Tuesday ,Tuesday

#tuesdaythoughts what does Tuesday mean to you. My #Tuesday was #ᴛᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ to my #roses, picking #Trays of raspberries from the #garden , #Thoughtful #guests , then #Time for #Tea at the #thestarinharome with little #treasures Tucked in the Wall and to #Talk to old friends. My Tuesday was a good day #thankyou Hope yours was as good

How to Date Billy Walsh | Official Trailer | Amazon Prime and it is filmed at Ampleforth

The location of Ampleforth was chosen for this film - The village was chosen because it had a backdrop of rolling hills, verdant green spaces, and tranquil countryside, providing a dramatic backdrop for some of the more intense scenes and intimate scenes, such as food fights and rainy romantic play, which were shot in a movie studio in a movie studio. and stars Sebastian Croft The school is at Ampleforth College. This is good news again for the area as it was also were JK Rowlings got some of her inspiration to write the Harry Potter books. So probably a good time to book a stay with us before the crowds start to form.

So tonight I got the tape measure out

As I have mentioned many times before, we have visitors that come most nights, but tonight I was amazing. Not only one but three deer ventured through the back garden gate and ended up only 8 foot from me .It was a shame as I get a clearer photo, when I have the stable door open. It was well after 8pm and as the sun had gone down it was getting quite cool and the dew had fallen. I happned to look out of the window and saw a deer near the gate so I went to the stable door as I thought I would get a btter photo. Low and behold there were 3 of them only 8 foot from me . They are casting their winter coats so they do now look their best. The wire fences are up to stop them coming during the night and getting into the main front garden. They can soon do a lot of damage. One night they cleared the whole 6ft magnolia tree off of its flowers . We turn a blind eye to them nibbling the blossom from the trees. We are hoping to set up a hide so when you come to stay you can see them as near hand as we do

Still gathering in the Harvest

 It has been a bumper year for fruit and vegetables,  so the house has had a lingering smell of vinegar over the last few weeks. Cucumbers ..there are only so many ways to eat cucumbers. I have not let any go to waste as made them into bread and butter pickle and not a piece of bread in sight. How it got its name as it is said it is so good to eat you only need bread and butter with it . We like it with cold meat or pork pie. It also went down very well with some Scotch eggs I made .They are easy to make and I think fry better when they are coated with semolina rather than bread crumbs and seem to hold to the sausage meat better. You may like to give it a try. .Also another tip about sausage meat is to make your own with minced pork . Just add some bread crumbs,herbs and an egg to bind it together. Works out it doubles in volume and so makes it a cheaper way to make your Scotch eggs,

Now I am into the hedgerows collecting rosehips, brambles and elderberries .I am concentrating more on picking rosehips as they have a higher value of Vitamin C in and at least don't stain your hands like elderberries. 

This morning Jack said when he was out with the dogs it was trying to snow. Do we really need it yet . It is certainly log fire weather now .

 I am busy saving any paper,  as in the Spring I am hoping to run courses for 6 people here. "A 6 friends get together" and will talk more about it in later postings  . But in the Spring looking to put together courses for you . The idea is to have one party of 6 people who are old school friends , relations - 3 generation parties  or just 6 friends wanting to get away and spend a few days together in a safe environment . We live in a dark sky area and what we take for granted is not what others have. So to enjoy eating a meal under the stars what better way to finish your day off. 

My website is going to be updated shortly and will then reveal all these new and exciting programme of stays that we hope may be of interest to you . And there will be always something you can take home with you too .

So now back to the pickling kitchen .

if you like trees and water and peace

What do you have when you step out of your back door.

When you live in a place like we do I suppose we take it for granted and some people would spend a lot more time up here than we do . I like to be near water and near trees and sometimes away from the telephone too . Here is a short video to show you just some of the things what you are missing.

When Jack is near the trees he usually has a chainsaw in this hand.

