Sue Bulmer - Author

whitburn sunsets and sunrises

2011-11-14T17:35:00.018Z

spectacular sunsets and sunrises over Whitburn 2011

" BEAUTIFUL"

Amber and Jetty

2011-09-28T20:20:00.006+01:00

This has been a very sad day for me. I learnt last night that my lovely goats had gone to another farm, Carly and Clary (the cows)have also gone, Dorothy and Ivy pigs will soon suffer the same fate. I can only hope and pray that they have gone to a better home and will be happy.

Error of judgement

2011-05-27T13:36:00.007+01:00

DAISY'S ERROR OF JUDGEMENT

It has to be said, Daisy does not like water. She will go out of her way to avoid the smallest puddle.

This morning I took the girls for our usual walk along the beach. I unfastened their leads,with bated breath they waited for the command to Go! after which Daisy shot off like a bat out of hell. She ran so fast she was unable to stop at what looked like a shallow puddle. In an instance she was gone.

The puddle was at least 3 ft deep.

Poor Daisy!!!!

Stranded Seal

2011-04-26T16:45:00.007+01:00

STRANDED SEAL

I'm told that this happens quite a lot at this time of the year. My grandson and I were walking along Roker beach with the dogs when we noticed several police men and women standing in a circle on the beach. We were told that a seal had become stranded and they were protecting it until the RSPCA arrived to coax it back into the sea.

As time passed several more police men arrived, in all 5 constables to watch over one seal.

That old saying came to mind, "there is never one when you need it then 5 come along at the same time"!!!

One hour later the young seal had lolloped up the beach and back into the sea.

Rather him than me.

2011-03-26T10:40:00.008Z

SURFING ON ROKER BEACH

Took the girls for a walk to Roker pier this morning. The sea was so rough, I felt slightly afraid walking so close to the railings.

It was quite spooky, the sea for most of the time was wild and squally, the waves were so tall, dark and threatening. Yet, after each violent onslaught came a certain calm, almost tranquil.

As we rounded the corner at the Cat and Dog steps I spotted two fishermen who seemed rooted to the spot.

In the distance I could see, what I first thought to be a person attempting suicide, walking into the sea. Quickening my pace I soon discovered to my relief it was a surfer on his way to catch a few waves. Rather him than me.

Roker Pier and Lighthouse

2011-03-19T09:11:00.004Z

ROKER PIER AND LIGHTHOUSE

Took a long walk this morning at 6.30am along the promenade to Roker Lighthouse.

Work began on the pier in 1885, the final blocks were laid in 1902.

In 1903 the Earl of Durham officially opened the pier to the public.

The end of the pier is a favourite for fishermen, their main catch is

cod.

SUNRISE AT WHITBURN

2011-03-13T10:27:00.008Z

SUNRISE IN WHITBURN

On February 14th I moved away from my idyllic life on the north york moors to my new home

by the sea in Whitburn..

Every morning at 6 30 am Daisy, Bluebelle and I walk the mile long beach in virtual seclusion. All I can hear is the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the seagulls calling above

my head.

The wind some days is so fierce that I have a struggle to stay upright.

I am treated every day to the most spectacular sunrises easily rivaling the beautiful sunsets I was lucky enough to witness in the valley at Scugdale.

Cauldron Snout

2010-10-13T11:40:00.009+01:00

CAULDRON SNOUT

Today October 10th we attempted to walk to Cauldron Snout waterfall which can be found on the edge of Cow Green Reservoir in Upper Teesdale.

From the small car park at Langdon Beck on the B6277 we set off with the dogs hoping to reach the falls in 2 hours.

After walking roughly 1 mile downhill we reached the River Tees. Past Widdybank farm which is conserved by Natural England and where you will find a much welcomed public toilet.

The trail along the side of the river is extremely precarious and much care needs to be taken that you don't lose your footing.

