Nine Standards Rigg and two Cumbrian cheeses

Thursday and a stomp up to the top of Nine Standards Rigg. A fairly clear day and we could just about see most of the Lakes and right over to Middlesborough; the country is surprisingly thin up here. The Nine Standards themselves still bemuse me, but they're pretty cool and an excellent place to stop and have a chocolate Hobnob! Freddie obligingly sat on top of the trig point to prove that he had been there.

Then for two Cumbrian cheeses. The first, Inglewhite Goats Cheese. Made by Carron Lodge in Inglewhite. A very tasty goats cheese. Possibly one of the finest I have come across. A medium hard cheese, slightly sweet and a little nutty. A definite 'goat' aroma and all the better for it. If I had to rate it, probably a high 9 out of 10. One of those cheeses I know I'll be frustrated that it's hard to get hold of. Then the Kendal Crumbly. I've had this one before and knew I liked it, and pleasingly I wasn't disappointed. It's made from the milk of the cows at Low Sizergh Barn, so cheese with a story that means something to me. It is crumbly, as it's name suggests, and it has obvious connections with the less special Lancashire cheeses that you can buy in supermarkets, but with a far superior taste experience. Probably an 8 out of 10 for me personally, but a top quality cheese and one to recommend.

Garsdale Head in the summer

Where Better to start blogging than from Railway Cottages at Garsdale Head? I had forgotten how much I love this place and, having never been in the summer before, I had no idea how beautiful it was here in July. The sun is shining, the house is warm and there is no sound other than birds, sheep and the occasional passing train. Not far from perfect one might say. And now for the Cartmel sticky toffee pudding to top it all off! Thank you Chris and Alice for letting us borrow your house and this amazing slice of peace in the midst of a crazy life!

The idea for a blog? A varied and many splendoured record of life! From the film education that I have just embarked upon with the impressionable fourteen year old (whom we shall call Florence), to the progress charting of our soon-to-be-arriving puppy (and the already present and very special Border Terrier Freddie), to the various roamings we take in the wonderful Finbar, our VW campervan, to the cheese of the day, to the sound track in my mind, to the scarves I wear and the new ones I acquire. And very much more besides I'm very sure...

Today is the first of a few days away in Cumbria, staying in the aforementioned Railway Cottage at Garsdale Head, and we had the obligatory stop at Low Sizergh Barn just south of Kendal for lunch, a wander and to watch the cows being milked! It's the most brilliant and bizarre place where you can watch the cows being milked through a window in the tea room. And you can stroke the cows over a stable door. It's nice to see how happy the cows are, and there's something childishly exciting about seeing them being milked. And the farm shop sells cheese. Today I bought Kendal Crumbly, which comes from the cows on the farm, and a local goats cheese. Reviews to follow...

Enough for now, mustn't do all my musing in one sitting! Save to say I think I could quite enjoy writing this blog.