Northumberland, Northumbria, Alnwick, Holy Island, The Cheviots and All That Jazz

The Plot. September 2005

2006-10-16T11:48:00.000+01:00

We had been working hard all August, lots of visitors to our B&B, lots of fun. September is a month we always look forward to - not that we are any less busy but it has a different feel to the main block of summer. The light starts to be kinder, there is a more mellow feel to the air. You start to relax.
Perhaps because of this, I had forgotten about my strange postcard of August, so was totally unprepared when, in the second week of September, I picked up the post and found myself looking at another envelope addressed to me, posted from overseas.
I didn't open it immediately but went to find Michael. "It looks like another one." I was waving the envelope under his nose. "Another one what? Keep it still, I can't see a thing if you wave it around like that. What are you talking about?" He had obviously forgotten all about my first delivery.
"Another envelope posted from abroad, Bulgaria this time" Mike looked up. "How do you know it's the same sort of thing?"
I turned it over in my hand. "It has the same sort of feel, addressed to me personally at Firwood Country Bed and Breakfast. I suppose I should open it?"
"What a good idea!" Sarkie husband!
Inside was a little blue envelope with 'Beth' written on the front. Opening revealed a rather superior looking cat called Mackintosh, very handsome indeed.

The inside of the card had pasted in a cut out page from a small calendar with the month of August crossed out.
I just kept looking at it.
"Well? Is it the same? Pass it over. Mmmm, velly intelesting." In not a very good imitation of Peter Sellers. "Who do you think it is from?"
"I haven't a clue. I can't even think. Obviously someone who is travelling - from Germany to Bulgaria? And why the calendar? Why crossed out and a month behind?"
"I suppose it is because they have now left that country..... are they on their way to somewhere else? Do you recognise the writing?"
I looked at it. "Possibly.It seems to remind me of someone - but not who would, or could go out of the country."
I went to fetch the original envelope from August to compare the handwriting. It was possibly, maybe, could be, was.....not the same. I was stumped. I put both postings together and put them back in the drawer. The day's work beckoned.
I found though, that I couldn't quite forget about the cards and over the next week or so, my mind kept coming back to them and musing on their origin and meaning.

http://www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

Ladies Day Out

2006-08-20T15:58:00.000+01:00

"Good morning ladies, what a lovely sunny morning after all that rain. The fields are a bit on the wet side but think of all the lovely new grass, just ready to pop up. Now, shake yourselves off and follow me, something seems to have happened in the far corner.
Yes, there it is! Look, a section of the wall has slipped in the rain. Come on girls, I'm sure we can scramble over. Oh yes, go on Eunice, jump for it. Over you go, Edith, follow behind Enid. Right, lets take a little trot down the lane. Oh, what a pretty little garden, shame, the gate's closed. Never mind, let's see what's around the corner.
Ooh! This looks interesting! An entrance to a drive and no gates. A B&B you say Edith? Well, I haven't had much of a breakfast yet, so lets take a look. What a nice lawn and so many colourful munchies on the side. Who's that in the window, look, they are waving at us. How nice.
Shall we take a look at the front of the house? More people, sitting in the window. Don't be a flirt Enid, just because he has a camera. Yes, all right, he probably is American. Ah, fame at last. Shall we leave him a calling card - or two, or three, do you think?
Look lively, girls, I can hear a quad bike - yes, here it comes. Follow me! Sharp right now, down the steps, come on Eunice, past the rhododendron. Dog to the front! Hang a left, through the roses, oh poor dog, what a yelp. Watch out Edith, shepherd to your right!!"
"Oh, nice move Edith! Nicely sidestepped. He did land rather heavily didn't he. What did he say Edith? Well! There is really no need for language like that and on a Sunday. OK, re-group girls. Smart trot down the drive, back over the wall, heads down, we've never moved all morning.
What's that you say Eunice? You have it on good authority that there are two rams in the Hill Field? Change of plan ladies. To the hills! Every girl for herself, first there, first served!!"

http://www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

The Watcher

2006-08-08T16:30:00.000+01:00

I like my digital camera. I do try to remember to take it with me when I go for walks and to have it handy for taking photo's around the house if I see the Woodpecker, or the Red Squirrel. Anything I think of interest really. I am also an early riser.

I had taken Glen, my Border Collie and walking companion to a lovely spot called Goatscrag, rocks of the Fell Sandstone series which stretch from Berwick to Rothbury and afford wonderful views of the Cheviots, into Scotland and across to the coast. The walk also takes you round Ford Moss, an ancient peat bog. We didn't go until late afternoon but it was still very hot and I didn't take many pictures as there was quite a heat haze. So, the next morning, about 6.30am, I am standing in the kitchen, minding my own business and deciding I may as well delete what was on the camera.