We ventured on for about an hour hoping to espy the waterfall around each corner,when it became apparent that we were nowhere near and the trail had totally dropped away making it impossible to continue on safely we decided,reluctantly to turn around.

The day didn't prove to be a total waste of time,the views were absolutely stunning,

We are making plans to go to the waterfall by a completely different route.

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/

Scugdales' secret Waterfall

2010-10-12T13:08:00.009+01:00

SCUGDALE'S SECRET WATERFALL

Last week we attempted to find Scugdales very own waterfall. Naturally we chose the worst day to go. We battled through head high bracken, stumbled over rocks and dying heather bushes. Crawled under the branches of a firtree wood only to find our way blocked by a tall dry stone wall beyond which were many potentially dangerous disused mine quarries. We decided to abort the mission when the mist descended and the heavens opened, treating us to the heaviest downpour of the year.
Not to be beaten, this weekend we decided to try again only this time we did some research into the easiest route to the concealed waterfall. In contrast to last week the weather was beautiful. We set off at lunchtime with Daisy and Bluebelle (the dogs) feeling fairly confident that we would reach the waterfall in under an hour.

Past Raikes farm,up the hill to Scugdale Hall. Look out for the beautiful Fly Agaric fungi, it grows on the edge of the wood. Pleases don't be tempted to touch it as its deadly poisonous. From Scugdale Hall we took the first left hand path towards the top of the hill. Half way up we turned right onto a rough track used by off road cars and bikes. At the top we went through a farm gate, continued on for a couple of hundred yards when we turned right. From here the road is fairly well maintained being part of the Cleveland way, the views are truly spectacular.

We walked about half a mile before we took a right turn across the moor, the path soon drops away as we headed for the fall which is still hidden from view but is situated between the huge crevice in the distance.
We stayed above the large rock formation, it has to be said from here on this walk is not for the faint hearted. We hacked our way through bracken, jumped over heather and bilberry bushes,
waded through bogs risking life and limb all in order to see the covert Scugdale falls.

Half an hour later we reached our destination, not quite High Force but an amazing sight all the same. Good luck to all those who venture to find our little known treasure.

TRISH my little chick

2010-10-03T16:12:00.004+01:00

TRISH the chick

Trish was a little chick brought up by a surrogate mother Snowy a Silkie hen. She was the only one of four eggs to hatch. Snowy was a wonderful mother seeing off any aggressive hens and geese. I worried about Trish being attacked by the turkeys so I chose to segregate them in their own pen. Trish would follow her mum everywhere, when she heard me coming in the morning she would squeak loudly until I threw her a handful of food.

She was such a character, I laughed when I saw her peeping out from under her mums wing and the time she took her first dust bath.

She was 1 month old almost ready to be let loose with all the other birds. I went to see her yesterday morning, no squeaking to be heard, no sign of her. Snowy followed me round and round the enclosure looking for her, I couldn't believe I had lost her to another RAT. I cried and I cried.

PEACHICK "JO"

2010-10-03T11:39:00.005+01:00

PEA CHICK, JO

After spending 5 days out in the open Belle finally brought her brood into the compound where she settled down into the comparative safety of the cow byre.

Amber and Jetty our Anglo Nubian goats moved over to let them in. I was so pleased that they were inside at last,my only worry now was that they might get trampled on by the goats.

Come the morning Belle emerged minus 2 yellow pea chicks. No sign of them,no feathers or evidence of a struggle. I assumed that a rat must have taken them during the night.

The following night Belle chose to sleep in the hen coop which was much drier and safer.

September 24th, it poured with rain everywhere is muddy and boggy, it has to be said Belle is not a very good mother. Several times I caught her leaving her chicks to fend for themselves. At one point she left all three in a completely different enclosure, I had to physically pick the two brown ones up to reunite them with their mother, unfortunately the little yellow one was so exhausted she couldn't move she had also been injured by one of the hens. I tried to unite her with her mum but mum had given up on her poorly chick and paid her no attention at all.

