Winter
Well it has been some time since we last wrote ! It has been a very quiet summer for the holiday cottages, but hopefully things are changing. As I write the snow is falling and it is -1 degree. The Middle Keld Kids went off to school looking forward to play time, although they are not allowed to have snowball fights. I must admit it made me reminisce of my school days when our play times revolved around snowball fights, with two rival gangs fighting it out until we were absoloutely soaked through and not be able to feel our fingers. You could only make a really good snowball without gloves. Any way enough of all that or it will be turning out to be when "I was a lad" stories !!

posted 02-12-2008 at 10:52:44

End of an era....for the time being
That's it folks, yours truly has finally completed her degree. Just when I thought it was never going to end, and the Middle Keld Kids would never to speak to me again, there it was - finished! Graduation was on Monday, and it was not only a gloriously sunny day but a truly wonderful experience. Now? Well, trying to rediscover normal life - and wondering if there is such a thing! Life here has continued throughout the intensity of study, with perhaps the most amazing event being the temporary arrival of a bittern, much to the interest of local bird watchers and the total disinterest of George and Billy, who continued to munch grass as though nothing had happened. The whole site is lush with the green mantle of summer, assisted by some tremendous downpours interspersed with hot summer days. The kids have been busy helping Fish and I with planting, and as a result we have some colourful tubs and pots around the place, and the promise of tomatoes and courgettes at harvest time. All we have to do now is try and keep the slugs at bay...

posted 16-07-2008 at 15:20:44

Just to let you know...
I've seen the very first swallow of the spring here at Middle Keld. There it was, a lone bird sitting contemplatively on the telegraph wire as the Middle Keld Kids and I were dashing off to school (late as usual) this morning.
Am in the midst of the final furlong of assignments, so Shakespeare demands more of my attention than the blog page I'm afraid, but couldn't resist breaking off for a few moments to share this snippet. Now waiting for the first cuckoo, will be sure to let you know that one too!

posted 21-04-2008 at 18:29:50

British Seasons
March seems to have blasted in like a fury, and we have spotted a few mad march hares, haring around as you might expect. The changes in weather are really quite startling, having had a glorious day of sunshine yesterday, today is wet and extremely windy with the trees lashing about around the pond and the wind howling through every crack and crevice it can find. The daffodils are a delight to see, but in spite of all the comments about the changing seasons it is interesting to note that the trees are only just showing signs of greening up, and even the hawthorn is very reluctantly putting out new leaves. All will come in its own good time, I know, but I have to admit to taking some comfort in this tiny bit of evidence that maybe the seasons remain, to some degree, as we have always known them to be. Again, as last spring, we have a pair of mallards on the pond. Will this be the year they decide to raise a brood at Middle Keld?? I'll keep you posted!

posted 10-03-2008 at 11:46:43

Spring, a time for fun, flowers and fabulous events...
Having experienced the seriously sub-zero temperatures of recent weeks (remember the movie 'Day After Tomorrow....?) we are again enjoying sunshine. Is the climate really changing? Well, at least we are learning to appreciate the good bits and survive the not so good. The Middle Keld Kids enjoyed their recent half term break, and the weather was kind enough to allow us to have fun on the beach with a rugby ball (we have a budding Johnny Wilkinson), play games with coloured rocks and use the kelly kettle for the first time this year. The kids are getting excited about their discoveries, and are constantly finding new leaves and daffodils, catkins and celandines. The woodland walk is preparing itself for spring, and is just right for a little gentle exercise - something we can all appreciate, especially when the sun is shining, the birds are busy and the blossom is scenting the breeze. We are looking forward to everything being at its best as we have guests coming to celebrate their wedding here around Easter time. We are excited to be part of this occasion and hope it will be a wonderful experience for all concerned.

posted 26-02-2008 at 13:32:11

Paradoxes
Couldn't resist sharing this. As the sun refuses to shine and the rain continues to pour, our current guest in the Cottage in the Pond is enjoying the feeling of being protected from the ill effects of the weather while being cosily ensconced and watching the rain through the window. And in spite of spring feeling like its in 'a galaxy far, far away' - guess what? Saw our first batch of snowdrops at the weekend! Spring will come....all in its own good time. Come and share it with us - the weather might be inclement (!!) but here at least you can always find a warm welcome.

posted 21-01-2008 at 16:00:21

Where did it go?
Christmas has been hectic here at Middle Keld, but a lot of fun! We have had a plethora of visitors, old and young, two legs and four legs but the best news is that my oven remained in good working order throughout! Big improvement on last year.... Heavy frosts produced some spectacular scenery, particularly around the pond areas and a light dusting of snowflakes caused great excitement. The disappointment on the faces of the Middle Keld Kids must have been reflected on other kids in the neighbourhood too, as the rain swiftly followed snow and we were back to grey, wet days again. It was good to welcome old friends in the shape of Mr and Mrs Biggins who came to spend their third Christmas in Cottage in the Pond, and to see the Cornmill Cottage celebrate its first Christmas since completion with a family of five enjoying its cosy warmth. The kids are now back at school and we are zooming into another new year. Yours truly has the added stress of coursework deadlines to aim for, but the first green shoots of snowdrops can be seen, the hope-filled promise of spring!

posted 11-01-2008 at 16:28:16

Looking forward to spring ...

posted 08-11-2007 at 14:57:30

The year moves on to....
November, and still very little change in the weather, making it difficult to believe that Christmas is really not very far off. The sun continues to shine, and it is only in the past few days that the temperature has been falling into the single figures. The colours of autumn continue to be a joy to the eye, and the most recent delight (discovered, I have to say, by Poppy) is the presence of water voles, or 'arvicola terrestris'. Poppy has unearthed two of them that I have seen and the description has been verified that they are, in fact, the more desirable members of the rodent family and not the type that gives me the heebie-jeebies! Had a fun Bonfire Night, with a fabulous bonfire (constructed last-minute in order to preserve wildlife from a roasting) and a selection of fireworks, although sparklers will always be a firm favourite. This was accompanied by a delicious barbecue supper (sausages and burgers supplied by Fitling Farm) and excellent company. Good food, good friends, good fun - it can't be beaten and it can all be found here, at Middle Keld. Join us.

posted 06-11-2007 at 15:26:26

Love the change of seasons!
Oh dear, I've just looked at the date of my last blog! What can I say? Actually, being a past master of excuses I could give you a whole list of reasons why I've not been in touch, but they would just be excuses so I sha'n't bother. It has been a busy time here at Middle Keld, with a long stretch of Conference Room bookings. Hospitality is always a key element here, so the house has been redolent with the smell of baking, as we always like to offer freshly baked scones and biscuits to our delegates. I am thinking of having flour and sugar shipped in by lorry, but maybe not yet.... Autumn is in full swing finally, with treasures to be found by the ever adventurous Middle Keld Kids. Horse chestnuts, shiny and glowing, fresh from their prickly protection; apples, small and sweet, to be found along the woodland walk as well as blackberries - and with these, I am lucky if they make it to the house as the Kids consider anything found outside to be theirs by right! Cannot deny them the fruits of their labours, and the hours spent gathering, eating, swishing through the long grass or crunching through heaps of fallen leaves are far too precious to pass by. Hope you have the opportunity to revel in Autumn's bounty wherever you might be. If it does not offer what we are enjoying then book yourself into one of our cottages and share all that Middle Keld has to offer.

posted 11-10-2007 at 23:18:41