Everything works better if it's unplugged for a bit...

Well we're half way through June already...how did that happen??
It's been a little while since I blogged apart from being really busy with lots of new ideas (more on that in a bit) I've been away on holiday...I know...what a cheek eh? We had such a fab time I thought I'd tell you a bit about it.

June the 7th was our 10th Wedding anniversary so we treated ourselves to a lovely little break away in the heart of the Lake District National Park. The weather was perfect, topping 20 ish degrees on 3 of the days. That's really good for Northern England in June!!

We really love to get out into the hills whenever we can, so we chose this little haven as we could do many high, hilly walks right from the door...no need for the car practically all week..bliss!

Our first few days were spent exploring the fells and mountains around the cottage, making it up onto the tops to climb 'The Knott', and walk along 'High Street' (the highest Roman Road in England at 2,718ft (828m). The views were spectacular from the summits, we could see the sea!!

We wanted to try lots of new things as it was a significant holiday for us, sooo....we pony trekked the next day...Minstrel and Misty our horses were lovely...so chilled out and ploddy along the forest tracks and paths around the centre. So much so it took a LOT of encouragement to get them to trot, cantering was out of the question..they were far more interested in the cow parsley (now named horse parsley) and greenery all around to consider anything like hard work, but to be honest that suited us down to the ground. Two hours of slow clip clopping was just what was needed. Sadly no photos as I left my camera in the car :(

We took the Steamer from Glenridding accross Ullswater the next day up to the lovely little village of Pooley Bridge at the Northern end where we stopped for a bite before taking the Steamer back to Howtown where we walked about 7 miles back along the shore line to Glenridding. The walk was amazing! It was quite a challenge with horsey stiff legs but we made it, and rewarded ourselves with a fab pub tea before heading back to the cottage.

The next day we really needed to give our legs a bit of a rest as we had big plans for later in the week. We'd noticed that there was a boat hire place nearby, and amongst the motorboats and yachts they had Canadian flat bottomed canoes...yup you guessed it...we HAD to give these a try too. After a somewhat ziggy zaggy start, and a few 'beaching' incidents, we kind of got the hang of it, ish. We wouldn't win any prizes, but the novelty of serving a packed lunch to my hubby on an oar will stick with me for some time. Ice cream was an essential component of the day as it was a bit of a scorcher, our arms and faces nicely browned by the end of the day.

By now it was the eve of our last full day so we headed home for a good sleep before the BIG one the next day...climbing Helvellyn (950m, 3120ft). It might not seem a big thing to most people but it was for us. I've climbed a few mountains in my youth, but not for a VERY long time so neither of us were sure we'd make it all the way to the top but we DID! It was truly spectacular up there, and those views!!. We played safe and took the zig zag route up avoiding Swirrel and Striding edge, two very steep sided, scrambly ridges leading to the summit. It took us a total of around 6 hours in all, but we felt very proud of ourselves!

We found our little home for the week on a super website called 'Heart of the Lakes'. It was part of a converted farmhouse nestled amongst the hilly surrounds near Brother's water in the tiny hamlet of Hartsop. Beautiful isn't it? We could have moved in without changing a thing!

This week, since we got back, has been pretty admin full, I've attended an event,  written an article about my soap business and my use of natural materials in my products for a high profile craft website, placed large orders for supplies and re-designed labels, all in preparation of a new, even more luxurious range of pure, natural soaps which I've been working on (more next month). The next few months will see quite a few changes to my range, some things will go, but lots of new things will come in, I'm so excited to begin to share them with you very soon. 

If you've got this far, well done and thank you for sticking with me ;)

Last but not least, this Sunday June 21st is Father's Day, so as not to let it pass by unnoticed, I'm offering a 15% discount in my online shops and website, Simply enter DAD15 at checkout to claim your discount. Offer is running in my Folksy and Etsy shops too. Happy Shopping :)

Until next time peeps
TTFN

Ceri xx

A wee little sneak away...

      It feels like such a long time since my last blog posting, I thought I'd better let you know what I've been up to at Oakwood Towers. Apart from being reeeealy busy making and wrapping like there was no tomorrow, we've squeezed in a week's holiday and what a lovely week away in Scotland we've had :O)

The Clockhouse - Nr Earlston

The rain rained, the sun shone, the wind blew...and the midges bit!! but all was well as we were staying in a little bolthole in the woods near Earlston - just south of Lauder in the Borders. Our lovely cottage was just perfect and nicely tucked away under a lush canopy of trees full of birds and squirrels and right next to the river Leader - running just behind us. We were in the grounds of an estate with a verrrry nice main house, equestrian centre and a couple of other cottages...it felt really special to come down the sweeping drive past the lovely Palomino's every evening and pull up by the huge garage doors.

The view of the big house from  the Leader Path - V posh!!