It was now up to me to care for her.

I held her tightly in my hands to keep her warm,gradually she began to respond,opening her beak for water. I managed to get water into her via a syringe, I mashed some chick pellets in a bowl which I'm pleased to say she devoured.

Much as I was beginning to love my little pea chick she was taking up a lot of my time. I found that I wasn't able to put her down, she liked nothing better than to sit on my shoulder and hide under my hair, her favourite place was cupped in my hands where she would fall asleep.

By the evening she had perked up no end, running and jumping around the floor. I began to worry when she refused to eat and the injury on her side seemed no better. All I could do was to make her cosy in a shoe box and pray she would survive, I called her Jo not knowing for sure if she was male of female.

Alas my prayers were not answered, in the morning she was gone. I cried and cried.

The following day the remaining two chicks were also taken, we presume by RATS.

At Last "Peachicks"

2010-10-03T10:13:00.007+01:00

PEACHICKS

Following 3 failed attempts to hatch and rear her babies, Belle and Blueboy have finally made it.

Previous attempts have proved unsuccessful due to the unexplained disappearance of her eggs.

She has been sitting on 5 fairly large speckled eggs for several weeks now hidden very cleverly under a bramble bush, in fact I only found her because Blueboy had dropped several of his tail feathers at the entrance to the nest. I resisted the urge to spy on her and take her a few morsels to eat just in case it was I who brought about the downfall of the previous batches by alerting predators to the food.

One morning,out of the blue I spied her walking up the hill,Blueboy was actually running down the hill to meet her. To my surprise I saw that she had 5 of the cutest peachicks racing after her,3 yellow and 2 light brown. At last they have made it safely into the world. Sadly their arrival was to be short lived.

Wagtails

2010-09-29T14:37:00.006+01:00

WAGTAILS

A wagtail built her nest in a crevice on the side of the cow byre door.

She laid 5 eggs, all of which hatched successfully. Everyday I checked on their progress all the time hoping Purjo, the cat, wouldn't find them.

4 weeks on I watched as each one flew the nest. Magic!

swallows

2010-09-20T15:18:00.009+01:00

SWALLOW CHICKS

This years swallows, where do I start.
They chose to make their nest in the pig pen of all places. High on the back wall,made with a mixture of mud, twigs and feathers, a real work of art. I found their nest whilst checking up on the pigs, Dorothy and Ivy.5 eggs had been laid. I kept a vigilant eye on them for fear that the pigs might dislodge the nest. When I noticed several weeks later an army of swallows swooping in and out of the hut I realized the eggs must of hatched.

Everything was going well until one fateful day when I routinely checked up on them to find the nest had fallen to the ground. Still in fairly good condition I scooped up the 3 chicks which had survived the fall and carefully placed them back in the nest.As quickly as I could I found some string,hammer and nails,wasting no time I secured the nest back on the wall in the same position as before. It looked a bit strange but at least they were safe.
I then retreated far enough away as not to frighten the adult swallows, to wait and watch hoping they would return to feed the chicks.Within 30 minutes they did just that. Several weeks later the chicks were ready to fly away to join the other birds.
One week later I couldn't believe my eyes when they laid a second batch of eggs, This time the pigs had moved to their winter home so there was no danger of them dislodging the nest which was still being held up with string.
Two weeks after the eggs hatched the same scenario happened.The nest fell away from the wall.
This time it had disintegrated, what was I to do. Only 3 had survived the fall. I made a nest out of straw in the corner of the hut, again hoping the mums wouldn't abandon them.

Thankfully they continued to feed the chicks.This story has a wonderful ending because I watched in amazement as they took flight, maybe a little earlier than they should have. They soared above me flapping their tiny wings trying to keep up with the older birds.
I assumed that when they flew off that they would be able to fend for themselves but that was not the case. The babies all congregated on top of the sky aerial and were still being fed by mum up to 2 weeks after they flew the nest. I am happy to say they have all flown away(17th September). I hope they survive the long journey that is ahead of them.