Great excitement! The Red Squirrels were back! We had been putting in a new septic tank and had thought the work had scared them away, so I was over the moon to see two, chasing each other up and down the tree. I stood watching out of the window.

One of our guest bedrooms has two windows, one gets a glimpse of the squirrel feeder and the other opens onto the courtyard which the kitchen looks onto. This is the window which opened. A head and shoulders emerged. Followed by the rest of the body. Clothed. Just. Camera in hand, he peeked around the corner of the stone pier. Camera in hand I crept to the kitchen window, trying desperately to muffle my laughter.

The result is for all to see. I have to say that I do have the (very sporting) Gentleman's permission to publish these. I won't identify him as he has a certain position in life (we can see that!)but I would like to say publicly to him 'Thank you, you made my morning all the brighter! I would also like to thank his wife for not throwing out those underpants!!'

http://www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

The Plot

2006-08-01T19:18:00.000+01:00

It all started for me a year ago. August 2005. A very normal day in the B&B, breakfast was over and guests were out enjoying themselves. The post was delivered as normal and in it was an envelope, addressed to me and posted in Germany. My first thought was that someone was requesting information or were inviting us to take part in a German holiday guide.. However, when I opened the envelope, inside was a smaller envelope with just the word 'Beth' on the front. Opening this revealed a very pretty 'cat' card.
I expected some kind of communication, perhaps along the lines of 'can't be with you this year, holidaying in Germany' or a friend saying 'guess where I am?'. Instead there was a July 2005 calendar page with a Sea View from an original painted with the foot by H.C. Sang. The July days were crossed out in green felt tip.
You can imagine how puzzled I was. Then I had a brain wave. I was expecting a lady from Germany in a week or so's time, we had quite a lot of chat via e-mail. Perhaps this was her way of saying July has gone, I will be with you in August. It was also posted not far from where she lived. Puzzle solved.
The lady duly arrived, was full of fun and chat, so I dashed to get the card and thank her, remarking how novel a way it was of telling me to expect her. She looked at me as if I were mad, or at best, slightly deranged. (English eccentricity!). Not from her then. She looked more closely at the envelope and pronounced that a German living in Germany would not address an envelope in that manner, it was in a very English style.
This was now so intriguing that I put the whole thing in a draw as I had a feeling more was to be revealed.
Roll on September.....
http://www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

A June Quickie

2006-06-22T19:01:00.000+01:00

WEll, this is about the 4th time I have tried to do this and have managed to lose it every time. So, at the moment I am just going to put on some marvellous pictures taken in and around Firwood and the Wooler area, courtesy of Steve Gilbert. The ones of the Tern and the Puffin are from the Farne Isles. http://www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

Springing into May

2006-05-06T16:51:00.000+01:00

It's been a long time coming but it looks as though spring is finally here in Northumberland. The blossom is just starting to come out, in fact our ornamental cherry tree is only now starting to show it's beautiful double pink flowers. This time last year, all was finished. I'm not complaining though as visitors to the area from further south get two bites of the cherry (no pun intended) as their spring blossom is over and done with.
I am captivated by the lambs. We are surrounded by them in the fields and their antics cause much merriment. Why do they grow up to be such staid animals though?
I haven't had a lot of time to walk the hills with Glen but I have had a few lovely days, sun shining but with the remnants of winter clouds in the Cheviots. Glen, a Welsh Border Collie is now two and a half years old and I think his wires are just beginning to connect properly. He has a lovely temperament and is a wonderful house dog but boy, has he been hard work to train outside! I have been told that part of the problem is that he is from real working stock - the shepherds were quite keen to aquire him as a youngster and he has a brain. He therefore needs occupying and you need to be one step ahead of him all the time. I don't think I have ever had to work as hard with any of my other dogs but when he is on form, boy is he worth watching! He is very athletic and to see him jumping for his ring is to watch poetry in motion. As you can see though, he can play the idiot when he wants to. I did think about taking him to agility classes but there isn't a one near here and time is against us.

