Sunday 31 January 2010

The Children's Mother's Son

No.  I don't know either!

I expect he will grow out of it....


Strange, but he can't put a new bulb in his mothers car.

Edit:  He's fitted the new bulb!!

The Children's Mother's Son

No.  I don't know either!

I expect he will grow out of it....


Strange, but he can't put a new bulb in his mothers car.

Edit:  He's fitted the new bulb!!

Saturday 30 January 2010

Todays post?

Not a very exciting picture today but better than one of me out in the freezing cold tonight rodding the blocked drains!  Though I am sure most of you would have preferred that shot......!



Family Storey-Porteus can stop crossing their collective legs and now even have a wash!

Life's simple pleasures are definitely the best...!

Todays post?

Not a very exciting picture today but better than one of me out in the freezing cold tonight rodding the blocked drains!  Though I am sure most of you would have preferred that shot......!



Family Storey-Porteus can stop crossing their collective legs and now even have a wash!

Life's simple pleasures are definitely the best...!

Friday 29 January 2010

Boundaries

A few days break, lack of inspiration, energy and half decent weather all contributing to the lethargy!
This morning dawned dry and bright and this view appealed, you have seen shots of this hedge in summer and snow so it is nice to see the new season crops coming through.  Last year it was Phacelia so it will be interesting to see what comes up this year.

Boundaries

A few days break, lack of inspiration, energy and half decent weather all contributing to the lethargy!
This morning dawned dry and bright and this view appealed, you have seen shots of this hedge in summer and snow so it is nice to see the new season crops coming through.  Last year it was Phacelia so it will be interesting to see what comes up this year.

Saturday 23 January 2010

Tuesday 19 January 2010

Freezing Fog

Somewhere down there is a busy main road, normally very intrusive but this morning there was a deathly silence.  There had earlier been a serious road  accident a few miles closer to Newcastle and the road was completely closed.

Overnight we had a sharp frost and freezing fog and the roads round here were coated in black ice.  On my rounds I came across several other cars in ditches and buried in hedges.

On a brighter note, the freeze left a pool  of water in my Mother's field solidified in this lovely pattern.


I promised to discover more about the "Bunker Hill" at Slaley.
I finally took a 'covert' walk over the field (it is planted with wheat!) and crept through a gap in the railings, to discover that it was in fact a reservoir/pump-house constructed over a well in 1935, to supply water  to the then Woolley Sanatorium standing nearby.

Woolley Hospital was built in 1916 to treat the victims of gas attack in the trenches and later became a sanatorium for the treatment of TB.  After the ravages of the trenches and the largely 'city depravation' disease of TB, it must have been a great relief to the patients to spend some time in this beautiful location.  The hospital finally closed in the 70's and is now a private dwelling.

ps. Sorry but no shotgun wounds to report!

Freezing Fog

Somewhere down there is a busy main road, normally very intrusive but this morning there was a deathly silence.  There had earlier been a serious road  accident a few miles closer to Newcastle and the road was completely closed.

Overnight we had a sharp frost and freezing fog and the roads round here were coated in black ice.  On my rounds I came across several other cars in ditches and buried in hedges.

On a brighter note, the freeze left a pool  of water in my Mother's field solidified in this lovely pattern.


I promised to discover more about the "Bunker Hill" at Slaley.
I finally took a 'covert' walk over the field (it is planted with wheat!) and crept through a gap in the railings, to discover that it was in fact a reservoir/pump-house constructed over a well in 1935, to supply water  to the then Woolley Sanatorium standing nearby.

Woolley Hospital was built in 1916 to treat the victims of gas attack in the trenches and later became a sanatorium for the treatment of TB.  After the ravages of the trenches and the largely 'city depravation' disease of TB, it must have been a great relief to the patients to spend some time in this beautiful location.  The hospital finally closed in the 70's and is now a private dwelling.

ps. Sorry but no shotgun wounds to report!

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Bunker Hill?

I noticed this clump of trees near Slaley yesterday on my way to Hexham.  I couldn't even begin to guess how may times I have driven past  here over the years, thousands?


What I have never realised is that in the trees, is what appears to be an ex military bunker.  None of the locals seem to know anything about it so I will have to have a walk up there, perhaps tomorrow?

Depending on what I find and of course, depending on whether or not I get shot by the farmer, I will try and find out a little more....

Bunker Hill?

I noticed this clump of trees near Slaley yesterday on my way to Hexham.  I couldn't even begin to guess how may times I have driven past  here over the years, thousands?