This is a picture of the chicks being fed on top of the aerial

13 Ducklings

2010-09-20T14:59:00.013+01:00

DUCKLINGS

Two weeks after Donald was re-homed there was still no sign of our two white ducks Thelma and Louise.Every now and then one or the other would appear at dinner time, have a swim on the pond then disappear again for a day. Gradually, as they began to realize that Donald was no longer around to persecute them ,they stayed a little longer but still preferring to stay out at night.

That is until July 22nd. I was about to feed the flock when I noticed Thelma waddling up the hill to home, hoping for some food, I thought. On closer inspection I saw a long trail of fluffy ducklings frantically trying to keep up. 9 in all,beautiful ducklings, some yellow some brown and black with yellow chests.I couldn't believe it, so that's why she had stayed away.
For the first few days I decided to feed the troupe separately for fear they would be bullied by the rest of the birds. Gradually she began to introduce them to the other ducks and eventually to the geese and turkeys. This proved to be a risky business as the bigger birds don't take kindly to babies of any form.Thelma is a feisty mother who would defend her ducklings to the death,soon she was able to come and go as she pleased but still preferring to sleep by the pond at night.

Two weeks later 4th August, I opened the gate to let Thelma and her family into the paddock, I was distracted by the sight of what I thought to be Thelma with only 5, what appeared to be smaller ducklings, it took me a while to register that it wasn't Thelma but Louise. She too had returned with a brood of 5 little ducklings, Donald had been busy!

Unfortunately as in any family tragedy did strike, we lost 1 of Thelma's to a rat and 4 of Louise's during a storm when they were washed away down stream. The remaining 8 are alive and well giving me an enormous amount of pleasure. I'm not looking forward to the day when the boys will have to join their father on the river in Swainby.

This is Cedes, Louise's last remaining duckling.

Donald's Demise

2010-09-20T14:11:00.007+01:00

DONALDS DEMISE

He had to go!

Donald was a much loved member of Holiday House Farm,he had been with us from the beginning. I remember the day I found him sitting dazed and badly injured in the middle of the paddock,surrounded by 8 female Khaki Cambell ducklings.Unable to move I picked him up and took him to the safety of the cow byer where he could rest and recover. His beak was so badly injured that he was unable to eat by himself. I noticed that he was able to suck water through his twisted beak so I had the idea to add some pellet food to the water. Low and behold it worked. Very soon he gained strength, his beak straightened and he was eager to be released,ready to join the 8 waiting girlfriends.

On the day of release I opened the door and waited full of anxiety as to what his reaction would be. He exchanged a few quacks, nodded his head up and down then he led the girls up to the pond for a much needed swim.

For 3 years he has enjoyed the freedom of the farm and the undivided attention of our girls.

Unfortunately due to his over amorous attention he began to drive the girls away,tormenting so much that they no longer wanted to return to the farm.

As our flock began to diminish we replaced the missing ducks with 2 white ducks. All went well for a few weeks. When the new additions failed to come home we decided, enough was enough, HE HAD TO GO.

Reluctantly I gave permission for him to be re-homed on the river in Swainby. He would have lots of girls to amuse himself with and we could see him every time we drove into the village.

Peace has been restored once more

Gallery: I was a Co-op Divi girl! - East Anglian Daily Times

2010-04-07T11:44:00.000+01:00

Gallery: I was a Co-op Divi girl! - East Anglian Daily Times

Clary and Carly in the snow.

2010-01-03T11:22:00.005Z

After several months couped up in the cow byre we released Clary our Dexter cow and her red calf Carly out into the paddock. They both raced up and down the field, leaping about like a couple of spring lambs. Carly came face to face with Jetty and Amber our two Anglo Nubian goats. The goats gave her a friendly head butt after which she moved on to investigate the geese and Rory the turkey. I worried needlessly about how to get them back in the byre, when they were fed up they wandered back all by themselves.

