The Pheasant's Secret Revealed!

It wasn't a bad morning and the patient had returned to school, so I drove about ten miles south to and a little beyond the hamlet of Hunstanworth on the Northwest Durham Moors.

That'll still be snow then!

For those of you that don't know this area, it's a bit wild even in the summer but on a day like this you don't want to break down!  There is a whole lot of not much at the end of that road, at least not till you get to Yorkshire.....!

Now if you are looking for a quiet rural property, with access to all the local amenities, what could be better than this?

Ever since I was a teenager out walking in these parts and the Yorkshire Dales (or The Dales as it is about to be renamed!) I have been fascinated by these walls.  Incidentally, the tower in the top left is an old ventilation chimney from the days of lead mining which was a huge industry here in "the good old days'  It must have been a pretty grim existence.

The Pheasant's Secret Revealed!

It wasn't a bad morning and the patient had returned to school, so I drove about ten miles south to and a little beyond the hamlet of Hunstanworth on the Northwest Durham Moors.

That'll still be snow then!

For those of you that don't know this area, it's a bit wild even in the summer but on a day like this you don't want to break down!  There is a whole lot of not much at the end of that road, at least not till you get to Yorkshire.....!

Now if you are looking for a quiet rural property, with access to all the local amenities, what could be better than this?

Ever since I was a teenager out walking in these parts and the Yorkshire Dales (or The Dales as it is about to be renamed!) I have been fascinated by these walls.  Incidentally, the tower in the top left is an old ventilation chimney from the days of lead mining which was a huge industry here in "the good old days'  It must have been a pretty grim existence.

Peacock

Another lovely day but sick child sitting again so limited opportunities for pictures.

Peacock

Another lovely day but sick child sitting again so limited opportunities for pictures.

Ice and Kylie Cows!

I was a quiet weekend but with lousy, wet miserable weather.

Today was a bright frosty day full of promise but the youngest girl was unwell and stayed at home from school and limited the photo-posibilities.  Never mind, still managed a few shots.

These Highland Cattle live in the field opposite my Mother's cottage.

Well there we are, not very exciting but after several days absence they are pictures!

Ice and Kylie Cows!

I was a quiet weekend but with lousy, wet miserable weather.

Today was a bright frosty day full of promise but the youngest girl was unwell and stayed at home from school and limited the photo-posibilities.  Never mind, still managed a few shots.

These Highland Cattle live in the field opposite my Mother's cottage.

Well there we are, not very exciting but after several days absence they are pictures!

Severe Weather Warning?

The Met Office is at it again!

We went to bed last night with the threat of another severe weather warning.  Opening the curtains this morning confirmed our doubts, not a thing!  Up at the cottage there was granted, an inch of snow but how on earth does the Met Office justify the huge sums of money it costs us every year?

Up at the cottage, the damp atmosphere down by the burn encourages lots of lichen to grow on the old thorns.  I have looked at it loads of times but today I saw the picture.

The Children's Mother keeps telling me what this little plant is, and I keep forgetting!

I have been watching the Women's Ice Dancing at the Olympics as I am writing this.  Some wonderful routines, one in particular, a Canadian girl whose Mother tragically died of a heart attack a couple of days ago, danced beautifully.

Now that takes guts!