A day with The Dumfriesshire and Stewartry Hunt

After a successful  night lamping rabbits on the dumfriesshire hills, my mate Tom and i decided to support the local hunt who on this occasion set off from a farm just a few miles from the center of lockerbie.

After a generous donation from Tom we set off on foot to the top of the areas highest peak to watch this very traditional spectacle, we walked a good distance then jumped on quad bikes and even ended up leading the hunt masters horse back to the yard. Everyone we met was grateful for our help and support and without Frans damson gin { which was the only fuel we had all day } i don't think we would have made it to the end. After being split up for most of the day Tom and i got back to the farm yard at around six pm knackered but happy. We said our goodbyes and promised to return, If your not feeling the christmas cheer yet then arrange to follow a hunt for the day you soon will be. Ho Ho Ho

Peggy trying to stop rampant duck breeding

Hiking from Hathersage

This is one of many stops that you can visit in the Hope valley line and well worth staying on the train that extra few minutes to reach it. The train goes from Manchester Piccadilly and if you miss it you can jump on the Glossop train with the same ticket and use the same map  "OL1 " to plot a route .
Once in the town center you follow the road to the left past the butchers shop and then cross over, the first steep path on your right takes you to cloggers lane were the walk really starts.

The route is easy and Stanage edge is clear to see from the top of cloggers lane, after taking one of the well highlighted paths across the moors onto the edge you can follow footpath all along passing a few rock climbers along the way. When you get to Upper Burbage bridge a good route is to descend down into Chatsworth not forgetting to stop at the church to pay your respects to Robin Hoods chum little John who is buried there. The next visit for me to this beautiful village will be in the summer months so that i can take advantage of the outdoor swimming pool.

Thelastpenmon: Trying to decoy pigeons in Lancashire

Thelastpenmon: Trying to decoy pigeons in Lancashire

Trying to decoy pigeons in Lancashire

Carving at the Nam Ploy Bolton 2011

My review for the M.E.N out on friday 11th november

After being removed from the valley cinema { not for back seat shenanigans} for being late for the film, me and my friend decided to venture into Bolton, and find a more nutritional substitute for what would of been a popcorn dinner.

We had a random search on the old smart phone and came up with the Nam Ploy on Chorley old road, it was thursday mid evening and i started to worry as the car park was three quarters full, as we took just a few steps through the main entrance we were greeted by a very friendly oriental lady in traditional dress, who escorted us to a very decretive table for two.

The food served here is traditional Thai and they have pulled out all the stops to make you feel part of the countries culture, the  water fountains and elaborately carved furniture gives even the shyest first dates something to talk about.We ordered starter portions  of the six most popular dishes on the menu so that we could sample the fish,meat and veggie options, they arrived super quick with a vase like vessel of Thai beer , the presentation was amazing with giant king prawns on a bed of finely sliced mixed vegetables finished off with a tomato carved into a rose. We were made to feel welcome the whole two hours that we spent in the Nam Ploy and our only regret was that it wasn't the weekend. This is a very reasonably price establishment with a very affordable drinks menu and believe me we will be back.     

Life in the Love Garden

On my last visit to Dragor { a suburb of Copenhagen } i was lucky enough to arrive on a national danish holiday, i say lucky as the previous times, the museum near my friends house as been closed.
I say museum and most people say " boring " but this has a twist, all the outbuildings house goats,pigs,sheep,geese and poultry which are looked after by the people of the village, as well as the gardens were they grow over twenty different vegetables and herbs, but this is no petting zoo as everything at the end of the year is eaten { apart from breeding stock of coarse }. Not only does this show people were there food comes from it promotes good husbandry too.

When i ventured inside it felt as if i had gone back in time, all the volunteering staff were dressed in authentic costumes and were actually working, two men where pressing apples, a lady was baking and another was cooking pork from last years pigs. The museum also has its own gallery with paintings from the 17th century and a fantastic farm shop with preserves that i had never heard of like sweet green tomatoes in a clove syrup. I hope you enjoy the pictures but even better get down there and enjoy the experience.