We had one fatality due to the freezing weather conditions. Floosey, our inherited Peacock lay dead in the snow. We had no way of telling how old she was. I'm hoping she did die of old age and not the cold. Roll on the Spring.

Darlington & Stocton article Dec 09

2009-12-17T14:47:00.010Z

I was very pleased with the article that appeared in Friday's addition of the Darlington & Stocton. Mike Bridgen really did me proud. Full coverage was given to my new book Sue Who? and to my life here on the farm.

Tracing a chaotic journey from big city glamour to rural tranquility

Mike Bridgen meets a former model who has written a book based on her colourful life experiences.

SUE Bulmer was excited when she landed her first job as a model at the Motor Show.

She pictured herself draped across the bonnet of a Lamborghini-but instead found herself inside a Michelin man suit!

She lost a stone in weight, but earned good pay which all helped towards her getting out of an abusive marriage.

Since then she has experienced a life of extremes-from a failed marriage to an Olympic double medallist,to friendship with a cheeky villian which ended abruptly when he was shot dead on his doorstep.

She also founded a successful business which exported her craft to Canada and Hong kong, but had to give it up and was forced to live on income support.

She said"My story reads like Jackie Collins, Lynda la Plante and Mills and Boone novels all rolled into one."

Now,Sue Who? her debut novel based on her life experiences, has just been published.

Today a grandmother, she is completely happy living with her fourth husband in a secluded old farmhouse nestling in the hills behind Swainby on the edge of the North York Moors.

To see her feeding her beloved collection of fowl,pigs and sheep, one would never imagine the journey that led her there.

Brought up in a squat in the East End of London, she met her first husband when she was just 15. They married when she was 19 and had a daughter together.

They were married in the 1960's, but she found herself in an abusive relationship.

She landed the promotional modelling job to earn enough to escape with her daughter.

She said "I worked at exhibitions like the Motor Show and Ideal Home and I was also one of the original Co-op Divi girls.

We would go to store openings and met lots of celebrities like Dick Emery,Sir Terry Wogan and Morecambe and Wise."

Divorced from her first husband, she then met her second-a double Olympic medallist.

The title of her novel, in which she changed all the identities of the people involved, came from a newspaper headline from their marriage.

They planned a quiet ceremony at Hackney register office, but the story and pictures appeared in all the national papers.

One reporter conracted her husband's 91 year old mother, who had been told not to say anything.Sue who? was her response, which appeared as the main headline.

The couple had two sons and spent 13 happy years together.mixing with sports celebrities like George Best, James Hunt and Daley Thompson.

When her husband gave up sport, they bought a pub, but he became bored and accepted an invitation for a post with the RHKJK.

The family moved there, but he had an affair with a chinese girl and Sue's life fell apart. She returned to England with her three children.

Needing an income, she remembered the exotic flowers she had picked and pressed in Hong Kong and a woman who ran a picture framing business.

"I thought if I did that I could work from home, soe I went to framing classes and did a business studies course" she said.

From there she designed pictures using seeds and herbs and taught herself calligraphy.

They were a huge success and she branched out into pressing wedding bouquets.

Her business took off and she was exporting to Canada and Hong Kong.

She married a third time, but said it was a rebound romance which never should have happened.When it ended, she found herself with no home and had to end her business and live on income support.

But, as resiliant as ever,and aged 50, she became a health care assistant in a BUPA hospital, where she gained 2 NVQ level 3 qualifications and graduated at the age of 55.

It was then that she met Richard, who was the divorced father of a friend of one of her sons.

They hit it off straight away and, five years ago moved from London to start their new life together in North Yorkshire.

They found their farmhouse on the internet and now have 6 acres of land and a menagerie of hens,ducks,geese turleys and guinea fowl. They have 11 sheep,2 goats, a Dexter cow and calf,and 2 pigs called Dorothy and Ivy, after their mothers.