As I have mentioned, the seasons seem to be later this year - or possibly more in line. The birds are only now flying around like mad things having built their nests , feeding young. I have yet to see my first fledgling. I know that some of our gusts took a trip across to the Farne Isles last week and were quite surprised by how quiet it was. Migrating birds were still arriving and the Artic Terns hadn't yet built their nests, so they didn't need the head gear protection that is so useful on the Farnes! We have got Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey Pheasant at the moment in the garden, he has been here for a few years but this is a young wife that he has taken up with. She had a nest at the bottom of the rockery steps last week, with 14 beautiful eggs but after a couple of days, she just got up and left them Never went back. I don't know why, I know she wasn't in the slightest bothered by people (she nearly feeds out of your hand) and Smudge cat is not interested in her - too many rabbits. She didn't seem distressed, so perhaps she is a little immature and not yet ready for motherhood. Humphrey, bless him, now has to defend her all over again from incomers, he is looking rather ragged. I don't know if she will try another brood, at the moment there is no sign of it. Keep her for companionship Humphrey, never mind the father bit!!

http://www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

Frustrating February

2006-02-18T15:54:00.000Z

There is nothing worse than relying on a computer for business - and then having that computer play up! I have registry checked, scanned the disc, de-fragmented the disc, fixed errors on the disc..... and still it plays up. The latest was even more a source of stress, not being able to connect to my e-mails for over two days. My internet provider swears blind it wasn't them but I couldn't find any fault (this time) with my computer.
Anyway, I am back on line, still glitches with some of the program's but I seem to have spent most of my time in front of the computer screen and have not been able to get out and about very much, to my disgust!
You can tell we are looking to spring now. The snowdrops are up, the winter aconites are flowering and the woodpeckers are drumming out their messages across the fields. They seem to have favourite trees, probably ones with the hollowist branches for making the most noise. We counted 4 woodpeckers all calling to each other from different trees at the same time. It is quite a sound, sometimes hard to realise that it is a bird that is making the noise, it can sound quite mechanical.
The Barn Owl is also out hunting again by late afternoon. In fact yesterday, I had to stop the car as I was going down the road about 3.00pm. I thought the owl was caught in the lower branches of a tree but it seemed to be hopping from one branch to another. Not sure why, perhaps to escape the attentions of a flock of crows?? Whatever the reason, I got an absolutely wonderful view of it and yes, you've guessed it, no camera!
I did manage to get a couple of shots of some Vampire Cows, a very rare occurrence and not one that Smudge, our cat, was happy with. You can see why!
http://www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

Let it snow, let it snow...

2006-01-25T17:44:00.000Z

I know that this is a little on the late side but please forgive me. I had quite a few computer problems around and after the festive season, not least to do with the number of power cuts we had. Anyway, I did manage to take a few photographs of the snowy weather in between Christmas and the New Year. They were forecasting a hard winter but I have to say, we haven't really seen it yet. Perhaps I should keep quiet as there are still a few months to go. We could do with some more snow though, as it is the snow melt that tends to top up the underground water and hence our spring.
The Red Squirrels are still visiting the feeder although I have to say, not with any great urgency. Again, perhaps the weather is playing it's part, there may still be a good source of natural food around for them. I am thinking of putting up a nest box for them but am holding off as a) we have quite a lot of work to do on the trees in the garden and b) quite like the idea of an owl box. Don't know if the two will mix!
http://www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

November, Winds and Glorious Sunshine

2005-11-13T18:36:00.000Z

Is November always such a changeable month? We did say we needed the rain and rain we got, although still not as much as a lot of areas. Then we had sunshine, some more rain and then the winds came. Gusty, blowy, scattering the rain showers and leaving us with glorious sunshine and clear blue skies.
We still have quite a bit of Autumn colour left, the wind didn't manage to take all the leaves off the trees - the colours change every day and it is amazing how much fresh new green there is amongst the reds, gold's of the dying vegetation.
Everyone is forecasting a hard winter. Certainly the trees have been laden with berries, I have not seen so many on the hollies for a long time. I use the words 'have been' - again, they are not usually stripped of their fruits so early but the blackbirds seem to be eating for England!
Our Red Squirrel is now two. They seem to be foraging a lot, even coming onto the bird table, trying out the nuts, seeds and assorted bread. They are even pulling up the fat ball to have a sniff, not sure if they are actually eating it though. We also have a Jay visiting us on occasion, this is first time we have seen this bird here and were watching it bury acorns of it's own.
Other birds seen? Well, there has been reports of Red Kite in the Harthope Valley behind us, although I haven't seen them myself. The Tawny Owls are very much in evidence and very vocal in our own little patch of woodland here at Firwood. The Barn Owl is also out on the hunt and causes some consternation at night, gliding spookily across the roads! There is also a very confirmed sighting of a Hoopoe on the Northumberland coast, along Beadnell Bay I think. Caused much excitement as this bird has never been seen this far North before.
The seals are also causing much excitement off the Farne Isles, people going out on the boat trips have come back full of talk about the baby seals and there are lots more still being born. There are also flocks of birds coming in to overwinter on the Northumberland coast, a marvelous site at dusk. Who says nothing much happens at this time of year?
There are some picture of the squirrel on the bird table. I just wish I could get a little closer. I have also included a picture of Glen in his box - it has kept him occupied for quite some time before it finally disintigrated!

