Thursday, October 20, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Foxhole Rigg, Cautley, Sedbergh, 15 October
Foxhole Rigg, Cautley, near Sedbergh, Cumbria
October 16
Although the address is in Cumbria, Foxhole Rigg is actually on the Yorkshire Dales. Cautley Spout is across the valley and is the highest (tallest?) waterfall in the UK. The drive up to the house is unbelievably steep. Last winter for four weeks they had to leave the cars at the bottom of the drive and struggle up, on foot, through the snow. Very pretty I am sure, but the practical aspects not so good.
The heather has gone brown in autumn so the hills are very colourful in the late afternoon light.
The farmhouse is very old but renovated and very comfortable. The barn has been turned into self contained accommodation. The surrounding land is leased and black faced rough fell sheep surround the house. Six very fat and healthy looking chooks roam the yard during the day, but at night Owen locks them away, to protect them from the foxes. I am told there are badgers, foxes, hares and deer to be seen but I missed them.
Meg the dog was my faithful companion, my shadow every waking moment and each morning she cuddled up beside me in bed, while I had my morning cuppa. Milly, the cat, is I am sure a distant cousin of Coco's. They look so much alike and share the same bossy and inquisitive, mischievous and daring nature.
My stay was timed to fit in with Jennie's working week. She is a counsellor/psychotherapist in Preston, Lancashire, Monday to Wednesday. I met Jennie on the Isle of Man, 40 years ago, when we both worked on Colonie de Vacance, children's holidays. She was assistant director and I was matron. We both lived in London and became close friends. It was her parents who had the house in France. I was at her wedding to Owen, whom she met through Colony Holidays. It was on cup final day. I had to travel down to London from Leeds and there was a tube strike, which made it every tricky to get to the wedding. Looking at the old photos I can't believe I was so skinny and so much hair!
Both were teachers but now Owen works from home writing, training manuals for companies and universities. He is Welsh so we watched the semi finals of the RWC.
Owen does most of the cooking on the big aga stove. He uses Julia Child's book, Mastering The Art of French Cooking. I used to have a copy but disposed of it along the way. So it is time I got another copy. We had some delicious and very hearty meals. On Sunday, as tradition dictates, we had a big fry up for lunch. Mushrooms, tomatoes, bacon and eggs, fried bread and steaming mugs of tea.
There three children have recently produced four grandchildren within 20 months. Rhys and his two live in mid Wales. But the girls have migrated to Australia, Bethan to Sydney and Anna to Perth. Which means that one day soon Jennie and Owen may finally make it to New Zealand. Jennie and I went to Lancaster to buy her a ukulele. She is busy practising so she can play and sing for the grandchildren on Skype.
October 16
Although the address is in Cumbria, Foxhole Rigg is actually on the Yorkshire Dales. Cautley Spout is across the valley and is the highest (tallest?) waterfall in the UK. The drive up to the house is unbelievably steep. Last winter for four weeks they had to leave the cars at the bottom of the drive and struggle up, on foot, through the snow. Very pretty I am sure, but the practical aspects not so good.
The heather has gone brown in autumn so the hills are very colourful in the late afternoon light.
The farmhouse is very old but renovated and very comfortable. The barn has been turned into self contained accommodation. The surrounding land is leased and black faced rough fell sheep surround the house. Six very fat and healthy looking chooks roam the yard during the day, but at night Owen locks them away, to protect them from the foxes. I am told there are badgers, foxes, hares and deer to be seen but I missed them.
Meg the dog was my faithful companion, my shadow every waking moment and each morning she cuddled up beside me in bed, while I had my morning cuppa. Milly, the cat, is I am sure a distant cousin of Coco's. They look so much alike and share the same bossy and inquisitive, mischievous and daring nature.
My stay was timed to fit in with Jennie's working week. She is a counsellor/psychotherapist in Preston, Lancashire, Monday to Wednesday. I met Jennie on the Isle of Man, 40 years ago, when we both worked on Colonie de Vacance, children's holidays. She was assistant director and I was matron. We both lived in London and became close friends. It was her parents who had the house in France. I was at her wedding to Owen, whom she met through Colony Holidays. It was on cup final day. I had to travel down to London from Leeds and there was a tube strike, which made it every tricky to get to the wedding. Looking at the old photos I can't believe I was so skinny and so much hair!
Both were teachers but now Owen works from home writing, training manuals for companies and universities. He is Welsh so we watched the semi finals of the RWC.
Owen does most of the cooking on the big aga stove. He uses Julia Child's book, Mastering The Art of French Cooking. I used to have a copy but disposed of it along the way. So it is time I got another copy. We had some delicious and very hearty meals. On Sunday, as tradition dictates, we had a big fry up for lunch. Mushrooms, tomatoes, bacon and eggs, fried bread and steaming mugs of tea.
There three children have recently produced four grandchildren within 20 months. Rhys and his two live in mid Wales. But the girls have migrated to Australia, Bethan to Sydney and Anna to Perth. Which means that one day soon Jennie and Owen may finally make it to New Zealand. Jennie and I went to Lancaster to buy her a ukulele. She is busy practising so she can play and sing for the grandchildren on Skype.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
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