We had a very uneventful trip north to Stockton-On-Tees, London traffic still busy but no delays. Left Cambridge at 8:30 am and arrived at our destination 12 hours later. We are just on the outskirts of Stockton-On-Tees near the small rural village of Carlton. We have three dogs to look after. Izzi and Stan – two English Shepherds – and Bert – a 13 week old English Mastiff pup. Life is certainly not dull. Bert is so funny. He is huge but has all the cuteness and awkwardness of a puppy. He drives Izzi crazy at times. His rough and tumble is full of innocence but his weight and strength can be a bit overwhelming. Stan just ignores Bert as much as possible. So our days are full of walks and numerous feeds. The big dogs do the walks, Bert does most of the eating. 4 meals a day to keep up with his growth rate.
We headed off to the North Pennines yesterday. We have the use of a car – makes life so much easier! The dogs stayed at home in the warm so it was just the two of us. Nice and quiet!! The North Pennines are very similar to the Yorkshire Dales. Rugged green hills with lots of stone fences; wild rushing rivers winding their way along valley floors. We drove along the Weardale Valley to St John’s Chapel where we stopped for afternoon tea at the Chatterbox Café. Very yummy. Then it was over the mountains to the Teesdale Valley, with the River Tees – the main river of the region. The mountain pass – or Langdon Fell – was very wild and beautiful. Great views back down the Weardale Valley as we climbed. Flat isolated country on the ridge. More beautiful farmland on the other side. A lovely afternoon out. Very excited dogs to welcome us home.
That’s it for now
Love Di and Reg
This entry was posted in England, House Sits, Stockton on Tees, Durham, United Kingdom- Catterbox Cafe
- dogs
- house sit
- mountain pass
- North Pennines
- River Tees
- St John's Chapel
- Teesdale Valley
- Weardale Valley
Hi there! You both look so wonderful and smiley faced. What an adventure you continue to have. I was thinking of you both again recently for two reasons. That we sang some fun songs at church with guitars. Our choir is bigger now that we are together with Union so we make more noise. I think you would have liked that. Then I recalled all the snow last year. Today the sidewalks are bare and the snow has basically gone. The lake is open. but we expect snow in a day or two and that will be a good thing.
Wishing you a peaceful journey! Victoria and Keith
We are still waiting for our first snow of the year!!!! Lovely to hear from you xxxxx
Hi There. Definitely like James Herriot country do you think? Have been watching some episodes lately great viewing. The assistant managers at manna like them as well have given them some to watch. Love the dogs keeping you well exercised LoL
Love reading of your adventures
Love Heather
yes….so James Herriot! We are planning to revisit North Yorkshire, real Herriot country, while staying here. The village house used as “Skeldale House” in the series is in the village of Askrigg. Thirsk is where the real James Heriot lived. All not far from here. Keen to see it all again. Love to everyone at Manna xxxxxx
Glad that you arrived safely. Been thinking about you lots over the past few days. You are certainly having a great adventure. Glad that the dogs welcomed you. Have fun taking them for walks and playing with them. Love reading your blog.
Lots of love
Tarsh xxxx
Love reading your messages Tarsh. Always so encouraging. Thank you xxxxoxxxx
Dogs do tend to centre your life. Great de-stressers
Hiope yoy guys are unwinding and enjoying good heakth
God bless you guys
God Bless in return! Off to Thuir today – back to a more normal routine – if that ever applies to us!