Amazing Find!

On a trip into Whitby a couple of weeks ago we went into the Sutcliffe Gallery - a place I remember visiting as a child. I love Frank Meadow Sutcliffe's photographs and happened to be looking through the 2020 calendar when I came across this image - the farm building in the foreground is now our home! 

I've subsequently discovered more photos of Lealholmside (and am on the hunt for more) so the problem of what to display on the walls of our B&B is solved 😀

Green Fingers

Earlier in the year I planted some veg seeds, initially in pots then the seedlings went out into a raised bed area we have at the back of the house.  I wasn't sure how much sun they'd get or how safe they'd be from the rabbits so my expectations were low.  Old seeds planted late in an untended area didn't inspire confidence but with a little effort and lots of luck it seems to have paid off  - I now have tomatoes, beans, courgettes, brussel sprouts and chard all growing well (the carrots don't seem quite as happy....)  There are roses at the front of the house that aren't doing too badly either, although I can take no credit for those!

  

 

Conifers Out

I don't like conifers, it's no secret, I never have done.  Unfortunately there are quite a few in our garden so they've got to go, but it'll be a long-term project because I have neither the time nor the resources to fill the gaping areas they'll leave straight away.

However, you have to start somewhere so the first came down this weekend!  My brother-in-law very kindly came over from York with his chainsaw and removed it; I can't wait for the others to go 😀

Loving my new job

The company I now work for, Baytown Coffee, is actively engaged in the community, particularly when it comes to issues of social responsibility and we're all encouraged to get involved.

This evening we supported a beach clean at Scarborough, hosting the event with Kiko Matthews - an amazing lady who is cycling 7200km of the coast, stopping each day to help with a beach clean the community has been asked to arrange.

Photo copyright Kik Plastic

Photo copyright Kik Plastic

More Cleveland Way

We had relatives to stay this weekend so explored a little bit more of the Cleveland Way in glorious sunshine. We caught the bus from Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay, had a wander, then set off back along the coast path that is the Cleveland Way.

This photo taken by Debbie Kent 

This photo taken by Debbie Kent

                                   

It was a longer walk than I'd anticipated - oops! - but enjoyable nonetheless.

Another New Job!

I start a new job today - Accounts Administrator at The Baytown Coffee Company Ltd.  It's much closer to home and the company is much more 'me'!

 

Cleveland Way

The weather has improved today so we decided to go out on a 'proper' walk.  There are so many trails we haven't explored yet and the Cleveland Way is one of them.  Fortunately for us, it's easy to walk short(-ish) sections of it; this afternoon we completed Kettleness to Sandsend, and back.

British Summer Time

Not quite the weather we'd like at this time of year!

Remembering Dad

We were unexpectedly free this weekend so we decided to take a trip up to Morpeth and visit Dad in his final resting place - Mitford Castle, his childhood playground.

We had a good drive up and arrived just in time for lunch at The Plough

Before going to the castle we went to the church where my grandad (I never knew him) was vicar - my Dad was born and grew up in the vicarage of St Mary Magdalene church.  Unfortunately the church was locked but we wandered around the churchyard, visiting the graves of my Granny & Grandad (pictured) and of my Aunty Jennifer (Dad's older sister) and Uncle John.

Then we crossed the road over to the castle.  The sun was shining, as it seems to every time we visit......... so we spent time just sitting at the spot we'd scattered Dad, communing with him and nature.  It was a very peaceful and spiritual experience, and one we should seek more often!

 

Quality Mummy/Son Time

Ian's mum travelled up to see us this weekend - her first visit since we've lived here.  She was a long way from home so we wanted to make the days she spent with us special so that she'd be eager to return!

On Thursday afternoon she arrived at York station where Ian met up with her. I'd taken the afternoon off work and met them at my Mum's in Haxby (just north of York city centre).  We ventured out into the town for a late lunch, spoilt for choices there are so many cafes and coffee shops to choose from - on this occasion we went into Tealicious and weren't disappointed!


We ventured out over the weekend to show Stella some of our favourite places.
On Saturday we took a stroll around the Lavender Gardens at Terrington then had lunch at Hutton-le-Hole  

 

finishing the day off with supper at the Board Inn in Lealholm which, as always, served up great fare.

On Sunday we headed out to Saltburn-by-the-Sea.  The weather wasn't so great but we still had fun!

 

Herb Heaven

A lovely morning beckoned so with plenty of other things to do we decided on not doing them and took a stroll down into Lealholm instead, not something we do as often as you might think (unless we're heading for the pub with visitors)!

We have a fabulous garden nursery in the village (I think I've mentioned it before - Poets Cottage) and to add to my collection of garden plants I wanted some herbs - inspired by the herb garden my sister has just outside her back door.

I picked up thyme, oregano, coriander, tarragon, sage and comfrey, and added parsley a couple of days later.  We needed sustenance to get us back up the hill with our bag of aromatic loveliness so stopped off at the pub for a swift pint (half in my case) before continuing on our journey.

I planted the herbs as soon as I got home and am very pleased with the result 😊

 

Home away from home

We've had a busy month!

Now that the plumbing work has been successfully finished Ian has been decorating the upstairs bedrooms in preparation for B&B.  The large main room is done and looking good (photos only when it's all completely ready 😏) and partway through the month we had some 'guinea pig' guests.  All went well - they provided some constructive feedback, and we're on it!

I've spent the last few days at my sister's home house/dog-sitting whilst she's away sunning herself in Majorca with hubbie and kids (Ian stayed at Old Bears Barn because our ageing pussy cat hasn't been very well and we didn't want to leave him home alone 😞).

One of the things I've most enjoyed is being able to spend time with Mum as she lives just down the road!

At the weekend we went to a plant fair at Scampston Hall (nr Malton) and had a lovely day before the weather broke and it started raining.  I bought lots of plants as our garden at Old Bears Barn is a work in progress:  it's well-established but has lots of shrubs and conifers which I'm not fond of, I want a wilder cottage garden!

Variations in the Weather

I'm glad we made the most of the weather yesterday because it's not so good today!