They must’ve liked my smile when I ordered fish ‘n’ chips, as this is a double portion. Couldn’t eat all the batter and chips but the cod definitely disappeared.

A gorgeous walk around Shincliffe woodlands and the river with my favourite walking group. 

At a traction engine show in Chester-Le-Street today, just loving seeing these huge machines. And there were so many of them!

This warehouse in Durham has recently added a giraffe for some reason to the fence line, seemingly about to attack the plane. I’ll be watching this space to see if a story develops. 

My crate arrived this morning, and nothing was broken! So far, anyway, a lot of unpacking to do yet, but lovely to have my clothes and bikes here.

Refracted light through my front door sends rainbows throughout the lounge. It’s so pretty.

23 June 2025

I always love seeing this tiny cottage in the fields. Seeing it again today as I return to my house after having lunch with Peter and Tony at Key Lettings.

A sign outside the toilets in Waterstone’s in Darlington today. Made me chuckle.

I drove onto a building site to take a closer photo of how houses should be built. Solid structures of breeze blocks and bricks, not sticks and chipboard as many of the homes in America. 

Only 325 steps to the top of the tower at Durham Cathedral. Incredible views were the reward.

I’ve found my best local fish ‘n’ chips shop, only 12 minutes from the house, and it was outstanding. Washed down with a Timothy Taylor’s Landlord pale ale. A perfect way to end the week. 

I went to my local convenience shop this afternoon to get choc ices for the contractors, and was very impressed with the huge selection of choc ices and lollies. I think a few of these will make their way to my freezer. We had original Magnums and Maltesers bars today.

The council cut the grass under the trees where I park my car, but left this clump of campanula growing right where I open my driver’s door. So lovely to see this when I park.

The last time I’ve had to witness this as I move from the flat into my house. I’ve seen this quite a few times, and with the Co-op Funeral place on the front side of the flat, I had death all around me, ha ha. I won’t miss it!

I had to chuckle at this scene, but Halloween decorations for sale in June? Crazy.

14 June 2025

A mural of Stan Laurel in Bishop Auckland. He lived here through some of his childhood.

I visited this Saxon church, dated 670-700AD, one of only 3 in England. And was asked to join the service taking part inside. What a memorable Sunday.

Young wheat flowing and glowing in the field.

We passed this little stand on our walk this morning. Lovely little plants, but I can’t be buying plants yet, I have to wait a little longer.

11 June 2025

Nearly every time I go to the house, this little girl is sitting in my neighbour’s window. I’m hoping Tricksie Treat will sit in ours when we move in, so they see each other.

My cheese selection today from my favourite Knitsley Farm Shop.

Tricksie Treat looking at me and saying, “ I can’t believe you had the sheer audacity to move your leg and wake me up”.

A lovely 5 mile walk this morning in the Derwent valley area, with a couple of very light showers. Peeking through a gap in the hedgerow to the wheat field beyond.

Crazy heavy rain falling today. We needed it badly so no complaints. Thankfully I won’t be looking out on this concrete and brick view for many more days.

Spotted this chap on the way home, finishing off the ridge tiles on the roof. This is how roofs should look.

We walked through a fir woodland this morning, and I marveled at how ramrod straight these tree trunks were.

Red poppies are popping up all over the fields and along roadsides. 

1 June 2025

I walked with a new group on Saturday along the River Derwent at Allendale. We had a couple of showers, yet the walk was beautiful. Here, salmon and trout are being introduced to the river in these breeding pools.

The Knife Angel stands at 27 ft tall, weighs 3.5 tonnes, and was designed by artist, Alfie Bradley at the British Ironwork Centre using 100,000 knives and blades retrieved from amnesty bins from across all 43 UK police forces. It tours around the UK and was installed at nearby Aycliffe 3 days ago. It’s quite intimidating standing beneath it, it puts out a powerful message about knife crime and hopes to promote peace.

Walking through the forest this morning, this clearing lit by sunlight called me, but I stayed with the group. It was tempting to leave them though!

A rather civilized lunch today, corned beef and onion pie with peas, sweet potato fries and gravy. Tasty!

The centre of town from the Bishop Auckland Tower.

Walking through the fields, after a night of rain, at Langley Moor.

I parked behind this car, then laughed out loud.

We had a hefty climb up a lot of steps this morning on our walk in Consett, and was greeted by this fabulous steel commemorative stone at the top.

I’d never paid much attention to the Dean and Chapter pub in Ferryhill, named after the coal mine that used to be here, but I read the wording above the doors today,

On our walk around the Derwent valley this morning, the Column to Liberty could be seen as we walked over the viaduct. Interesting information on it:

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5646794

Colin the Caterpillar cakes with a cup of tea. I spent a small fortune in M&S.

An interesting building that I drove past in Durham this afternoon. Great bricklaying skills.

Some farm fields are now blooming with tansy, a cover crop, which the bees are loving. The lilac fields look gorgeous from the road.

This is how they refill the AC over here. Getting it done as the weather’s really warming up.

Tricksie Treat enjoying the sun coming through the window.

My yellow rose has exploded into fragrant blooms since I started feeding and watering it. I discovered a smaller pot with another rose, so will monitor that one too. The hebe by the front door has improved, and my sweet pea seeds have shot up. My weigela in the foreground acts as a partial fence. There’s a darker one further frown the garden,

 

We walked a 4 mile circular at Burnopfield this morning. On the higher elevations, there a still a few trees that are slow to show their leaves, but the hawthorn hedges and abundance of Queen Anne’s Lace are pretty.

We started at the bottom of Derwent valley this morning and climbed up to the top of Consett for this spectacular view. I’m loving these walks and meeting some fabulous people. Beginning to feel like I’m fitting in.

There’s a few of these sculptures by local artist, Graeme Hopper. This is in Ferryhill, and titled, ‘Light, Land and Sea’. I walked all around it and didn’t get it it, but he seems to be popular.

15 May 2025

My favourite hawthorn. It’s in full bloom everywhere at the moment, along roadsides and edges of fields. Hedges and free standing, there’s white fragrant blossom everywhere.

I did a double take when I spotted this hideous toilet in a showroom. I wish I’d asked if they’d actually sold any.

My kitchen. I have to place faith in my crew to install the new kitchen I have planned, but this desecration is hard to take in. Peter laughed, since he’s done about 80 of these.

I went to the doctors and the dentist today, and was amazed that Tony Blair officially opened both practices.