Getting the wood in for winter and as you will see there are a lot of fallen branches to keep us busy. When guests come to stay with us they often get in their cars and go off for the days. To visit stately homes and castles ,walled gardens and even plant centres. They come for all sorts of reasons. But what better place to go some take a book to read,others an easel and some just nod off in the peace and quiet. So as we hope to be coming out of lockdown before too long we are starting to think that people may just want to have a bit of space to themselves ,to feel safe and not to join the multitudes but to come and stay with us and simple enjoy our "back garden" They need to bring their cameras too as you never know what opportunity is there for you to catch , a deer with young ,the woodpecker , the fragile life that live in the woods, fungi and microorganism ...here today gone tomorrow.

The beauty of living in the countryside...

The beauty of living where we do or staying here as guests you are surrounded by flora and fauna whatever time of year. We have had some brilliant sunny weather so everything is forward this year. And as the trees burst into bud and the fruit trees into blossom ,the lilac is just coming out and the birds sing as long as the day is light. Nothing seems to have changed here as far as nature is concerned . Always have your camera with you, as you never know when you will see one or more of theses beautiful creatures.  You will have seen for earlier posts that the deer come right up to the back of the house I was quite taken aback today when I was coming on the road from the farm up towards the house. A young deer was walking down the middle of the road without a care in the world. It was quite unreal as if he had taken charge of traffic controls . He turned round and looked at me as if to say he was looking for directions. he looked at the house sign turned his head and then with a jump and a skip went up with drive in front of me . He went up about 50 yards in front of me and then decide to take a right and jump the fence and into the field .He wasn't really in a hurry and as I puffed up the hill and caught sight of him he just looked round ,stretched is legs and he was off.

So when lockdown is over and you think to venture to come to stay with us you must remember to  bring your camera  too

Within 30 minutes drive from us is


Thornton-le-Dale

A North Yorkshire gem, is as old as it is pretty . Highlights include the village green (complete with ancient stocks), a stunning thatched stone cottage beside the beck you may recognise from chocolate box or biscuit box tops and has been known to be featured in jigsaw. The Grade 2 listed church, overlooking the village and the stream as it travels passed the mill and is a playground for a lots of ducks ,
You can always get a ice cream at Baldersons or a cup fo tea in the tea room there. 
If you are interested in old cars you will be in your element as there are regular auctions in the village and you might just be

What a enjoyable way ...

.. to spend part of my Sunday afternoon at the home of artist Stephen Guyon-Bird who lives with his lovely wife Elaine. How welcoming they were, I could have stopped all day as to see Stephen's work was so fascinating . Also it was a trip down memory lane as I spent many hours playing here as a children and very little seems to have changed.  They live at Coram Cottage in Ampleforth ,former home of Peter Walker who wrote the "Heartbeat "books.
It was Open Studios in North Yorkshire last weekend and this. Let me explain or in Stephens words which are better than mine [ his words are in green below ] My take on them in laymans terms would be some works verged on steam punk with an edge of Cezanne to them .
They are busy,so much detail. Turn Closing Time on its side and the drunk man under the table now  now stands upright as the woman doing handstands on the table immediately turns into the one laid on the floor, it is so clever. The other favourite of mine is The Fall - a modern day Adam and Eve with a plate of apples as if the fowl coming in as if to be fed before in turn are dressed for the table.
 I came away proudly clutching 5 postcards

SG Bird is a full time artist. Narrative allegorical paintings explore the realignment of archetypal imagery in an agnostic and fragmented world. Themes include the tragedy and comedy of village life, paradoxes in the heritage industry, the absurdities of the rural idyll. The work is underpinned by observational drawing as a challenge and alternative to lens based digital imagery and mechanical imitative naturalism. The wish is never to underestimate the interpretive powers of the audience. Life is dark but also funny.

I hope when you come to stay with us you will take time to visit Stephen and his amazing art work.

