Autum at Talkin Tarn

Rob, Brock and I had a trip to Talkin Tarn, Cumbria on Sunday. The weather was sunny and it was very busy with dog walkers, rowing enthusiasts and people enjoying the view from the cafe on site.

A Short Visit to Keswick

We had a couple of hours in Keswick today: walking down to the lake and through the town; stopping off for lunch in Abraham's Cafe in George Fisher (jacket potatoes with salad and cheese with excellent Americano coffees, and now dog-friendly like the rest of the shop, so Brock was pleased); a quick browse in the Oxfam, where I bought some embroidery threads; and food shopping in Booths.

Here are some of the photos that I took on my mobile (I forgot my camera :o/). The light was very atmospheric, with low cloud, but bright sun.

Lots of wildfowl, as usual, attracted by the people feeding them.

A Misty Day

Brock was reluctant to go for his walk today: the road was half running water, mud and twigs and the weather was very misty and damp. Still, the exercise did us all good and the landscape has added mystery in the mist.

Birdoswald and Hoddom Estate Walks

Some images from our latest walks: at Birdoswald in Northumbria on Tuesday, and today on the Hoddom Estate, Dumfries & Galloway.

 Birdoswald Roman Fort

 Hadrian's Wall

Walk by River Annan

 Golf Course on the Hoddom Estate

Distant views of Hoddom Castle from the Golf Couse

More Autumn Colour - Eaglesfield and Latrigg, Keswick Walks

Here are some photos Rob took on our walk at Eaglesfield today.

And from the day before up Latrigg in the Lake District, near (and looking down over) Keswick. A cold day with some snow still on the mountain tops.

We were glad to get back to the car and off to Abraham's Cafe for lunch!

A Walk By Kielder Water, and A Sunset

We made the most of the fabulous weather today, with a walk at Kielder Water, starting from the Hawkhope car park, along the East shore of lake, by the dam. A Kielder trail guide is available here.

We had lunch at The Old School Tearoom at nearby Falstone. Rob had the all day vegetarian breakfast, while I ate a jacket potato with cheese and salad. We both had a cake and drink and the bill came to under £16. Very reasonable. The food was good and freshly made. Highly recommended.

I was just shutting the chickens in when I spotted this beautiful sunset and rushed out with my camera to get a few pictures, only to find our new neighbours doing the same thing. It really was quite dramatic, but hard to capture in a small image.

Wild Flowers in an Abandoned Graveyard

Rob, Brock and I often walk to the abandoned grave yard at Kirkconnel on the Sprinkell Estate, Eaglesfield. Apparently there was a medieval village with a church here at one time. There is now just a ruined mausoleum and lots of 18th century and newer grave stones.

There is an easy walk to it along by Kirtle Water, a small river with views of fields of sheep, lovely old trees and, at this time of year, wild flowers. We were also lucky enough to spot a swarm of bees!

Please click on any photo to see a larger version.

 The remains of the mausoleum in the background.

Lots of the grave stones have these rather morbid skulls/heads on them and other symbols of mortality.

The last photo is of Brock, taken back in May on the same walk.

A Walk In The Country - Etsy Treasury

'A Walk In The Country' by FireHorseTextiles

Some of the pleasures of walking in the countryside... flowers, trees, animals and insects

Tree Slice Business Card Hol... MadeWithClayAn... $40	Fabric Ceramic Ring - Butter... BlueTerracotta $16	Bohemian skinny headband tan... Mashacrochet $27
Whimsical Wellie Rain Boot i... sloeginfizz $35	Pansies of red and orange wi... SophieandMoe $30	Original Watercolor & Ink &q... circlesaregood $25
Good Vibrations Magnet Set -... GoFindAHappyPl... $8.5	Orange and Green Retro Snail... blockpartypres... $35	Tangatina - Art Doll Hannakin $50
Cottage Brooch - Lapel Pin /... ME2Designs $10	Fox Brooch Animal Brooch Han... NUTAK $15	Orange and Yellow Real Flowe... caughtREDhande... $26
Orange Cosmo 8x10 Fine Art P... laughlovephoto $25	owl zipper pouch, decorative... mamableudesign... $29	Vintage Flower Trim - Orange... theturniptruck $18.5
woodland pony - wooden anima... carnivalamigo $22

Treasury tool supported by the dog house