Pumpkins 🎃

 

Earlier this week, we pulled on our wellies and headed off to the farm in search of some Hallowe'en pumpkins. Previously, we have always just bought them from our local farm shop, but this year I thought it would be a special treat to visit an actual pumpkin farm and choose one straight from the field instead. 

I love activities such as this, as they are usually done under the guise of being solely for Lily's benefit, when in fact I get just as much, if not more, enjoyment from them :) 

We were taken by tractor into one of the top fields, where there was row upon row containing different varieties of pumpkins. There were orange ones, white ones, blue ones, yellow ones. They had small ones, tiny ones, regular sized and some huge ones. They even had some warty ones.

We took one of the wheelbarrows provided and went off in search of our 'perfect' pumpkin. We were spoiled for choice. I was almost certain I would choose an orange one this time, but I saw the cutest little yellow pumpkin and instantly knew I just had to take it home with me. 

Then it was back onto the tractor again to visit the stand where we would get our pumpkins sized. Afterwards, we were able to wander around the fields, where there were some great photograph opportunities and some scary scenes to help get us in the Hallowe'en mood.

Now we just need to carve them. 🎃

J. X

Autumn 🍂

The autumn season is fully upon us. Shorter hours of daylight mean that I am usually travelling to work in the dark, and at the very least the light is fading fast when I return home in an evening.  The days have mainly been cloudy and damp, although it still remains quite mild for the time of year which, thankfully, means there has been little need for the central heating to be switched on. A small but necessary victory in the current climate.

The surrounding countryside is displaying some beautiful autumn colour, but the paths are becoming treacherous, covered with soggy leaves, sycamore seeds and beechnuts. On the fells, the once vibrant green bracken has taken on a warm russet hue. My coffee table is, once again, covered in conkers :)

I've been spending more and more time at home lately. Partly, this has been because of the downturn in the weather but also, I've felt more of a need to anchor myself in these continuing uncertain times. I realise that comfort food, a cosy sofa and warm woollen blankets are what I require at the moment, and I am more than happy to indulge myself. Mog frequently positions herself on a cushion right beside me. Perhaps she feels the same. 

Yesterday, the weather turned out a little brighter than expected, and so we took ourselves off on a short walk up to Lanty's Tarn, near the village of Glenridding. The paths and lanes quite empty now, a sharp contrast to the height of summer. Fortunately, the weather remained fine for the most part, just enough of a light shower to produce a few rainbows. On this occasion, the low level of the walk meant I could leave my full waterproof kit behind, and made for more of a relaxing stroll.

Today, I've achieved very little, besides doing some baking and a few rows of crochet. Tomorrow morning, we're heading out in search of a pumpkin. 🎃 Then later in the week, things are going to get a lot more fun ;)

J. X

September

I do realise we are now into October, and as the title proves just how infrequently I have posted lately, I thought another little catch-up might not be a bad idea. 

The new school term began slightly later than usual, which meant we enjoyed a longer than average summer break and so we used this time to take another trip to London. We stayed for two nights, enjoying a full day out in the capital, taking in Tower Bridge, The Museum of Natural History, St. Paul's Cathedral and Hyde Park. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we made the most of the good weather, enjoying a picnic in the museum garden and spending much of the afternoon cooling off in the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. 

Back home once more, we barely had chance to unpack, when we set off again. This time, to Ullswater for a day of paddleboarding, before travelling further north to spend the night in what should have been a camping pod, but thanks to a double booking, we ended up staying in a safari tent instead. It even contained a double bed, which made for a very comfortable stay. A fish and chip supper, followed by an evening beside the campfire provided a lovely way to round off our summer.

Two days later we started back at school for the autumn term, and as usual it felt good to fall back into a familiar routine once again. 

Determined to eke out every last moment of summer, that weekend we drove to Blackpool so that we could see the Illuminations, eat fish and chips, and best of all, enjoy fresh doughnuts bought from the pier. Our faces almost pressed right up against the glass, just to see the wonder of the batter being dropped into the hot oil and transforming into this delicious sugary treat, right before our eyes - I really need to get out more :)  

The last two weekends, we've been out walking, taking in three more Wainwrights and we have, at last, completed all of the Eastern Fells. I'm looking forward to exploring further afield now, and I am challenging myself to make it to the halfway point by the end of the year. 