What I have never realised is that in the trees, is what appears to be an ex military bunker.  None of the locals seem to know anything about it so I will have to have a walk up there, perhaps tomorrow?

Depending on what I find and of course, depending on whether or not I get shot by the farmer, I will try and find out a little more....

Tuesday 12 January 2010

"No Diff-lock Required!"

For the first time in around tree weeks, I was able to drive up to my Mother's cottage on tarmac (and potholes) instead of snow.  No four wheel drive and no diff-locks!!

By the time I arrived at her village though, it was snowing again.


The day was turning out to be really dreary, cold, wet and more sleet, and stayed that way until late evening.

Normally from here, you can see over to the 'Shire' and beyond to the moors but the heavy cloud and wet snow fall closed the view down to the edge of the village.

"No Diff-lock Required!"

For the first time in around tree weeks, I was able to drive up to my Mother's cottage on tarmac (and potholes) instead of snow.  No four wheel drive and no diff-locks!!

By the time I arrived at her village though, it was snowing again.


The day was turning out to be really dreary, cold, wet and more sleet, and stayed that way until late evening.

Normally from here, you can see over to the 'Shire' and beyond to the moors but the heavy cloud and wet snow fall closed the view down to the edge of the village.

Monday 11 January 2010

Ironing!

I spent the afternoon ironing!  Life doesn't get much better...

Ironing!

I spent the afternoon ironing!  Life doesn't get much better...

Sunday 10 January 2010

End of the Affair?


The Children's Mother's little affair is over!

I knew it wouldn't last, bound to melt away!  He might have looked 'cool' but I knew he didn't have the head for my woman!!

Mind you,  the atmosphere has been a little chilly for a few days but things are beginning to thaw...

End of the Affair?


The Children's Mother's little affair is over!

I knew it wouldn't last, bound to melt away!  He might have looked 'cool' but I knew he didn't have the head for my woman!!

Mind you,  the atmosphere has been a little chilly for a few days but things are beginning to thaw...

Saturday 9 January 2010

More Snow?

The forecast of overnight doom and gloom produced only a dusting of snow but the sky was certainly threatening much more!


More Snow?

The forecast of overnight doom and gloom produced only a dusting of snow but the sky was certainly threatening much more!


Friday 8 January 2010

Sub Zero!

In common with the rest of the country, it was bitterly cold here this morning but glorious!

The Children's Mother and I stopped on a local track to take a few pictures, she sensibly, from the pathetic warmth of the Landrover, then I jumped out to take this and a few other shots.  I squinted into the viewfinder and my contact lens started to freeze!!  Normally I am cursing these power lines but this morning they were covered in hoar frost and fitted in quite nicely, thank you!

Lots of blinking, a few more shots and back into the car.

Then The Children's Mother said she would like to walk the rest of the way to take some more pictures.....

She arrived about 15 minutes later, frozen!!  Thankfully with some nice pictures.

Jobs done, we took a different route home, thank heavens for 4 wheel drive! and took more pictures.

Good fun as at this time of year we rarely get time to get out to play together.

Last night, there was a lovely sunset at the yard but without a tripod all efforts came to nought.  Tonight I set out fully armed and was fortunate enough to see a sunset that was even better than last night.  Lucky!

Sub Zero!

In common with the rest of the country, it was bitterly cold here this morning but glorious!

The Children's Mother and I stopped on a local track to take a few pictures, she sensibly, from the pathetic warmth of the Landrover, then I jumped out to take this and a few other shots.  I squinted into the viewfinder and my contact lens started to freeze!!  Normally I am cursing these power lines but this morning they were covered in hoar frost and fitted in quite nicely, thank you!

Lots of blinking, a few more shots and back into the car.

Then The Children's Mother said she would like to walk the rest of the way to take some more pictures.....

She arrived about 15 minutes later, frozen!!  Thankfully with some nice pictures.

Jobs done, we took a different route home, thank heavens for 4 wheel drive! and took more pictures.

Good fun as at this time of year we rarely get time to get out to play together.

Last night, there was a lovely sunset at the yard but without a tripod all efforts came to nought.  Tonight I set out fully armed and was fortunate enough to see a sunset that was even better than last night.  Lucky!

Thursday 7 January 2010

The Cottage

Another four inches of snow last night!




My Mother's cottage is now sporting the most impressive icicles that I have seen for years.  (We really must sort of the roof insulation).

There is now well over a foot of snow lying and the Landrover  is the only practical way that I can get up there to see her and do the animals.  Today she had an important appointment in Hexham so we had a drive though a glorious, snowy landscape.  Tomorrow might not have been so pleasant, heavy snow is forecast for most of the day!



