We’ve only been here five minutes and the place is already looking rather ‘lived in’. Mum has been beavering away making curtains for us using organic cotton (we got it here), and they are very fine. In the kitchen – and here…in the...
It’s a sign of how little sun we’ve seen this ‘summer’ that come autumn, and a little sun, I just wandered about the place, marvelling at how magical it is. As I took this picture I could hear the sound of birds of prey calling, and little...
Yesterday I began my assault on the horrible 50’s concrete extension on the south side of the house, by punching a hole through the wall in front of the previously hidden bathroom window. Today we went a bit further -Here’s the extension first thing this...
This is a really beautiful time of year in the woods, and I’m in the process of clearing fallen timber and storing it to dry. Here’s the entrance into the woodland, which opens into a great clearing, in which is growing one of the few Rowan trees we have....
Last night Mr Truesdale, from along the road, brought round his extensive collection of locally historic documents, and we learned much. It will take a visit to the public records office in Belfast to unearth the detail we need, but now we do know what we are looking...
We do like visitors, and it was great to see John and Elaine from the Turnip House, who very kindly brought us housewarming (and headwarming) hats. If you are coming to the area, make sure you visit their tea house – the cake is fabulous. They make knitwear and...
Thresh seed, and to fanning, September doth cry,get plough to the field, and be sowing of rye;To harrow the ridges, ere ye strike, is one piece of husbandry Suffolk doth like.Sow timely thy white wheat, sow rye in the dust,let seed have his longing, let soil have her...
So…after a bit of research, it looks like we have identified at least some of the people in this picture. We had the photograph looked at by Jayne Shrimpton, a dress historian and picture specialist, who confirmed that the picture was probably taken between...
By the sound of it this house has had its share of chimney fires. Whether you’re burning solid fuel or wood, there is likely to be abuild up of tar and soot in the flue, so now is a good time of year to get your chimneys swept before fires are in frequent...
After an interesting conversation with Michael Rooney this morning, I started to investigate using Griffith’s valuation, and sure enough, there’s the cottage, in plot 38, back in 1863, looking remarkably similar in shape to the way it does today. Even the...
Well that was a busy old day. We made our appearance in the County Down Outlook on Wednesday, asking for more information about the house, and specifically, the range cooker. Gary, nephew of the previous owner came to visit us yesterday, and we learned a lot about the...
Hooray! Having been egg bound since her arrival, and with a sore leg to boot, poor old Hoppi was looking very sorry for herself. Hence she has been holed up in a box in the kitchen, to escape bullying by the other hens and to give her a chance to unblock. Whether it...