http://www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

Red Squirrel taking Liberties at Firwood

2005-10-15T15:50:00.000+01:00

Red Squirrel taking liberties at Firwood
Wel, as I said, perhaps not the best of photographs but in my defence, I had to take them through the breakfast room window. If I had tried to sneak out, or open the front door, I know he would have been off like a shot. I was told that the best way of photographing wildlife was from a car. Sit in the car, window down, camera sat on a cushion on the window frame. Most animals tend to ignore stationary cars - but how long would I have to sit there before the squirrel appeared? And seeing as how he tends to make his appearances in the morning, this could mean no breakfast for guests!
there are other photos on the site of the squirrel - I haven't worked out yet how to get them all in one frame - any help??
http://www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

Red Squirrel 1

It's All right, have just discovered for myself how to do the photos - feeling very pleased with myself, I have to say!

Red Squirrel

2005-10-12T12:53:00.000+01:00

Red Squirrel on the side lawn at Firwood

Hopefully, I will get a better picture than this - as usual, the batteries go on the camera at the critical moment. The squirrel did go on to entertain guest at breakfast, running around at the front of the house in front of the dining room window. It even climbed up the rose arch to where the nuts were hanging for the birds - and proceeded to have a taste. I didn't think red squirrels did this? Anyway, he, or she, more than earned a few peanuts that morning.
http://www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

2005-10-10T17:00:00.000+01:00

A better Humming Bird Hawk Moth Picture

2005-10-10T15:18:00.000+01:00

Humming Bird Hawk Moth 2

2005-10-10T15:16:00.000+01:00

Humming Bird Hawk Moth

A Humming Bird Hawk Moth

2005-10-10T15:06:00.000+01:00

Wonderful! I didn't think that you would get these beautiful creatures so far North but the pictures prove it. The Humming Bird Hawk Moth, a miniature replica of the Humming Bird, hovering above the flowers and sipping nectar the same way as the bird itself.
The pictures were taken at the end of September, beginning of October, the flowers in troughs in our little 'courtyard' at Firwood. I don't know where they will have come from, or if they will be able over winter here - especially as Country File on Sunday was forecasting a cold winter! Anyway, enjoy the pictures - I was very pleased with myself when I managed to lay my hands on the camera in time.

2005-05-18T13:41:00.000+01:00

Snoozing Pheasant at Firwood

2005-05-14T21:52:00.000+01:00

Evening sunshine www.firwoodhouse.co.uk

2005-05-14T17:03:00.000+01:00

Evening Sunshine, Happy Valley

2005-05-14T17:02:00.000+01:00

The Cheviots as seen from Happy Valley, Northumberland

2005-05-14T17:01:00.000+01:00

By the Carey Burn, Happy Valley

Happy Valley Again

2005-05-14T16:47:00.000+01:00

I know I have already been down Happy Valley but I did promise some pictures of the Bluebells - see photographs. I have also published some photographs of the hills around Happy valley. It was such a lovely evening and everyone in my Bed and Breakfast, www.firwoodhouse.co.uk were still out and about, that I couldn't resist the walk.
Glen and I set off but this time I did remember the camera. I know the Northumberland light is not the best at this time of evening for a 'point and click' like me but I still think we have managed to capture some of the feeling of peace and tranquility. Glen is getting better at sitting and staying sat while I click away - not easy for a young dog when the rabbits are bounding by him in droves! We were a lot longer than planned and really quite hungry by the time we got back to Firwood.
Michael had the fire lit in the resident's lounge, just to add a bit of coziness to the proceedings and we both stood in the lounge window and watched the birds at the feeder - Coal tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long tailed Tit. Nuthatch, Robins, Greenfinchs, to mention but a few. The pheasant (more on him later) was picking up the bits falling to the ground and all was right with the world.

2005-05-14T16:45:00.000+01:00

Not Such a Good Photograph of Blubells in the Evening Light!

2005-05-14T16:44:00.000+01:00

Bluebells in the Evening Light, Happy Valley, Wooler, Northumberland

2005-05-14T16:43:00.000+01:00

Wild Flowers by Carey Burn, Happy Valley, Wooler, Northumberland

Holy Island

2005-05-13T15:47:00.000+01:00

Holy Island, or Lindisfarne, is bocoming a very visited place at the moment. At our Bed and Breakfast near Wooler, www.firwoodhouse.co.uk nearly everyone who has stayed with us, has gone to see the island. You have to be aware of the tide times, A) so that you can get across safely and B) so that you can get back! Basic stuff you might think but it is amazing how many people don't take notice and either get stranded on the island until the next change of tide, or even worse, get stranded on the causeway and have to be rescued!
At Firwood, we are only just over a half hours drive from Holy Island and on a day like today, a very nice drive at that.