Back from the wet and windy North, to sun and blue skies in Ditchling. I have all the windows open and have had no heating on since I came back. The train travel was quite eventful as there was a tree blown on the line on the way there and signalling failure plus one or two other things difficult to decipher in Northern accents, and `work on the track on the way back which meant a double decker bus, hurtling through country lanes for miles in complete darkness for an hour. We filled in forms and hope for a rebate on our tickets, which we would then have to use for another hazardous rail trip However every one is so kind and helpful to old trouts like me, helping me on and off, carrying cases up steps. and a young chap even offered a clue for the Guardian cryptic crossword when I was stuck.
We saw lots of Arts and Crafts in Lakeland including sheep made in every sort of medium.This was in an old Mill which had employed children as` young as three working from 6am till 7pm` I can`t imagine what work they could have done at that age, poor little things. The Mill is now a thriving art gallery and cafe with tasty food. We also went to Morcambe Bay, and the treacherous sands, and also to Leighton Moss an RSPB place and sat silently in a hide watching three mallards and two swans, but we also say Chris Packham (from Autumn Watch on the telly).
BW is away with daughter J on a walking holiday on the Kent Way,staying at dog friendly B and B`s. I am collecting him tomorrow. It is very quiet here without him, but I am enjoying the lie ins for a change. Friend C who accompanied me to the Lakes is planning to knit him a yellow jersey like his namesake wears. We went in to cluttered woolshops which still exist in Kendal looking for patterns. They sell masses of patterns for dog`s jumpers!
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