Merry Christmas

As Christmas draws near we wanted to wish all our customers, friends and suppliers a very happy Christmas and a good 2010.

Thankyou for your support and help

Dennis and Judith

Dufton

The village of Dufton is now mostly associated with Dufton peak, that sharp conical hill which is visible from the A66. However the village is worthy of a stop over. It was once closely associated with the lead mining industry and there is a commenoration fountain on the village green.

From Dufton there are walks through the woods and down the valley towards Milton.

Crosby Ravensworth and the Eden Valley

Crosby Ravensworth is a little further up river than Ainstable.

This is where the river Eden really starts to enter the Eden Valley proper.

Its a quiet and beautiful part of the country. It doesnt have the moorland type of desolation you get up on the Scottish Borders but it is isolated and if you make the effort to climb the limestone ridges than some of the views to the Howgills over in the West are brilliant.

Christianbury Crags

This blog is about a wild and remote part of Cumbria. Up on the border with Scotland lies Christianbury Crags. Once this was a popular destination for walkers but the planting of conifer plantations has really made this a seldom visited part of Cumbria. The views over the moorlands into Scotland are desolate and wild. The outcrops have weird angles and when the mist roles down you can believe that ghosts and witches once more walk the earth.

Here in the Eden Valley we have lots of dog walking country, footpaths along the river, across the fields and of course the woods. Close to the river there isn't usually any stock to worry about, just the ducks to chase and of course sticks to be thrown.

So if you want somewhere to walk your dog in peace and quiet amongst beautiful countryside then the Eden Valley is ideal.

The Eden Valley - long views

Most people think of the Eden Valley as small roads, high hedges , forests and the river running through it.

But every so often you get these beautiful long views, often up to Cross fell and the Pennines and when the sun catches the land just right then it can be one of the most beautiful places you have ever been.

This picture is taken on the road past Coombes Wood running down to the Armathwaite/Ainstable cross roads.

Grizedale Forest

Looking back over old photos , remembering the times we travelled outside the Eden Valley
we came across these pictures from Grizedale forest.It was a lovely day out and the sculptures were just such a pleasure to see.