May the potatoes rise up to meet you . . . Our potato plants are doing very well this year. It’s hard to believe that it’s been just over two years since I wrote somewhat lyrically about preparation and anticipation…
A series of novels about Allendale
Haddaway man! But, well, aye. Really. Free taster! Greetings as we look to emerge from the pandemic! Ever so slowly, ever so hesitantly, but possibly sometime around the corner. It’s been quite a year, hasn’t it? I do hope…
It’s on its way!
Although I’ve been watching the updates on my account with BookPrintingUK.com like a very impatient hawk hovering at the roadside in the afternoon sunshine, I wasn’t quite sure, after the ‘BW Insides Printing’ the ‘Trimming’ and the ‘Quality Control’ notices,…
A timely, contributed poem
I’m so delighted to provide Marjorie Anderson space for her lovely poem, a piece of work that set our Creative Writing class a-tingle last term. This poem, for me, develops the whole sense of the year ahead, and the year…
Proofs accepted; printing in process
Well, let’s see . . . a fair bit of work has gone into the compiling of all the components for the big ‘book of the blog,’ but it’s all finished now, and the proof came back by 1st Class…
New projects for the coming year . . .
There’s a variety of new ideas floating around these valleys, some of which may come to fruition in the new year ahead. If they do, then the work begun this year will have laid the foundation for those projects of…
And New Year’s Day, once again . . . whew!
These images from Stephanie Atkinson of this morning’s great clear-up of the square remind us of last year’s similar images. Thanks Stephanie! Today the diary turns the corner into another year. Stephanie, who is always up early to walk her…
New Year’s Eve . . . only the Tar Bar’ls will do
This is Allendale, after all, and tonight the ‘guisers will be out in full force, marching away from the Lych Gate in front of the Golden Lion and the King’s Head, and down around the Dale, turning left at the…
Will Stonehouse, Moles & Rabbits
The snowflakes were falling heavy and wet a couple weeks ago, so I think Will was glad to take a break with us in a warm kitchen and a cup of coffee, to chat about his outdoor pursuits, after a…
Marlene Kinver, Shepherd
Long ago, when The Dale was still offering horse-riding weekends, Marlene Kinver was drawn northwards from the West Country. She’s been here ever since. Now responsible for some 240 head of rare breed sheep (Jacob and Rylands) that are distributed…