Lumley Castle is situated at the top of the drive,
hidden behind the trees on the left
Lumley Castle - southern facing wing (above)
Lumley Castle - viewed from the front. The Baronial Hall
is situated between the towers on the first floor.
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27 comments:
Vivienne, you must be a bit of a roving reporter/photographer. I'm convinced that if Ian mentioned Outer Mongolia you would have a photo somewhere. I am very impressed.
Just for a change of subject....anyone done any Christmas shopping yet, the big day is 8 weeks today.
Hi Sid,
I have to disappoint you. I'm afraid I've never been to Outer Mongolia and have no plans to go there. Too far!
I haven't started Christmas Shopping either. We've been having a debate about cutting back this year, but haven't decided what to do. For many years I've been to my younger sister's on Christmas Day. She has four boys, so they always wanted to stay at home with their presents. Now they've all got partners, and one is married with a daughter. We would like to go away for a change, and it would save my sister from lots of cooking. However we've left it a bit late for that.
How about you Sid? Do you have a big family gathering?
Hello chums,
I'm waiting in for a parcel today. I did the same yesterday as well. The annoying thing is it came, but I didn't hear the knock. That's the trouble with living in a castle, the doors are soo thick.lol.
Vivienne, our Christmas is usually centred at home. Jean's brother and sister come for dinner and tea. Later my other two daughters arrive with their hubby's, (and one grandson), for tea.
After the dinner dishes are washed, and the table set for tea, I normally scarper to the allotment. The parkray should still be on from the night before, and its just a matter of kettle on and feet up....and breath a sigh of relief.
Back home before folks leave, and then later wave them goodbye. A couple of cartwheels down the passage, landing in my favourite chair with the latest Andy McNab book. Now that's the plan, I shall let you all know if it works out that way.
Hi All,
I hope everyone's ok, haven't been around the last couple of days due to a 'pc malfunction' Hoping everything's ok now, fingers crossed!
Sid, you sound like you have it sussed for Christmas. Must be down to having the perfect wife who lets you get away with it! That's what Christmas is for, just relaxing and spending time with the people you choose to spend it with. I had years of dashing about, trying to fit in as many visits as possible in such a short time. (Working in retail, I always worked late Christmas Eve, then back in Boxing Day for the sales)
As our families got bigger and older we took the decision to drop the present buying for the extended family, send a card, and stay at home in our own little groups. It works so well, taking all of the pressure off with Christmas shopping etc. I just make sure that we have a nice lunch and apart from that we don't buy a lot extra at all.just a few little personal presents.
I know it might sound a bit like Scrooge but it works for us. We've realised that it takes so much pressure off that we really enjoy our time together, maybe getting together for a meal at the end of January when it's really dark and miserable and we've got time to be sociable!
PS Hildies Happy Hour ... great idea, when?
Hi Inga,
Sorry, using slang without thinking about it. I suppose 'sussed' means sorted, worked out, I can't think of a word connection ... I'll have to check MY dictionary! (Aren't the public more demanding these days?)
Hi Folks,
I've just spent about 50 mins writing a comment, but realised I was signed in as M&D. I clicked on the link to use a different account, and lost the lot!
Sorry but I'm hungry, so will catch up with you later. Just wanted to say I was lucky with the weather today. The showers and clouds had passed over before I arrived at Lumley Castle, so it looked magnificent in the late afternoon sun.
Lots of firework displays going off around me tonight. At least one sounds like an organised display.
Bye for now..........
Hi Inga,
Sussed is a slang word, in general use now throughout Britain I would think. I don't think there will be any link to Geordie. I've given the Oxford dictionary explanation:
Brit. informal
• verb (sussed, sussing) 1 (often suss out) realize or understand the true character or nature of. 2 sussed clever and well informed.
• noun knowledge or awareness of a specified kind: business suss.
— ORIGIN abbreviation of SUSPECT.
I'm sure if you enter Morecambe and Wise into You Tube there'll be some of their videos, especially 'bring me sunshine' as that was at the end of every show. They had a Saturday night show for years.
