We usually go away for a few days in February before both businesses get really busy. Because we have Maisie puppy we decided not to go away but have a relaxing week at home, catching up with friends and family and getting organised.
On Monday we headed south to one of our favourite places, Northumbria, especially Alnwick and Alnmouth. A 2 hour drive to Amble, just south of Alnwick on the coast, lovely wee place. We had a wander along the harbour across the causeway and ack to a snug wee cafe for lunch. The 1911 Coffee co on the high street has great food, cakes and lovely helpful staff.
A walk on Bamburgh beach before heading home. The seas were wild with impressive waves and the castle on Lindesfarne looking like it was overwhelmed by them in the distance. Impressive Bamburgh castle sitting above the beach and a rain shower heading inland.
Finding creative ways to display plants is always fun, especially using bits n bobs I have lying around. A few vintage terracotta pots and an old wooden wine box, a couple of sticks, some moss and some snow drops. A creative way to spend a rainy half hour. Dolly tub for our watering can feature can occasionally sourced from Junkshopantiques just across the car park.
Power on power off power on power off such was Wednesday and Thursday. The predicted awful storms didn't really affect us and we got off lightly but the power was still tempramental! I painted one of my favourite views on the SUW behind the cottage. I've added my reference photo for comparison. This view is lovely no matter the weather or seasons. I took this photo at the beginning of January this year
On Thursday evening we finally got to Osso in Peebles for dinner. Food was amazing with great friendly staff and lovely atmosphere. We will definitely be back.
We had a lovely afternoon catching up with our friends Andrew and Linda on Friday when they came over for lunch. Maise got lots more socialising with their Dandy Dinmonts and spent the evening asleep in front of the fire. Photo was her this morning after a walk in the snow which she wasn't happy about.
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| Simply...... a poppy |
A day in which Maisie took on Peebles and Peebles loved her! We had some errands to do and took Maisie for her first town walk, we lost count of the number of people that ooohed and ahhhd and stopped to talk to her! A walk along the river next to the cottage, cheese scones, a treat for hubby and a toastie fire to warm up in front of that's what weekends are made of.
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| My three cheese scones |
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| Abstract Industrial seascape |
On Monday we headed south to one of our favourite places, Northumbria, especially Alnwick and Alnmouth. A 2 hour drive to Amble, just south of Alnwick on the coast, lovely wee place. We had a wander along the harbour across the causeway and ack to a snug wee cafe for lunch. The 1911 Coffee co on the high street has great food, cakes and lovely helpful staff.
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| Amble on the Northumbrian coast |
Monday late afternoon and a walk on Alnmouth beach. Northumbria is spoilt for great beaches, but this is my favourite along with Bamburgh. The light was beautiful and I am pleased with the photos I got. Maisie had a great time though wasn't sure about the waves coming in. So many more people and dogs to meet and talk to. Seaweed was fascinating until she worked out it tasted salty! A lovely walk to finish off the day before heading to our hotel. We stayed in The Oaks Hotel in Alnwick. The room, food and staff were all great and we had a lovely relaxing evening and stay there.
Tuesday and a morning at Barter Books, best book shop in the world, and yes I did buy books to add to the book mountain I already have to read. We have visited this place so many times and it never disappoints. Dog friendly which is always a great bonus, Bracken spent many hours here too. Their cafe is situated in the old station waiting room, where we indulged in cake and coffee before heading off.
A walk on Bamburgh beach before heading home. The seas were wild with impressive waves and the castle on Lindesfarne looking like it was overwhelmed by them in the distance. Impressive Bamburgh castle sitting above the beach and a rain shower heading inland.
We enjoyed our two days away, exactly what we needed in one of our favourite places. Now ready to face the next 8 months of the busy season for both our businesses.
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These plants are in a small section of the Long Stock bed border. A planting of purples, acid greens and orange.
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Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve', Helleborus argutifolius, Euphorbia characias subsp Wulfenii, box balls and three varieties of orange and yellow tulips - Tulip 'Bellona', Tulip 'Princess irene' and Tulip 'Yellow Empress'.
Sadly most of the tulips have become vole food but the other plants have done really well and provide colour and interest all year round and especially in winter.
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| Helleborus argutifolius |
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| Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve' |
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| Simply ....... knapweed |
Power on power off power on power off such was Wednesday and Thursday. The predicted awful storms didn't really affect us and we got off lightly but the power was still tempramental! I painted one of my favourite views on the SUW behind the cottage. I've added my reference photo for comparison. This view is lovely no matter the weather or seasons. I took this photo at the beginning of January this year
On Thursday evening we finally got to Osso in Peebles for dinner. Food was amazing with great friendly staff and lovely atmosphere. We will definitely be back.
We had a lovely afternoon catching up with our friends Andrew and Linda on Friday when they came over for lunch. Maise got lots more socialising with their Dandy Dinmonts and spent the evening asleep in front of the fire. Photo was her this morning after a walk in the snow which she wasn't happy about.
I got my wee creation I made last week at Lovatt Gallery back in the post. The leaves and birdies have been pattanated, turning them green, I am so pleased with it and amazed I made this my self.
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Awww Maisie, I totally understand everyone oohing and aahing! Would do the same with a few kisses added on top. And with Dandy Dinmonts too, that must have been a lovely sight!
ReplyDeleteYour watercolours are lovely, as are your beach photos and the metal artwork - loving it!
I too love the Northumbrian coast, Amble and Lindisfarne have fond memories attached.
Guess what - after a very very long winter there are the first snowdrop buds to be seen in my garden! So thrilled, and comforted too, in this devastating time. Must also try the Helleborus argutifolius a second time, it is just very hard to find at Finnish nurseries. The first one I had started new growth and flower buds in a mild January, which is lethal here - after that the proper winter came with weeks of heavy frost and that was the end of that plant.
Have a good new season!
Saila, thank you for all your lovely comments and compliments and it was lovely to get a coupe of days away in one of our favourite places. Our snow drops are just coming our in the nursery but elsewhere they are almost over. It is cheering to see them and the hellebores starting to flower, and buds on the daffodils. In such a troubling, devastating and worrying time world wide it is a small hope and reasurance that nature keeps going. This is the first time I've had such great success with H. argutifolius, but we have had a drier and warmer winter this year which might have helped. Have you tried growing them from seed? We had a busy first weekend open at the nursery, long may it continue!
DeleteThank you for the idea, will try H. argutifolius from seed!
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