She also works as a health carer for Herriot Hospice Homecare, which has its base in Northallerton. It provides free help for people at home who are within the last six weeks of life.

She originally wrote her story for her children, but was persuaded to publish. I hope it is an inspiration to women who are going through a divorce or breakup, I wanted to get across that, as bad as it gets, you can pick yourself up and move on with your life.

SUE WHO? is available from bookshops.

It can be ordered from the Author at sue.bulmer@yahoo.co.uk or from

mailto:concrafts@onebillnet.co.uk%20or concrafts@surfree.co.uk

ISBN;978-1-906905-08-8

Fungi hysteria

2009-12-11T16:30:00.005Z

I watched in amazement as a group of walkers gathered around my pond all snapping away eagerly at what they thought was a very rare mushroom, voices were reaching fever pitch as one photographer declared " I have never seen anything like it before, I'll have to look it up in my book when I get home, we'll be back soon"

I didn't have the heart to tell them that what they were looking at was an upturned, floating Lily candle which the ducks had turfed off the pond several months ago.

Hartlepool Headland

2009-12-09T21:27:00.009Z

Today Ric and I went to see Ian Hewetson, my printer. concrafts@surfree.co.uk . Our meeting was very constructive, we ironed out a few wrinkles and came away feeling a lot more positive regarding my book Sue Who?

We decided to take a walk along the sea front to North Sands with Daisy and Bluebelle our Bedlington terriers. The tide was coming in, the beach was deserted. We caught sight of an old man bobbing up and down in amongst the rocks. The dogs naturally wanted to meet him. He had three large bags full to the brim with what I thought was either mussels or cockles. Walking over to him I called out to enquire what he was collecting. It wasn't mussels or cockles it was Coal. His bags were full of big lumps of coal washed up onto the beach by the tide. Remnants of the mining industry all those years ago.

After a brief chat about the history of the area our man asked if we would like to see an Octopus. He had found a small one trapped in a rock pool, hiding until the tide could carry it out to sea again. He picked it up and dropped it on the rock for us to see, when the dogs began nipping at the tentacles it was time to put it back in the water.

We sat in the car eating fish and chips looking out to sea, parked in the exact spot where the first soldier was killed on British soil by enemy action in the Great War 1914-1918 and where the first shell from the leading German battle cruiser struck at 8.10 am on the 16th December 1914.

Our day was rounded off by my first trip on the Transporter Bridge.

Washington Wildfowl Centre.

2009-12-09T20:57:00.007Z

We definitely chose the wrong day to walk around a wild life centre, it was pouring with rain. I wasn't surprised to see that we were practically the only visitors that day.After a quick tour of the indoor craft market and a nice cuppa in the tea room looking out over a lake, home to a multitude of water fowl. Incidentally the tea room was very welcoming, providing a tempting array of home made cakes and savouries.

The weather showed no sign of abating so we decided to brave the elements and venture outside. We were not disappointed.

The birds roamed the wetland unrestricted, we were able to feed them and photograph them at close range. Birds such as the Grey lag Geese,Cranes, beautiful Mandarin ducks and Flamingos. My favourite was the Black Swan with her three tiny signets.

Despite the weather we had an amazing time, definitely worth a second visit.

Book Launch

2009-11-09T14:26:00.006Z

The launch of my debut novel Sue Who? on Friday 6th November was a huge success. The Black Horse in Swainby was packed with friends, neighbours and strangers all there to wish me well and to buy a signed copy of the book. I have to thank the publicans Darren and Marie for making all the arrangements and laying on a beautiful spread. Thanks also to Ellen Dean author of Beautiful Strangers for making the long journey with Gloria and her niece Amy. Ellen has been invaluable to me, giving help and advice when desperately needed. Thanks also to John Riddle, my publisher and to Richard for working so hard to make to evening go smoothly. The night was rounded off by the appearance of Elvis! Mark, alias Elvis did a great job. He provided a perfect end to a perfect evening.