I loved your praise of Ians' show, he is, in fact, unique and we realise that we are very lucky to be able to listen to him, even if it is at a silly time!
Sorry, just realised that I've answered Ingas' question about Morecame and Wise on the wrong blog. Oh dear, I'm afraid old age is settling in quicker than I thought, I think it's that "Oldtimers disease!" I just hope that you can bear with me. Here's a seasonal anagram that I heard today. It's something that you traditionally eat around this time of year : Rented Office.
Hildie must be occupied with her company. My pc is a bit temperamental at the moment, so if I don't come back for while it's nothing personal!
Hi Folks,
I've been writing a letter of complaint to Virgin Media, about my missing wireless router plus the saga of events. So I've got a bit behind with my emails. Sitting cramped over my laptop instead of on a comfortable seat /bed, I've now got pins & needles in my leg and foot. I'll catch up with you Maureen and Inga tomorrow.
I'll give your anagram some thought, Maureen. Here's a puzzle I heard on Radio York, when I was out on my travels:
What helps to go when it's up and stop when it's down?
I've found out about the Marsden Grotto ghost. He's called Jibber John, a smuggler, who was hanged from Marsden cliffs. He is seen outside the Grotto rather than within. However, after finding his old tankard on the bar one night, when no-one had moved it, the landlord decided Jibber John was asking for a drink. Each night since then the landlord has left his filled tankard on the bar. The tankard is empty by morning. The man relating the tale on Radio Newcastle actually spent a night in the bar, with the landlord and Jibber John's full tankard. They checked the tankard every hour, and just before dawn most of the contents had diasppeared! Also, ill befalls on anyone who uses Jibber John's tankard!
Ok, who's going to write the next few lines / chapter of the Halloween Story?
VIVIENNE, I forgot to tell you that I absolutley love the picture of the road to Lumley Castle. We had another wonderful fall day here in Arkansas and one of the things we did was to take a walk along a country road. It can compete - possibly come out the winner - with yours for color BUT instead of a castle, there is a cemetery at the end of our country road :-)!
MAUREEN, thanks for educating me about sussing. Would you believe that I've never visited You Tube? Well, I am tempted now!
Probably won't solve the "Rented Office" anagram since I am not very familiar what you guys eat tradionally this time of the year. VIVIENNE, the Radio York puzzle is intriguing. I doubt that I'll sove it. Not tonight anyway. After 2 glasses of wine I feel more like dancing than thinking :-)
VIVIENNE - Ian just read your Zen Advice again, calling it an excellent email.
Hi Folks,
Just a quickie. Have you all seen Ian's super new posting?
Maureen, I guess RENTED OFFICE isn't NICE RED TOFFEE is it! I'll keep juggling the letters!
Hi again,
The minute I shut down my laptop I thought of CINDER TOFFEE, Maureen, although I don't really see a connection with this time of year. Toffee apples for Halloween aren't usually made with cinder toffee.
Thanks for letting me know about Ian reading out my 'Zen' email, Inga. I'd missed hearing him. I've sent one or two others, which he may keep for the next People's Nightshift.
I also like the idea of the Happy Hour.
I've had a response to my complaint, and should receive my wireless router by Friday!!! Watch this space. After 3 months I've ceased getting excited about its' arrival.
Hi,
Vivienne you were right with cinder toffee, Inga might know it as honeycomb, so I don't suppose it was fair to her, sorry! I think anything toffee related is connected to Guy Fawkes or Bonfire night. Like toffee apples, toffee cakes (remember making them in paper cases and sprinkling coconut on top?) We used to play 'dookie apple' (bobbing for apples) in a big dish of cold water on Halloween night instead of being outside knocking on doors. How about you?
By the way I've added my bit to the Halloween story. After the problems with my pc, I settled down to write something today, got nearly finished and it closed down on me, losing it all! So I've had a second go, hope it's ok.
