Sam and Zoe invited us to stay with them for a few days starting on the 4th of August. On that morning, we had an email to say that the train had been cancelled! Sam investigated and found that it wasn’t cancelled at all. We took a train from Penrith, changed at Crewe and spent a few days in Berkhamsted, 26 miles northwest of London.
We enjoyed staying with Sam, Zoe, Harriett and Imogen and seeing their new home, particularly our visit to the Ashridge Estate.
Monument in the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate
According to Wikipedia and my long-forgotten study of economic history, The Duke of Bridgewater “was a pioneer in the construction of canals during the early part of the Industrial Revolution”.
Our activities were a little curtailed by my boot and the fact that Annabel tripped down the step and sprained her foot!
Immy painted me in the garden.
David and Jenny joined us for a picnic at Hartside, Cumbria to watch the eclipse. We took a pin hole camera, colander and a holey spoon. None of them worked!
Hartside, Cumbria
Waiting for the eclipse
Waiting for the eclipse
The Eclipse! Cloud came across at the crucial moment and we were able to see it.
The following day we visited Appleby Show.
A photo used on the front page of The Herald
Appleby Show
Appleby Show
Exhibits at the show
On Saturday 14th we visited a very superior chef, for a 3-course dinner.
Chorizo with a bread pyramid filled with pineapple and a cider sauce.
Chicken encased in crispy kale on a spicy tomato sauce with permentier potatoes and broccoli fried in oil and lemon.
Followed by panacotta with black pepper and strawberry with a strawberry compote and a biscuit crumb with black pepper.
We would certainly recommend the chef, Cooper Hollis.
The following day we had a Richardson get together at Nikki’s farm near York. Tom drove Annabel and me. It was great to see everybody, some of whom, we had not seen since they were children.
All the Richardson grandchildren (except Sam)
My first visit with the U3A Penrith Photography Group since I had my boot fitted.
Hermitage Castle is a semi-ruined castle in the border region of Scotland. It stands in the remote valley of the Hermitage Water, part of Liddesdale in Roxburghshire. The castle has a reputation, both from its history and its appearance, as one of the most sinister and atmospheric castles in Scotland.
Hermitage Castle
The nearby church graveyard
Hermitage Castle
Hermitage Castle
Butterfly in the garden in Temple Sowerby
Temple Sowerby
Temple Sowerby Bubble champion
Temple Sowerby inhabitants.
A walk to National Trust’s Acorn Bank with boot.
Fungus (but not the Bogey man!)
At last, on the 25th my boot came off.
When Tom, Tara and family returned from Tuscany we had Sunday lunch with them at our village pub.
Good to have your news and to learn that the boot is now history.
When can I book dinner with Cooper?? The presentation looks amazing, I hope it tasted as good as it looked!
Lots more varied and excellent photos too this month, I assume that the Appleby Show is an annual event?