Visit to Linda and Graham's August 2011

The visit was tinged with sadness because dear Casper the Cat had been knocked down on the road outside the house a couple of days before we arrived. Casper had been with Linda for 17 years and was a wonderful cat to have around for all of us. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten by anyone who met him.

Newcastle station

Fascinating electric overhead wires

Do not leave bags or old ladies unattended on the station or they will be removed and maybe blown up!

More overhead stuff

Cumbria sky at sunset from our bedroom window at Linda and Graham's

The horses in the field at the back always go up to the top of the hill at this time of day-there are a lot of horses and this year there are 2 lovely foals as well

some of the things Linda put in for the St Bees Show -this one is cross stitch by hand

This is finished on the machine

tiny cross stitch-got first prize

Got second prize though I liked the one with the animals better

Flowers at the show

One of the beautiful flower arrangements

I was given a huge bunch of these sweetpeas--just cause I was Linda's mum-I think it was the bunch on the right in the vase

Among the gladdies

Linda was given the huge bunch of Gladioli and we bought the carrot for 20p and the leek for 50p. I made a big pan of soup with the veg the next day and it tasted delicious-the big veg weren't tough at all. We also bought the plate of home made cakes you can just see in the front-very nice!

Me and Vic got Linda this little basket of flowers and the neighbour across from them bought a beautiful bunch of lilies when Casper died. The people around them are really nice.

This is Bert who has been with Linda for 17 years as well and was obviously missing Casper. He hadn't eaten for few days but had started again just before we came home.

(Sorry the pics are a bit blurred-the camera man isn't sure why but he is going to practice indoor shots he says.)

This is a must place to go if you visit Whitehaven. It is called West Cafe and is run by a few people but the main workforce are special needs people and they wait on tables and take orders etc. The system they use is amazing and the place has a wonderful atmosphere with its own bakery up the stairs and a wonderful gallery where you can buy unusual things. I got a handmade pot pig and I love it.

We went in twice while we were up there - it has settees or table and chairs the choice is yours. Always fresh flowers on the tables and real cotton napkins as well.

There are some lovely sculptures here and there in the town and I loved this one in the market place. Just to the left is the harbour and marina and it is really lovely there with an exhibition centre.

Linda,Graham and Vic made the new bit of garden at the back on the left--the stakes go into the ground quite a way and it was hard work .

View over the fence

Back of the house and the row of cottages on the village street

The path up the side of the house

View at the top of the path

Front of the house

Lane down to the station

Looking towards Scotland from Parton Station-very early morning. We could also see the Isle of Man to the left of the station.

The little village station just down the lane from where Linda and Graham live at Lowca. A big contrast to the busy, state of the art station at Newcastle.

Hope you enjoyed the glimpse of Cumbria life and will maybe go there yourself one day