Our little sneak away...

Well, it's been a pretty busy start to the year so far, I can't complain, but sometimes...just sometimes...I need the odd bit of down time to recharge the batteries and refresh my brain so I can come up with oodles of new goodies for you, my wonderful customers.

Last weekend, we were lucky enough to be able to go and stay in a Mongolian Yurt at Wild Northumbrian, a beautiful little haven of tranquillity, way up on the moors just outside Kielder Forest in the Northumberland National Park.

The surrounding Northumberland moors, such a gorgeous setting!

Our incredibly cosy home for a few days was 'Brock Yurt' a 16ft traditional Mongolian tent, settled next to a babbling stream within a little woodland clearing in a meadow...bliss!

Brock Yurt

We arrived on a sunny Sunday March afternoon and were very keen to go exploring. It was our 4th visit, but we'd not seen the delightful 'Brock' before. After unloading our car and winding through the free range ducks and hens, we found our way over the meadow and settled in to our gorgeous little hideaway.

That afternoon we had a stroll up to Sidwood approx a mile away, up the track and into the very edge of Kielder forest. We found an unexplored track (for us) that climbed up over the crest of a hill, to a stunning view over to 'Black Middens' a Bastle house dating back to the bloody battles of the Border Rievers. The sun kindly decided to show up again, this was the view!!

Black Middens Bastle House.

After winding our way back down the track to our little haven, we decided to get a camp fire lit in the handmade fire pit, it was starting to get pretty chilly by now and we were getting hungry, so we were very grateful of all the logs and kindling left for us inside the Yurt, We soon got a good blaze going to cook our tea on.

As the light was fading fast, we lit up the candles inside too, doesn't it look so pretty! Once the log burner was going inside, it was really toasty too. No need for the lovely hot water bottles (provided).

So Cosy...I want to move in!!

During the night, we listened to owls, deer and the stream twinkling away to us which was extremely relaxing and comforting out in the wilds. We even had a decent sleep...which for me is a rarity!!

The next morning, I was hoping to be brave enough to test the outdoor Bush Shower, just along from the Yurt...but I'm afraid to say, it was just too chilly a morning for me...and it was raining, so we hopped up to the shower block instead for the luxury of underfloor heating and warmth, sorry Rob & Vic, I promised myself I would too, maybe next time ;) x

Our Aussie Bush shower, with special cupboard for your smalls.

Eco friendly compost loo (left) and bush shower (right)

The next morning we decided to go adventuring up to Kielder Water to explore the North side of the reservoir, so off we went in the car, picnic packed...forgetting the hot chocolate (my fault!!).

We chose a route from the 'Shepherd's Walks' taking in the lakeside, sculptures and a forest track and had a really lovely day, and quite a challenging walk, Despite hail and more rain, we headed back with smiling faces, we were well prepared with woolies, waterproofs, warm boots and lots of layers, just without a warm drink.

Secluded inlet at Kielder Water.

Love the texture and colours in this tree stump.

Beautiful Lichen

Nature taking over

Beautiful Kielder Forest.

Stone textures...these colours really shone, despite the rain.

Robin & Freya's Hut.

To reward ourselves for our efforts, we headed off to The Hollybush Inn, a 300 year old coaching inn, just a mile from our Yurt...I think we'd exhausted ourselves too much to campfire cook that night! Besides we felt we'd earnt a pint of local brew by that stage, and some hearty grub.


Heading back to our cosy yurt, we were looking forward to a snuggly night infront of the log burner again, and it lived up to expectations again, lighting with only 1 match!


We'd hoped to take some Dark Sky photographs while we were here but the clouds were against us this time, Guess we'll just have to come back for a 5th visit sometime...

Our beautiful real tree bed!! Feather pillows and duck down duvet too...BLISS!!

A gorgeous Spring welcome awaited us...we had some beautiful, colourful ducky eggs too, but had scoffed them by this point, sorry x

Our little kitchen area...better equipped than home!

The beautiful handmade door...with hatch.

I wish we could have stayed longer, but I'm sure we'll be back again. If you get the chance to visit...DO IT!!  You need to experience it at least once to know the real rural beauty of this fabulous place, and the gorgeously helpful and generous people who run it all. 

Until next time peeps,

TTFN xx