And so it started…

Well, I’ve been wanting and meaning to start a blog for ages. Mainly, to record what is happening in my life (so much has changed in the last 2 years) – I thought it would be a good way to record important and small things that happen, or amuse, sadden and interest me.  So here I am.

Of course, it’s not just about me. There are 7 of us in this blended family that is still establishing itself. Me and Geoff wanted to be together after spending some time travelling between Whitley Bay and Castleside (an hour each way).  So, after much discussion we decided that I would move nearer to where he is from in County Durham, a permanent move with my 3 children, Geoff and his two children.  We moved here to a beautiful part of the countryside in County Durham, 11 months ago. We were lucky enough to find a house big enough for the two of us and our 5 children, plus assorted creatures.  We are about half a mile from the Derwent Reservoir, on the very edge of the fells and find ourselves part of a small village (more on that another time!).  People seem to think that we are living on a country estate but in reality it is a very old coach house which has been extended. The original part was built in the 1600’s to house the wagons and horses linked to the small church which stands next door to us.  This picture was taken just after we moved in, when we had some lovely spring-like weather during early March.

Here is a photo of the front of our home as it looks now, in the freezing weather.

We have a lot of outside space too, part of the garden is a nice lawn, the rest is what I would call “managed wilderness”! Part of it used to be a tennis court (a long time ago) and this is now covered in wild garlic and houses our hen enclosure. Beyond that is a wooded area which is home to rabbits, wild pheasants and the odd deer.  More about the hens next time, and their new friend – the rooster.

So, we are on the edge of the fells, surrounded by beautiful scenery and farms – I really do feel lucky!  This photo was taken at the end of our lane.

I hope that I have set the scene for some of our adventures and of course, I will share more as I go along. With 5 kids, 5 chooks, 6 dogs and 2 polecats as well as wild pheasants and other assorted wildlife, there is plenty going on…