BBC TEES RADIO.

2009-11-09T14:14:00.004Z

Last Monday I was asked to give an interview about my new book Sue Who? which was published on November 6th. I arrived at the BBC TEES studio in Middlesborough at 11am. At 11 30 I was seated in front of Neil Greene and Diane Youdale who were absolutely charming and managed to put me at my ease straight away. After a slightly shaky start there was no stopping me I didn't want the interview to end, I had so much I wanted to say. I hope to repeat the experience again very soon.

The James Cook University Hospital

2009-10-22T11:49:00.002+01:00

I was greeted by a rather jolly receptionist who directed me to a seat in the waiting room.
"I'll let them know you are here" she said. I was early. Rain was lashing at the window it was a really gloomy day. One by one the seats began to fill up. People smiling, shaking hands some helping themselves to the complimentary tea and coffee.
The couple opposite began to talk to each other "How are you today, its nice to see you again" "not too bad, haven't got much longer, one more session to go" came the reply. An elderly gentleman joined in with the friendly banter, occasionally as someone went out of the building the receptionist would enquire "see you tomorrow". without a backward glance but with a smile on their face came the reply, "no you wont, I've finished"
I picked up a magazine pretending to read, I watched with sadness and humility, ordinary people getting on with their lives. The receptionist called out my name, I could barely hear her over the excited chatter. She directed me to where I would meet my tutor for the day. I was on a Radiotherapy course. I was there to see how Radiotherapy works and to get a guided tour of the department. I left my new friends in the waiting room, they were not on a course, they were there for treatment. My thoughts were, There but for the grace of God go I.

Sue Who?

2009-10-12T12:25:00.004+01:00

Sue who?

ISBN978-1-906905-08-8

This is my debut novel based on my facinating life story so far. My book is due to be published on November 1st by Cormorant Publishing.The book can be obtained at all good book shops or on line through Amazon etc. Why not come and join me at the book launch being held at

The Black Horse Pub,Swainby, North Yorkshire, at 8pm.

The Great North Run

2009-09-23T15:15:00.014+01:00

20th September 2009

We were up bright and early preparing for the long day ahead. A perfect day for running the sun was shining, not too hot, a cool breeze in the air.

Trisha, my daughter in law was running in The Great North Run for the first time. 13.1 miles from Newcastle to South Shields hoping to raise lots of money for her chosen charity, Breast Cancer.

Sting fired the gun to signify the start of the race assisted by Steve Harmison the England and Durham cricketer.

Ric, myself and Callum (our grandson) pushed Dorothy(my mother in law) in her wheelchair to a safe viewing spot on the roadside.

We were standing about 2 miles from the finish line, on the brow of the hill, the spot where all the 54,000 runners got their first sight of the sea, knowing they had just 2 miles to go.

On the opposite side of the road was the official cheering post for the Parkinsons Disease Society.

They sang and generally made lots of noise encouraging the runners as they raced by. Every so often someone would shout Ogie Ogie Ogie to which the runners yelled back in chorus Oi Oi Oi. It bought a smile to everyone's face and a tear to the eye.It was an incredibly humbling experience watching thousands of people young and old, some with disabilities, amputees, blind runners tethered to sighted runners. People dressed in fancy costumes others in costumes so heavy you wondered how on earth they managed to keep going.

People from all walks of life running for a single cause,to raise money for their favourite charity. Some running in memory of a loved one others simply wanting to support those less fortunate than themselves

The only celebrity I managed to spot was Nell McAndrews dressed in her pretty pink outfit, I was hoping to catch sight of Phillipa Thompson our own weather girl on Tyne Tees television, but it was impossible to distinguish one exhausted runner from another

The best moment of the day for me was when Callum called out "There's mum". I had a tremendous feeling of pride as my daughter in law ran past, smiling and waving, knowing that she was taking part in this wonderfully emotive event.

