Spectacular Sunrise

I had a trip to Leeds last Saturday. This model was in Harvey Nicks window.

A fashion statement

Would you like to buy a handbag from Louis Vuitton?

Designer handbag 

The willow pheasant I made is now perched on the wooden seat near the scarecrows.

 A pleasant pheasant

We have pruned the fruit trees as several branches had broken due to the weight of the fruit. I have been clearing the soil at the base of the trees and have planted some snowdrop bulbs.

The Victoria plum tree

I have filled my plant containers with bulbs. To protect them against being eaten by mice I have put 'hairnets' on top of the plant pots. I will remove these when the bulbs start to shoot. I recycled an old torn garden net for the hairnet.

 Rabbits net allowed

The borders are now clear of the summer bedding plants and I have planted some late daffodils and tulips. I have a lot of foxgloves that have self seeded. I will transplant these on the outside wall of the garden.

We also trimmed the side of the hedge as it was spreading into the flower border

I am still harvesting kale and leeks. 

A kale crown

Some giant toadstools have appeared in the garden.

Toadus maximus

Recently we have had dark mornings and foggy days with grey skies, but on Tuesday there was a superb sunrise. So spectacular as the sky constantly changed. 

A fantastic richness of colour

The colour gradually spreads across the sky

Look at the cloud patterns

Golden clouds

Next week I am doing a workshop in Kirkoswald primary school making recycled owls. I have been working on the design and I am really looking forward to working with the children and seeing their ideas.

Three little owls to school are we

Terr Witt

Hills and Hartside

Last Friday I drove from Melmerby in the Eden Valley along the A686 to Hartside. This is regarded as on of the best drives in the world and I have to agree. I have done this trip in all weathers across all seasons and I am never disappointed with the magnificence of the sheer natural beauty.

At the start of the climb looking back towards the Eden Valley.

Undulating hills 

As you get higher the quality of the soil is poorer.

Look at the dry stone wall field boundaries

The bracken has died back and the trees are bare.

The hills meet the road

Lovely signposts from the days when the local authority was Cumberland.

How many miles to Alston?

As you climb more and more of the spectacular view is revealed. The road twists and turns so the view is constantly changing.

Now the Lakeland hills can be viewed in the distance.

More barren  rock is exposed on the hillside.

Tubes for new trees to protect them from rabbits and deer

A moorland landscape at the top of Hartside which is 756 metres high. 

A regiment of conifers adds a patch of green to a bleak landscape.

A field barn stands lonely with only a few sheep for company. 

On the Alston side of the Hartside summit.

Looking across towards Cross Fell.

If you look carefully you can see a few houses scattered in the landscape.

Looking through the barren tree branches towards a stream. 

Gnarled and twisted branches covered in moss and lichen

Look at the rock strata and the tufted grass. 

Chunky slabs of rock

A dry stone wall.

Look at the structure of the wall. Some stones go through the wall and these are known as

'throughs' and they lock both sides of the wall together.

I saw this from the road between Bolton Abbey and Blubberhouses in North Yorkshire. Halloween meets the Tour de France or as it is known in Yorkshire the Tour de Yorkshire.

No broomstick for me, cackle cackle

On a house wall in Harrogate.

A tour de force.

The sky at this time of the year can be beautiful.

The clouds are tinted with the setting sun

The colours change so quickly. Look at the spaces between the clouds.

Can you see the vapour trail of a plane like an arrow in the sky?

Do you think sheep are interested in a sunset?

The hills are bathed in the palest of pale pink hues

Blackwell Beckons

Recently I had a trip to 'Blackwell' an Arts and Crafts house in the Lake District. The house was designed by Baillie Scott as a holiday home for Sir Edward Holt a wealthy Manchester brewer. There were stunning views of Lake Windermere from many of the rooms.
Looking around the house there was some beautifully designed furniture and textiles.

These pretty delft tiles were the background to a fireplace.

So many stories within each tile

The shape and texture of this pottery bird is very attractive.

  Look carefully at the detail

I love the stylized flower design on this chair back.

Shapes with so much movement and flow

This bird motif was featured in a book.

This bird looks as though it is about to fly

A wooden print block used as a mould to form the pattern on a bedroom ceiling. 

Flowers and leaves

This barrel shaped chair has more style than comfort.

Situated in the White Room with stunning views overlooking the lake 

The simplicity of style of this white jug.

A style reminiscent of Charlies Rennie Macintosh

A pretty plate for serving sandwiches for afternoon tea.

Cucumber sandwiches anyone?

The embroidery on this pillow is quite superb.

A wonderful place to rest your head

A patchwork bed quilt made from hexagons. I have made a cushion using this method. You create the hexagon shape over a cardboard or paper template. it is very time consuming and is hand sewn.

Hand stitched with love and care

Standing in a corner of a room was a pair of gentlemen's riding boots. 

Hunters boots

Look at the boot former's inside the boots to hold their shape.

You need support in boots of this length

This week I decided to make my own orange and lemon peel. There was a glorious fruity smell that permeated the kitchen as I boiled the peel.

Candied peel

I used this peel in my Christmas puddings all 6 of them. It was a grey day and I had the fan and windows open to get rid of the steam. They are all now wrapped up ready for Christmas Day. 

 Raw pudding mixture. As you stir the pudding you make a wish

Travelling around the countryside it pays to look. This interesting milestone I discovered in Alston.

How many miles in total?

Autumn's Arrived

Autumn suddenly seems to have arrived as the weather has become a lot colder. The extended summer has meant that many flowers are coming into bloom for a second time.This dainty blue delphinium has escaped the frost.

A beautiful shade of royal blue

White and pink snapdragons are still in bloom.

 A bee amongst the snapdragons

The white daisies that I planted late in the summer have formed lovely clusters of flowers on the edge of the border.

There is a lovely contrast between the white petals and yellow centres 

This pretty yellow jasmine is against the barn wall.

A wall of yellow jewels

I have planted the majority of my bulbs including daffodils, tulips and alliums. With summer lasting for so long this year I was reluctant to clear the summer bedding plants. Last week on a grey day I planted my garlic making sure I have my crop rotation correct for next year. 

On Tuesday on a damp misty morning I traveled to Alston over Hartside. This is the view from halfway up the hill looking back towards the Eden Valley. At the summit was thick fog.

Can you see the mist clinging in the valley and the strange dips in the landscape?

Now is the time for me to start planning my Christmas card designs and I have bought the ingredients for making my Christmas puddings and cakes.

I saw this in a shop.
'Gardeners Learn Through Trowel and Error'