Looking back over the month, I can see why I've had little opportunity to post. And now that the seasons are shifting, summer is but a distant memory. It's time to slow down, prepare for the colder months ahead, and embrace all that autumn now has to offer. 

J. X

 

Back to Mull

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've had a few busy weeks. I finally received confirmation of my new working hours just a few days before the start of the new school year. I must admit, it was a huge relief, although they have been adjusted once more since then :) I have been thrown in at the deep end, somewhat, but it's all good. I'm learning as I go, developing new skills, and I am working alongside some very experienced colleagues who carry a wealth of knowledge between them. I feel very fortunate. 

Anyway, as it has been a while since I was last here, I thought it best to have a little catch up. 

Way, way back in August - it already feels like a distant memory, and when we were all still complaining about the heat :) - we took a lovely little holiday on the Isle of Mull. Some of you, who have been reading here a while, may remember our last visit there, in 2019, where we stayed in a gorgeous little cottage on the north of the island, fairly close to the incredibly picturesque Calgary Bay. On this occasion, however, we chose to stay on the south of the island, mainly for the ease of exploring some of the more remote areas and also to be able to simply hop on the ferry over to the Island of Iona without the need of a long drive beforehand.

Once again, we had the best time. And it was all the more relaxing for my having made the decision to break our car journey there by stopping overnight in Balloch, a small village at the very southern tip of Loch Lomond. Our guest house was lovely and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. We enjoyed some delicious fish and chips, followed by a visit to the play park and an evening walk along by the loch. My friend had warned me it could get a little busy there, but it was beautiful down by the shore, and it was lovely to see people having barbecues and enjoying the water into the late evening. The sunset was pretty impressive as well. 

The following morning, we woke to the sound of some rather noisy gulls, and after a hearty breakfast we set off once again on our drive towards Oban. Another very hot and sunny day, we went to the supermarket to get our supplies for the week. Then we enjoyed a sandwich lunch down by the harbour, followed by an ice cream, before catching our ferry across the Sound of Mull to Craignure. After another much shorter but incredibly scenic drive, we arrived at our accommodation for the week. A large, spacious house with the most wonderful sea views, and once unpacked, we were treated to another breath-taking sunset on our very first evening.

Our first full day on the island began with more typically Scottish weather and some rather dramatic flashes of lightening. Once the storm had passed, we drove to the tiny village of Fionnphort, to check ferry times for the following morning's trip across to Iona. The island looking very inviting, on what had turned into a bright and sunny afternoon. We then drove back to the house, stopping for a short walk alongside Loch Pottie, which, of course, Lily found hilarious.

The next morning, we took the short, ten minute ferry crossing over to Iona. Passing McLeans Cross the nunnery ruins and the abbey, we walked up to the highest point of the island, Dun I, where we sat to take in the island views and eat our picnic lunch. (Some things don't change, even on holiday.) 

Afterwards, we continued our walk, heading north to the stunning White Beach. Soft white sand, littered with shells and lapped by a turquoise sea. It was so very beautiful there, and aside from its religious significance, I can easily see why the island attracts visitors from all over the world. 

The remainder of our holiday was spent exploring many more of Mull's spectacular beaches including Ardalanish Bay, home to the Isle of Mull Weavers, and where I treated myself to some wool, Fidden, Knockvologan, and the tiny Island of Erraid, made famous as one of the locations featured in the novel Kidnapped, which can be reached at low tide. We made two more trips over to Iona. Once to explore the west coast, then walk along a well-trodden path to the south of the island to St. Columba's Bay. Then again on our final day, to re-visit White Bay, returning to the house later that evening but not before enjoying some freshly caught scallops and langoustines served at The Creel Seafood Bar, situated right beside the jetty at Fionnphort. Absolutely delicious, and I would thoroughly recommend a visit there.

Sadly, all too soon, it was time for us to return home. And as we boarded the ferry back to Oban, I realised it may have only been my second time on Mull but I'm sure it won't be my last. 

J. X