Velvet Shank, or Winter Mushroom, so called as able to withstand freezing temperatures.

 We walked a loop from Allensford to Castleside this morning. Really windy but beautiful scenery.

 The fish is humongous at the new chippy nearby. I only had the small portion, which was still huge, and shared it with Tricksie Treat and Mr Blue Skye. Mr BS is a walking waste disposal unit so he also cleared up the couple of chips left on my plate.

 I thought only Ford Anglias could fly, but I guess someone’s been drinking too much while reading Harry Potter books, and thought their Audi could too…

 A cracking sunset view from my office in the attic.

 A rainy and windy day, yet on a patch of wasteland along the High St, a single rose bloomed.

 Fog blanketing the valley just outside of Hamsterley this morning.

 High tide at Seaham Hall. It was really windy, yet I couldn’t resist a walk along the beach and then running up the steps to get a little cardio workout in.

 After a lovely walk with a group around Causey Arch it was time for tea, with a cherry scone and jam.

 Tricksie Treat Grumbaleena, finally content with a full belly, after yowling for 10 minutes straight, because tea wasn’t on time.

 Looking into The Ship Inn at Middlestone, with Joanna at the bar, about to kick off quiz night. A fun evening with plenty of laughs, and the full range of Hawkstone beers.

 

 A other fab find on Facebook Marketplace. This is really heavy handmade wooden cabinet. Perfect for holding my touristy brochures for when friends come to stay.

 With Halloween approaching I walked to the window on the High St that had been decorated wonderfully for Easter the last time I looked. It didn’t disappoint. With a Stephen King feel to it, the house owner has filled the window with a horror clown theme. I’ll look forward to the Christmas showing.

 The Christmas cake is made, toting a small bottle of brandy within the mixed fruit, and I threw in a large tray of roasted veggies to make full use of the oven. 

 A beautiful scene of the Derwent River at Allensford on our walk this morning.

 I had Hendon beach almost to myself this morning. The sand was pristine with no footprints apart from my own.

 The sycamores, by the doctor’s office, appeared to be on fire in their autumn glory as the late afternoon sun lit them up.

 A canny view, of a typical mining village, looking down on Esh Winning from Esh.

 Burger can bliss! A bacon cheeseburger with onions and tomato sauce; note the proper cheese. Tasted just like I remember. Yum!

 A post box topper in Consett, in memory of the steelworks closure 45 years ago, with 11 poppies for the men list in the 1950 incident.

 Brontë leading the way into the dappled glade at Hamsterley Forest.

 I found a mirror to match the fireplace. I painted it white and it looks like they belong to each other. Not bad for £10!

 For me, this is such an English scene. Hedgerows with beautiful trees and farmland. I love it. 

 As we get the wind and rain from across the Atlantic, I decided to do some Facebook Marketplace shopping, and stopped for a portion of chips.

Letterbox toppers are really big in England , and last night, one appeared on our village letterbox. Made by a local lady, it’s gone viral on local Facebook pages, and all of us villagers are very proud of it!

 Mr Blue Skye and Tricksie Treat enjoying a snack with barely 6” between them. They’re gradually accepting each other. 

 I went on a tour at Brancepeth Castle this afternoon, a medieval castle with a rich history, and one of the 13 castles in County Durham.

 A puddle reflection on our walk this morning.

 The view from my desk in the attic was like a painting this evening.

 200 years ago the Locomotion No.1 with 3 coal trucks and the Experiment carriage for passengers made the first passenger journey in the world across this bridge. Skerne Bridge in Darlington is the world’s oldest railway bridge in continuous use. It was wonderful to be part of the celebrations, and see the same scene from 200 years ago reenacted today.

 This is a replica of George and Robert Stephenson’s Locomotion No.1, traveling the same route as 200 years ago, when it was the world’s first railway using a steam engine to carry passengers and freight. What a privilege to see this famous engine on this equally famous railway. And that’s Prince Edward at the back giving me a wave as he passed!

 While out collecting berries for my Hedgerow Jelly, I came across a herd of Dartmoor Ponies. Strange to see them up here, but they were in wonderful condition and quite friendly.

 Mr Blue Skye sitting in the sun, while Tricksie Treat watches me from her chair.

 Outside B&Q were these monstrosities. I couldn’t believe beautiful living heathers had been dyed artificial colors. Needless to say I gave them a wide berth.

 While on a foraging workshop, we spotted an unusual fungus on a tree, known as King Alfred’s Cake. King Alfred lived in the 9th century when parts of Britain had been overrun by Vikings. Trying to escape them, he took refuge in the home of a peasant woman who asked him to watch over her cakes, baking by the fire. He let them burn and was scolded by the woman for his negligence. It is said that embarrassed and ashamed, he scattered the cakes to get rid of the evidence. As the fungus looks like small, burnt cakes, especially as they get older, the name King Alfred’s cakes went into common use.

 I’ve seen this scene a few times and wanted to photograph it. Today, I sat on the side of the road and waited for the farmer to turn around in the field, and be immediately followed by a flock of seagulls.

Friday, September 19, 2025

 I spent over 2.5 hours yesterday taking advantage of this mast year, and picked over 7lbs of hawthorn berries. I’ve made 2L of hawthorn berry brandy, and started a gallon of hawthorn berry wine, both should be ready by Christmas.

 I’m loving sitting at my desk, with the computer and monitors finally set up, and the rain lashing down on one of the windows directly in front of me. We badly need it so no complaints from me, and I’m enjoying the sound of raindrops splashing all around me on the glass windows with occasional thunder rumbling in the distance.

 It shocked me to see this in a Sunderland bus stop. I also realized I hadn’t seen any homeless people since I moved to the north east, yet there had been many in Virginia…

 A fun day in Durham with Greg. Durham Castle looms over us as we walk into the city.

 Some of the ladies on today’s walk. Steep hills and just over 6 miles, it was a splendid walk.

 I never tire of these magnificent upright firs in Hamsterley Forest. 10 minutes into our walk it poured for the rest of the way. But we did have coffee and home made ginger biscuits when we got back.

 Back to the pictures again, this time to watch The Long Walk, a Stephen King film. It was done well, but was very depressing, so it was nice to get back to the foyer again. I love the decor, it’s almost futuristic.

Saturday, September 13, 2025

 Watching the finale of Downton Abbey. I’m so sad this has ended, it’s been a beautiful saga.

Friday, September 12, 2025

 I went on a tour of a POW camp, used during WW2, and only half an hour from home. Harperley was built by Italians and housed Germans. English Heritage are helping to protect it.

 I took my friend Karin around Ushaw Historic House after our walk, and showed her this glorious chapel.

 A wonderfully varied collection of chimney pots in Corbridge.

 A day out with Greg in Richmond. This is looking across to the castle ruins from a back cobbled street.

 Another great walk in Hamsterley Forest, a lot of hills this morning. 

 A farmer was selling vegetables at the market in Sedgefield today, and I couldn’t believe my luck when I bought his last stalk of brussels. Although I love brussels, the real prize for me was the leaves on top; I haven’t had those for about 35 years. I never saw them once in America.