Travelling the Byways

We set off early [8.30am] this morning to travel some of the Byways of Northamptonshire.
What a glorious day, nice bright sunshine but not too hot. Starting with the Byway that runs along side Overstone Park we travelled through Holcot to the Byway near Walgrave. Onward through Old to the byway running past Faxton where the sheep and lambs seem to want to escape when you open the gates. Our route then took us through countryside around Maidwell, where we came to a dead stop as the gate had not been unlocked after the Winter closure. A zig-zag of Byways from Thornby to Cold Ashby and Elkington to our final Byway which is a flowing river near Dodford.

Luckily as I opened the gate the cows, and bull were far across the other side of the field!

On gate duty again

The dreaded Rape seed which has Chris coughing and sneezing.

A tight entrance made to stop people flytipping

Taking it slow

Almost through the twists and turns

All stop for the Cow crossing

Lots of new lambs in the fields

Entering the water at Dodford.
Should have been a video but my camera did not cooperate and I could not get Chris to back up so I could have another go!

Home at 3.30pm in need of a cuppa and a car wash.

A visit to my garden

I would like to invite you to visit my garden via Blogland.

Last years compost bin has been planted with a courgette plant
I have done this in previous years and had a bumper crop before reusing the compost in the garden.

Decided a lavender tree and petunias would look nice next to my new Arbour.

Love how the Rhododendron starts with a pink bud that turns into a pretty white flower
Thanks Uncle Charlie for this plant that was dug up from his garden after he died.

Camellia 'Deborah' always a very showy plant full of flowers
Given to me by French visitors who did not know my sisters name is Deborah.

Spending a lot of time here in the summer house, with it's new carpet and quilts on the walls.

I'm hiding!

Don't look at me!

Here's my rear view!
I seem to have a number of newts in my pond this year I could watch them all day.

16 new fish joined the pond today,
 it has been fun watching the original fish make friends with them.
We lost a lot to a heron the end of last year, so I'm hoping he has moved and leaves my pond alone.

BBQ with the family

Lovely sunny day so after church the family arrived for a BBQ and a game of lawn darts.
Large cream cakes from Costco went down a treat.

Abigail Eleanor and Richard

Sitting in the summer house with its new carpet and quilts on the walls.

One down, One to go

Chris has turned into a lumberjack!

Some time ago we decided to get rid of two trees in the front garden and leave only the one.
The tops were removed and then holidays and very wet weather slowed down the action.
Today with a large axe the roots were cut through and then the Land Rover winch was used to fell the tree.
My guess is next move will be to use his new chain saw to cut it into pieces.

Roots attacked with an axe

TIMBER!

May has arrived

I seem to have been too busy to blog lately, I definitely need to retire from retirement!
We have been busy in the garden making a few changes, like raised beds and re-carpeting the summer house, not to mention all the new plants that did not plant themselves!
I managed to catch up with a friend I had not seen in over a year, get a much needed hair cut and have a cholesterol test, to mention just a few of the things that have kept me busy.

Our monthly IAM craft meeting was inspiring as usual with lots of different idea for knitting, sewing and crochet. I completely forgot to take any photos!

When I started my knitting/crochet revival I made a promise to myself not to let it get out of hand and only have one project on the go at any one time! No idea how I now have two pairs of socks half finished, a crochet blanket only a third completed, a set of crochet sunflowers half finished, etc etc...
But on a positive note I have completed a shawl I have been working on for some time.

blocked to dry in the sun

close up of the edging

I also completed my Jelly Roll Rug, which will go in my bathroom as soon as I find time to iron it.

Wearing my Leicester City socks!

Notebook workshop

Nice relaxing day today on a workshop in Bedford. Thanks Sue for organising this.

Managed to complete a notebook cover, thanks Mavis for the lesson.

Birthday cake for Sue, very yummy, thanks Penny.

Hope to make some more for gifts.

Day 11 Strathpeffer

We decided to have a lazy Sunday in Strathpeffer before we make the 500+ mile journey home tomorrow.

Needing fuel and a sandwich for lunch we made a quick stop to Tesco in Dingwall, on the way back we visited the Old Railway Station gift shop, but it was closed! In the entrance was this carving made from one piece of wood. I know nothing about it, bust it was a real work of art.

I would love to know more about this. I Think there is a woodcarver in one of the Station huts but again it was closed.

One place we would have liked to visit was the Pump room but that too was closed, so back at the hotel we played Rummikub and I worked on my sock knitting.

Day 10 Dornoch to Strathpeffer

Awoke to sunshine and the beautiful view across the Dornoch Firth, I will be sorry to leave this hotel.

Our first stop of the day The Mermaid of the North at Balintore.

She sits on a rock named Clach Dubh, black rock in Gaelic.

Made by Steve Hayward the ten feet bronzed wood mermaid was made in 2007.

Legend tells that a fisherman stole a beautiful mermaid and hid her tail. 

Years later after bearing his children she escaped back to sea, returning regularly to feed her children.

At high tide her tail dips into the sea.

Psalm 107, they that go down to the sea......

Three large salmon in the same small village

Nigg Old Trust and church with its 8th century Pictish monument

A place of worship for over 1200 years.

Well kept this church was so interesting

The Pictish monument found in the church yard is now saved from the weather and inside for all the see.

The craftsmanship to engrave such a stone is amazing.

The back of the stone.

Inside the church, with the pews in the shape of a cross.

Further along on our travels the Cromarty Firth is dotted with oil rig platforms.

Most of this trip I have sat with our passport and NC500 map on my lap, we are now nearing the end of our 500+ miles journey.

Last stop the GlenOrd Distillery at Muir of Ord where we produce our completed passport and the three photos 

we needed to take to receive a commemorative Whisky glass. The manager gave us two which was really nice of her.

Chris decided to take the tour and tasting, I decided to sit in the sun and knit as my knees have been playing me up.

On walking back to the car a lady was sitting knitting while her husband went on the tour so we sat together and chatted.

Claire came from Ontario Canada and we both enjoyed the company chatting and knitting.

Last two nights in Scotland will be spent back in Strathpeffer where we started this wonderful trip.

Day 9 John O’Groats to Dornoch

Slight change of plan today, decided against the Shepherds Hut and headed for Dornoch Hotel. Need more comfort!

Loved seeing the Highland bull looking over the fence as we ate breakfast in the B&B.

Fill your own bottle,  but beware it costs over £200!

Decided to have a tour of the distillery, £10 each and a thimble of Whisky at the end, plus I’m teetotal!

But it was very interesting.

Love the shape, not so sure about the smell!

Whisky stored in Bourbon or Sherry casks.

A short detour off our NC500route took us to the Grey Camster Cairns

Really interesting, but no way was I going inside!

Only about four foot high the entrances into a dark cairn

Again another short detour and we came across this shop that had been yarn bombed...I loved it!

Think it was in Helmsdale

Yet another distillery to get our passport stamped j

Chris had never heard of this brand, but apparently 95% goes to be mixed 

Driveway to Dunrobin Castle

Decided not to go on the tour, just got our Passport stamped and took a photo

View from our bedroom window this evening at Dornoch Hotel.

Love the view across the golf links to the sea.