Autumn Life at Carr House Farm,Ampleforth in photos

We have been blessed with an amazing Summer and now an equally perfect Autumn. This collage was kindly made for us by Julie Jones . My favourite of the 3 she has done for us . It is not too late to book a few days away and stay with us and enjoy the fruits of Autumn and enjoy some Yorkshire fresh air . Ring us on 01347 868526 to book your stay. Wake up from the comfort of a 4 poster bed, eat a tasty breakfast before setting off on your search of take photograph just like these.

Finalists for the White Rose Awards 2017

We feel very proud and honoured that our little bed and breakfast here at Carr House Farm has been named as one of the 6 finalists for the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards 2017 in the bed and Breakfast section for the whole of Yorkshire.

Ampleforth has done very well as not only ourselves have been short listed but the White Swan in Ampleforth has also got through to the finals, not only for Yorkshire's Best Pub 2017 but also for the WRA 2017 in the Pub category. Both awards are run by Welcome to Yorkshire and are known to be the country's biggest award ceremony in the country .This will also allow both of us to go through to the national award which are urn by Visit England.

I hope the judge will come soon as the roses are at their best at the moment and everything around here is green and lush and the countryside is looking its nicest.

Jack tirelessly keeps the grass cut and the roadside and drive sides strimmed. As we have had a new hedge planted this year he has had to keep off the wire a distance as the strimmer has no mercy and chops everything down in its way .

Jacks birthday before the big 6 0

Tuesday was Jacks birthday.I decided -for my sins as if I didn't have enough jobs to do- that I would invite a few old acquaintances over for supper to celebrate Jacks birthday. A few got to 20 plus. It was certainly a surprise as 4 hours before hand Jack didn't have a clue.It was all being got ready under his nose.I then started to lose things I had hiddena dn so I had to tell him.

I think he thought I was acting a bit strange but then that is quite normal so nothing seemed amiss. I am sure a good night was had by all.Best friends and old racing buddies came from far and wide -now he is planning his next one. All he said was "well I wanted to got to the White Swan really"-in Ampleforth- so we went tonight instead.Jack had their giant fish and chips which could pass as whale and chips and I had a chicken Caesar salad. Both were very good. Washed down with Pimms for me and red wine for his Lordship. I am not very good on icing cakes so it was the usual "snow" scene with 59 miniatures bottles of liqueur around it.

Happy Easter

What wonderful weather we are having.The animals are now enjoying being out in the fields. Late lambs and newly born calves are in the field next to the house. Birds are busy building their nests. With a little help of an electric mother -the incubator -these little ducklings have hatched out. Easter is very busy around here as lots of people go to Ampleforth Abbey for services.I have been busy in the garden as everything is springing into bud. The buddleia has been well cut back preparing for the summer when the butterflies are attracted to it. Happy Easter everyone and hope you enjoying your Easter eggs

My Mum and her cake ...

Well what could I do but bake a cake for my Mum,Ruby Lupton, for Mothers Day.She didn't want a card as she had kept the one I got her last year with cats on as she liked it so much At 86 she works really hard and is always cooking dinners for all the men folk on the farm.Proper rice puddings -none of this stuff out of tins. She will not have a dishwasher but she have an automatic washing machine.Long gone is the Peggy tub.She is always on the go and never seems to sit down. She gets togged up in the afternoons not in her best going out clothes but in her top coat and wellies to feed the cats and dogs and take the dogs for a walk.Doesn't matter what the weather is like she is out there.Here you see her cutting the cake I made at lunch time after we had had our Sunday lunch -roast beef and Yorkshire puddings of course. Below she is togged up in her warm outdoor clothes.When she was young she used to help her father who was a stone mason.She will tell you of all the old houses in the main street of Ampleforth she has been on the roofs of most of them. She will have carried things up a ladder on a hood on to the roofs when her father was repairing them. When she went to bed tonight I think there would be more in her bed than she bargained for. I sneaked up earlier and put 6 red pears,some comb honey ,a new flannel.some mint imperials and some liquorice sweets. So now she may be sat up in bed and having a midnight feast I doubt it but I know she will be on the phone first thing in the morning -"OH Anna..." and if she sat on the pears and they squashed I might get more than a thank you.