Visiting John & Beryl. by happypat

Visiting John & Beryl.

We purchased a Dualitt coffee percolator from Lakeland Plastics today so while we were in the area we called in at our friends John & Beryl who we got to know when they stayed with us while John was in Blackpool Victoria Hospital on & off for months.
They live in the bungalow you can see on the right on the far hill.
On the outskirts of Grasmere it has a fantastic view , the field in the foreground holds the Grasmere Sports every August.
John was telling us that the sport of hound trailing is very popular in the Lake District National Park a sport that has been practiced for over 200 years.
It entails a man dragging a sack of aniseed & paraffin rags behind him over the fell which you can see behind the house.
All the hounds are waiting in the field at the bottom & are let loose as soon as he finishes, he opens the gate & they are off!
A different sort of dog than the fox hound, these are more rangy lighter boned whippet type dogs.
There are classes for seniors, veteran & puppies.
The dogs run up the fell along the ridge & back down to the field.
Fell runners take part too but they run up the mountain just out of sight o the left.

Three good things:
1. Great photo opps today & I have plenty of fillers!!
2. Lovely panninis & a bowl of chips in Potted Out in Grasmere.
3. The best TV night.
What a lovely spot Nicely composed shot. I like the b&w. mmmm ....pannini and chips!!!!!
March 25th, 2013  
@jesperani Thank you Jennifer I did b/w because there were only the patches of green in the field anyway.
March 25th, 2013  
Wonderful shot, its a very picturesque spot. Great story to it. Really love his one
March 25th, 2013  
Fabulous shot Pat. Such sharp contrast.
March 25th, 2013  
Wow do real people get to live in such idyllic locations? The snow on the fells looks wonderful.
March 25th, 2013  
Oh I know just where that is - I love the Grasmere games and have watched the amazing hounds and fell runners coming over that hill. Lucky people!! Do you remember your sister took you out for lunch in London for your birthday? Can you remember the restaurant? I'm treating my sister for her 50th but I keep messing up - turns out everything has to be booked months in advance. Anyway I'd like somewhere relaxed as well as nice and that restaurant looked lovely.
March 25th, 2013  
@judithg The Balcon on Pall Mall Judith, you can book online too. I remember it was lovely & special without being stuffy!
March 25th, 2013  
@happypat Oooh thanks Pat. BTW - so who killed him then? Nigel says it's the policewoman! (I THINK he's joking).
March 25th, 2013  
@judithg Well that has been mentioned to me but i thought might be her husband...the policewoman's that is...lots of red herrings!! got to watch the bread programme tonight too , see what all the fuss is about Paul Hollingworth.
March 25th, 2013  
Lovely shot especially in B&W -nice scenic view
March 25th, 2013  
Oh will have to check that out. Well the son definitely knows something and it would be good drama (if rather sad) if it turns out to be her husband. In the old Agatha Christie tradition he's the only one not under suspicion!
March 25th, 2013  
Beautiful scenic photograph
March 25th, 2013  
I love the word "fell" It is part of my childhood stories. Interested to hear about the hound trailing - why do they have parafin in the rags - to set alight? Enjoy seeing part of this Lake Country!
March 25th, 2013  
This is beautifully composed and it has lots to keep my eyes coming back for more
March 25th, 2013  
@maggiemae Not sure about the paraffin maggiemae, John told us they added that & then they gave us last years programme & it never mentions paraffin so perhaps that is not true.
March 25th, 2013  
@maggiemae @markjohnstone might know perhaps!
March 25th, 2013  
Good shot
March 25th, 2013  
@judithg i think it could be the vicar!!
March 25th, 2013  
fantastic monochrome shot Pat, super composition
March 25th, 2013  
beautiful photo Pat
March 25th, 2013  
What a lovely place to visit, such lovely views
March 25th, 2013  
@happypat Actually I was going to mention him - and ex-bird of a feather is up to something because she's got his skateboard. And Rachel says Nige had a harpoon in his van and that's how he set the boat on fire!! Definitely NOT the newsagent!!
March 25th, 2013  
@judithg Def not the newsagent & I saw the skateboard in the caravan. Great detective work re the harpoon & burnt boat....am impressed Nigel!!!!!
March 25th, 2013  
@judithg Ooh not Nigel sorry Rachel got mixed up didn't know that guy was called Nige!!! Sometimes I can't tell a word David Tennant says!!!!
March 25th, 2013  
This is a fantastic shot and I love it in mono
March 26th, 2013  
It looks like such beautiful area there, and what a view.
March 26th, 2013  
This countryside looks sort of rough in this pic because of the contrasts. Bet the hounds get quite a workout! The coffee pot sounds perfect for what you wanted...hope it works out well.
March 26th, 2013  
Nice view. How wonderful that you were able to reconnect with them
March 26th, 2013  
What were you two watching on tv then?!! Whatever I missed out as had a crowd for dinner....glad you've solved the coffee maker problem.......what are you hosting this weekend? a convention?!! love this shot in b&w
March 26th, 2013  
@fannyb We are watching Broadchurch Fanny a riveting 'who done it' on ITV on Monday evenings. Half way through an eight parter. I am amazed how you are so good at cooking for guests...you must love cooking!!!
Have tried the coffee pot this morning & so far am delighted with the results...simple to use delivers a tempting smell & keeps the coffee really hot!!! Have a party of six in both nights over Easter so needs to provide on the go coffee!
March 26th, 2013  
@happypat I agree - he mutters!! I haven't managed to diagnose what's wrong there yet!!
March 26th, 2013  
Fantastic shot. Love the contrast of white and black.
March 26th, 2013  
Absolutely fabulous scene Pat...i just can't believe that this is an easter posting!!!
March 27th, 2013  
@ruthmouch Yes amazing weather isn't it Ruth? How are your family doing in Wales..do they still have sheep & if so have they lost many? It has been terrible watching those poor sheep being pulled out from under the snow alive , but bet many more we don't see are dead!
March 27th, 2013  
What a beautiful scene, Pat, and thank you for the info. Hound trailing - now that is a new one!
March 28th, 2013  
It looks quite remote, and the house built on a slope. Reminds me of a cottage I once stayed at as a kid and the car couldn't make it along the track as it was only suitable for something like a Land Rover, so we had to cross a field on foot for the final leg carrying our supplies. This isn't quite as remote as that, yet it has the same feel. I especially love the steep hillside behind.
March 29th, 2013  
@sabresun Funnily enough Beryl used to do B&B in this house Matt....was perfectly set up for it too! Sounds like an idyllic shot for your holiday specially for a child being snowed in how exciting!!
March 29th, 2013  
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