There were some fantastic walks going straight from the front door, one of our favourites (apart from the 2 mile round trip through the woods to the local pub and chippy...) was the walk up 'Black Hill' which we could see from out living room window :O)

'Black Hill'

It was quite a hard trek up as it was a lot steeper than it looks. We noticed on the way up that the sheep and lambs were all a sort of salmon pink colour...weird, we thought...until we found a patch of bare land and saw that the soil was a really rich ochre red colour, probably due to mineral deposits...even the lovely Palomino horses were the same colour from rolling around in it...I named one little troublesome chap 'Pinky' whose rosey hue let one into a false sense of security...

Orchids on top of Black Hill

Once we made it to the top, the veiws were amazing, full 360 degrees. Right at the top we found some beautiful orchids and wild thyme...we sat for quite a while listening to syklarks and watching buzzards and a red kite hunting and soaring. We cloud watched for a bit until we got too cold - the wind was ferocious up there but it was well worth the climb. We could almost pick out our wee cottage amidst the trees...can you spot it?

Westerly view from Black Hill

 
   Once we came back down via the 'Earlston Path' we still had some oomph in our legs so decided to take a stroll along the 'Leader Path' which winds it's way behind our cottage for a few kilometers, a much more gentle stroll to wind down we thought...The path took us past a magnificent viewpoint of the big house - see above, and also of Black Hill. We had a little rest on this lovely handcarved badger bench to take in the scenery.

Who's looking at you kid??

 

 

 

 

 

     The path wound around through meadows, little open spaces and river pools - so tempting for a dip...but WAY too cold...After what seemed like ages we came out of the woods and onto an old stone bridge with a magnificent view of the old viaduct spanning the river Tweed (I think...)

 
We stopped here for a bit and ate some slightly squashed cupcakes - incase you're wondering...oreo cookie and bannoffee...yumm - in separate cupcakes of course...silly. We were pretty frazzled by this stage and needed the sugar rush to help us home you understand :oD. It was gloriously warm and sunny here and the swallows were out in full force picking off the little biteys as they swooped and dived around us.


     We did eventually make it back but by this time must have walked about 15 miles...well it felt like it...my legs are still recovering.

      The next day we wanted something a bit more gentle ( as the thighs were still burning) so went up the road to Thirslane Castle , a magnificent 13th Century pile where there happened to be a vintage car rally. I'm not usually excited by cars, but there was such a vast variety of fantastic vintage  beauties on show, I may be converted. My favourite was this fabulous old Morgan ...with picnic basket ready packed...and secret stow-away on board. I could see hubby and I donning sunglasses and a silk scarf around the hair (I don't think he'd go for the scarf idea, but was quite keen on the picnic) and vrooming around the countryside in this little beaut.
 

D'you think they'll find me???

    After much oggling and exploring we returned home exhausted and ready for tea...this is where we decided cooking was far too much of a bother so strolled along to the village pub for a swift 'arf of ale and a steaming bag of fish supper for two, picking up a bottle of something boozy on the way home we just made it indoors before we collaped, needless to say even the 4 o'clock dawn chorus didn't wake us up...
    While we were in the vicinity we thougt we'd also pay a visit to Floors Castle near Peebles. The oldest privately inhabited castle in the borders. It had some magnificent gardens and grounds which we spent most of the day exploring. We also had a good root around the castle itself, stunning.

Queen Victoria's 'House' built in the gardens especially for one of her visits.

 

Bread roll baked in a flower pot...must try this at home.

  For lunch we stopping in at their Walled Garden Cafe - just as it says on the tin - was in the walled garden, where we had the most spectacular ploughmans lunch...I wish I'd taken a pic but was too hungry. Needless to say ther was soo much delicious local cheese we could not eat it all...shhhh don't tell anyone...we stashed it in my bag and snaffled it later with some oatcakes and a cup of tea :O)




      All in all we had a lovely, relaxing and much needed break away - even celebrating our 6 yr wedding anniversary :O) during our stay. We will be going back sometime soon as there was so much to explore we hardly scratched ther surface, the country side was glorious and the cottage perfect for us... absolutely lovely.

Jaunty angle + mangle

Spying on the hubby :o)

Little den the family before us built behind the cottage.

      My mum was cat sitting for us while we were away - THANK YOU MUM (hope you enjoyed the goodies we brought back xx) and did a sterling job...unfortunately someone...who will remain nameless had the most huge huff on when we got back...just look at that face...and proceeded to sulk for about - well 10 minutes, then meow at me for the next two days...I guess I'm in the bad books now...

How could you leave me???

I just can't look at you  ... >^-^<

 

 

We found our little cottage through 'Unique Cottages' who we have used before, I'd highly recommend them for a scottish break, they specialise in individual (or unique;op) special places to stay for a very reasonable rate throughout Scotland, check em out below if you are interested.

 Unique Cottages - Scotland

Anyway must be off, I'm all unpacked from hols, packed up for my next fair on Saturday and there is weeding to be done, so I'll be off...TTFN xx