Snow and Signposts

On Sunday I went searching for snow on Hartside at the top of the Pennine range. There was only a little snow on the drive up from Lazonby but once we started to walk behind Hartside cafe we were not disappointed. 

The view from Hartside looking towards Cross Fell.

A barren and beautiful landscape

The view looking towards the Eden Valley.

Snow and sky a stunning combination

A beautiful snow drift.

Wave patterns in the snow

Frozen overhanging snow

A pocket  in the snow

Sometimes hollows appear in the snow and you can see the vegetation underneath. 

A snow beard

The depth of the snow was deceptive as I was walking on the heath. You could suddenly find your foot sinking into a 30cm pile of snow that always managed to leave a snowball in your walking boot.

Deep feet

The snow had formed ice crystals which twinkle and shine.

Snow crystals

Glistening snow

I have been taking photos of the old metal signposts that appear on the lanes around where I live. They were put up when the county was know as Cumberland. They are always painted black and white.

The black and white stripe of Cumberland County Council

A circular top

Interesting place names

The lampposts are in different states of repair

At a local road junction

A single post

The crocus have now come into flower and the daffodils are in bud. Spring is on it's way.

Bonny purple crocus

Crocus and daffodils

Enjoying Edinburgh

The weather this week has been variable. We have had strong winds with an amber warning on Wednesday with wind speeds of 80 mph, rain and some sleet and a little snow. 

Snow on Cross Fell

This week I had a trip on the train to Edinburgh. I found a lovely traditional cheese shop in the Grassmarket part of the town.

What a lovely selection and look at all the different shapes

Cheeses made in Scotland and beyond

Edinburgh castle is very dramatic and sits on top of a rocky hill. 

Access is only by one route

Encompassing the natural environment and built to last

Looking over the city to the hills in the distance.

A view from the walk up to the castle

An imaginative skyline

Look at the beautiful coat of arms over the entrance.

Unfortunately no sentry in the box

This stag memorial was on the approach to the castle.

A royal stags head

I love the name of this cafe.

Brilliant humour guaranteed to make you smile

St Giles cathedral is located on the Royal Mile. The Thistle Chapel has some beautiful carvings. 

A beautiful lamp on a pew

The blue cross for St Andrew and the red cross for St George

Exquisite carving

We had lunch in the Witchery Secret Garden full of atmosphere where you could dine in style. 

Full of character and scrumptious food

In the Artful Garden the snowdrops in the orchard are now in full flower.

A carpet of white bells

 These are my pottery leaves that I have hung in the lilac tree.

Shades of green and red

The design is based on an actual leaf

Autumnal colours

Hearts and Flowers

The weather has been mixed, strong winds and rain with the occasional dry day. I have spent this last week making things to sell in Ravenbridge Stores in Kirkoswald. As Valentine's Day is approaching I took that as my theme.


These are examples of my paper flowers.

Variegated shades

Bright and cheerful

They are designed to hang or can be laid flat

A string of flowers

I have made one of my flowers into a birthday card.

The removable peg allows the flower to be used as a decoration

I have made hearts from a variety of different papers.

Candy colours

These are made from tissue paper that I have dyed and patterned.

Pretty in pastel

Some hearts I decorated with beads.

Seed beads and threads

I also decorated with a variety of threads.

Decorated with variegated threads and beads

I also made a selection of pottery hearts.

Valentine heart

Bonny flowers

Pretty in shades of yellow and pink

Shades of green

A selection of hearts

On my last trip to Hexham I took photos of some of the interesting buildings.
This bank had a beautiful copper dome.

A verdigris dome on the bank

This is a guild mark.

How many sheep can you see?

Sometimes it pays to look upwards.

A lovely building

I have now bottled my Damson wine. It is smooth, dark with a hint of autumn and has a 14% alcohol volume!

Glug

I was given these as a present, they add humour to the kitchen tasks.

Watch out mate it's red hot chilli in there, that's why I have turned bright red!

 dyed and patterned nrer