Still, the morning was very cold but wonderfully sunny and there was time for an 'arty' shot for the purists!

The Cottage

Another four inches of snow last night!




My Mother's cottage is now sporting the most impressive icicles that I have seen for years.  (We really must sort of the roof insulation).

There is now well over a foot of snow lying and the Landrover  is the only practical way that I can get up there to see her and do the animals.  Today she had an important appointment in Hexham so we had a drive though a glorious, snowy landscape.  Tomorrow might not have been so pleasant, heavy snow is forecast for most of the day!



Still, the morning was very cold but wonderfully sunny and there was time for an 'arty' shot for the purists!

Wednesday 6 January 2010

The Other Man...!

I left the house this morning to see to all the animals (and Mother!),  the snow was deep and even, though not at all crisp! at the cottage.  All the schools are closed and The Children's Mother's son couldn't get to work.

When I got home, there The Children's Mother was, flaunting herself in full view of the world,

with another man!


Tall, white and commonly handsome.  He looked a cold type;  how could she?


Never mind, it's a good job that I put down a good bed at the stables, I can sleep there....






The road to ........ well who knows?


Edit.

Back at the yard tonight it was cold, very cold!


30 minutes later, I was driving back from the cottage and the second lot of animals of the evening in heavy snow!

Welcome to Darkest Northumberland!

The Other Man...!

I left the house this morning to see to all the animals (and Mother!),  the snow was deep and even, though not at all crisp! at the cottage.  All the schools are closed and The Children's Mother's son couldn't get to work.

When I got home, there The Children's Mother was, flaunting herself in full view of the world,

with another man!


Tall, white and commonly handsome.  He looked a cold type;  how could she?


Never mind, it's a good job that I put down a good bed at the stables, I can sleep there....






The road to ........ well who knows?


Edit.

Back at the yard tonight it was cold, very cold!


30 minutes later, I was driving back from the cottage and the second lot of animals of the evening in heavy snow!

Welcome to Darkest Northumberland!

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Snow Warning!

We had a little more snow overnight though we seem to have faired better that others.

Non the less, there is a warning of more snow tonight and the foreboding sky late morning did nothing to seed doubt.





Still, "The Good Lord giveth and the Good Lord taketh..!" so out with the camera.

As I write this, The Children's Mother is out in the recently recovered Focus collecting the girls on the 30 odd mile round trip school run and it has just started to snow again.

If the 'Good Lord' just gives her another fifteen minutes or so to get home safely.

Snow Warning!

We had a little more snow overnight though we seem to have faired better that others.

Non the less, there is a warning of more snow tonight and the foreboding sky late morning did nothing to seed doubt.





Still, "The Good Lord giveth and the Good Lord taketh..!" so out with the camera.

As I write this, The Children's Mother is out in the recently recovered Focus collecting the girls on the 30 odd mile round trip school run and it has just started to snow again.

If the 'Good Lord' just gives her another fifteen minutes or so to get home safely.

Monday 4 January 2010

No Sno Day!

It didn't snow today!

That's about it really...


Took a picture of one and a half  trees......


......and some fields.




Oh yes, and managed to rescue The Children's Mother's Focus tonight, from the snowy place where it was abandoned about five days ago!

No Sno Day!

It didn't snow today!

That's about it really...


Took a picture of one and a half  trees......


......and some fields.




Oh yes, and managed to rescue The Children's Mother's Focus tonight, from the snowy place where it was abandoned about five days ago!

Sunday 3 January 2010

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

More snow overnight, another inch or so down here but three or four at the cottage.


My Mother's neighbour's house is starting to blend in quite nicely!


Donkeys and hens done and Mother tea and caked! and off home.  A very snowy drive by the short route for the first time in days, too many sharp hills.   The Landrover would manage it I guess but why have the stress?

Still, an easy enough run back into the valley and the chance of a few shots on the way.


Home again for lunch and festive DVDs, "The Pianist" today.

Very jolly! and more explaining to the girls...



Oh well, time to go back out again!

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

More snow overnight, another inch or so down here but three or four at the cottage.


My Mother's neighbour's house is starting to blend in quite nicely!


Donkeys and hens done and Mother tea and caked! and off home.  A very snowy drive by the short route for the first time in days, too many sharp hills.   The Landrover would manage it I guess but why have the stress?

Still, an easy enough run back into the valley and the chance of a few shots on the way.


Home again for lunch and festive DVDs, "The Pianist" today.

Very jolly! and more explaining to the girls...



Oh well, time to go back out again!