.