Hi Folks,
Well done Maureen, your episode was well worth the wait, 'though I'm sorry you completely lost your first endeavour. Perhaps Jibber John was putting a spoke in the wheel!!! I love the way you've brought Pip and Pop into the story. I can't wait for the next chapter. Who's next?
Back to Halloween, we used to call it, 'Dookie Apple Night.' We had a large bowl on the kitchen floor, in which we 'dooked' for apples. I guess 'dooked' was a Geordie version of 'ducked.' Only ducks would, I'm sure, be more successful.
We also strung apples to our kitchen airer, which was one of the old fashioned types, suspended from the ceiling, and accessed via pullies. It was just as difficult to catch the apples, but at least your face didn't get wet! I'd forgotten we used to make toffee cakes. Although I preferred the ordinary toffee, I loved to add bicarb to make it fizz up.
Of course in those days we couldn't buy pumpkins, so spent hours carving out a turnip, then adding a candle. We never heard of 'Trick or Treat' either. That phenomena drifted over from the USA a number of years ago, maybe about the time the 'Halloween' movies were released.
Inga, I'm pleased you like the photo of the Lumley Castle trees. Have you taken any photos of your 'neck of the woods' which I could post here? I'd love to get a 'feel' of where you live, especially in the fall. I'm sure your Truckshunter family would enjoy them too.
Hi All,
Vivienne, I thought that we were the only ones who chased apples around on a bit of string! and carving the turnip kept us entertained the night before. Can you remember the smell of burnt turnip as your candle burnt down?
Did anyone hear Jonathan Miles discussing sleeplessness this morning? a couple of people mentioned listening to the radio, yet no one mentioned listening to Ian. I was dying to text or email in but I couldn't get to my phone. I couldn't believe that even Jonathan didn't pick up on it and give Ian a mention. When you think of the number of trailers they run for other presenters ...
PS Thanks for your kind comments on the story. I did have some pictures of the old house over the cave but I can't find them at the moment and I was a bit worried about the copyright issue. The man who lived there was known as Blaster Jack and he wasn't always a hermit as he brought up a large family there along with his wife!
Hi Folks,
We've just left a note on truckshunters.blogspot.com for Ian, regarding ways to promote his blog. We've invited him to join us now and again here, in the hope listeners wil join our blog to have contact with him. We can advertise Truckshunters here, so hopefully listeners will in turn find Ian's blog.
It seems awful that Ian's not allowed to promote his blog, especially as it clearly states it's not connected with the BBC.
Evening All,
I hope that everyone's well. We all seem to be enjoying the colours of autumn at the moment and when I came across this poem from Elsie Brady today I just wanted to share, I think it says it all:
Leaves by Elsie Brady....
How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.
At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow.
Nice isn't it?
VIVIENNE - are you still there? I just emailed Ian to warn him there there will be countless demands for the revival of the Tipsy Duchess and he's already had one from you! Of, course this was my introduction to this character and I do hope he will treat us to more.
I was gone most of the day yesterday and quite busy today with one thing and another but I will send some photos from this area. Thanks for asking.
Hi Folks!
I've added a bit more to the Halloween Story, in the hope of inspiring you to join in.
Vivienne, I wish I could contribute to your Halloween story but I just don't have the imagination needed for such an enterprise.
Vivienne, Ian read your napping dog story just now.
TTY - ALL - L
Sid, he also read your dentist receptionist story!
Hi Inga,
Now it's my turn to as a question. What is TTY - ALL - L ?
Have you seen Ian's new posting with the super photo of Obama?
That katydid creature looks as though it was posing for you to take its' photo!
Hello everyone,
Vivienne, I think it stands for Talk To You ALL Later.
Inga, I didn't hear Ian read my dentist receptionist story, thanks for letting me know.
It's been a miserable day here in Gateshead, damp and wet. Murky is a good description.
Hi Sid,
Thanks for explaining the letters. Yes it's very murky today. In fact I drove passed Penshaw Monument earlier today, and it wasn't visible at all. I could make out the hill through the mist, but it looked as if the monument had been removed.
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