Boltby Scar Iron Age Fort

2009-09-17T09:24:00.018+01:00

In an attempt to combine a day of historical culture with a nice long walk Ric and I enrolled upon a guide walk to view the Archaeological exploration of an Iron Age Fort at Boltby Scar.The tour began at Sutton Bank National Park Centre in North Yorkshire.

On our arrival we were greeted by the aroma of pork roasting on an open spit. A Scottish lady dressed in a long black robe was giving a demonstration on how women in the Iron age managed to cook their food. Whilst turning her spit she took time out to collect some heather to throw on the fire creating a cloud of billowing smoke under the iron cooking pot.

We were met by Mark our National parks guide and David a volunteer ranger. They were to accompany us on our two mile walk to the Archaeological site. We were joined by a family of four, the youngest aged around two being pushed in a buggy. Mum assured me that the buggy was up to the rough terrain, the route had been recommended in a book which catered solely for buggy and wheelchair users.

We set off past the face painting stall, leaving behind us the glorious smell of pork crackling on the spit.

From the top of Sutton Bank one has a vast panoramic view of not only the Vale of York but also the Vale of Mowbray, the Pennines, Yorkshire Dales and the South Durham Hills. The view is spectacular.

To your left is Hood Hill. It stands out proudly against the skyline. Apparently the first monks of Byland Abbey settled there whilst they were looking for a site to build their monastery. Many years earlier before the monks arrived it was said to be the site used for offering up human sacrifices. We walked along Sutton Brow and through Garbutt wood. As you emerge from the woods you are met with the impressive sight of the White Stone cliffs. Sheer drops hundreds of feet below. At the bottom of the cliffs lies one of Yorkshires hidden gems, Gormire Lake.

The lake itself is steeped in mystery, myths and legends. Many tales have been told about its fruition.

It has no inlet or outlet so how did it get there?

Some believe the lake is bottomless, beneath the water lies a complete village including its own church with a spire. Another tale tells of the devil leaping from the top of the bank, crashing through the earth creating the large hole which has formed the lake. My favourite legend is of a young girl on a white mare jumping from the top of the cliffs to her death. Her remains were never found but to this day the cliffs are called White Mare Crag.

In truth the lake is quite shallow probably fed by an underground spring. It is believed to be a glacial lake formed by a landslide which dammed at one side creating the hole which then filled with water..

The lake is accessible only by foot down a fairly steep track. Should you choose to swim in its crystal clear waters you would share the pleasure with a variety of water fowl, coots, great grebes and the occasional mallard.

Moving on from the breathtaking view of the cliffs and lake we walked on through South Wood before reaching our destination.

We were met by two Archaeologists, Dominic Powlesland and Gi Gi Signorelli.

Gi Gi was our guide for the afternoon. With his Italian accent and broken English he told us how in 1961 the farmer had devastated the site by bulldozing the land to plant crops. Thereby burying the historic remains.

Hampered by our English weather the Archaeologists and their team of volunteers had uncovered what appears to be the entrance to the fort.As we all stood on top of one of the burial mounds within the fort Gi Gi told us that the mounds had been robbed of their treasures many years ago. It was at this point that Daisy and Bluebelle suddenly became interested in the walk. Sniffing and scratching at the soil hoping to dig up a bone or two. Two burial mounds or Barrows as they are called can clearly be seen in a neighbouring field.

Gi Gi , dressed in his yellow high vis jacket and his flowerpot hat was an excellent guide, explaining their work to us as best he could in layman's terms so that even I as a novice could understand the importance of what they had uncovered.

One of Yorkshires hidden treasures

2009-09-07T16:08:00.011+01:00

The weather was quite overcast but both of us fancied a nice long walk. Ric wanted to take me to a place he had come across whilst out walking with his daughter Mary.

We took the side road from our house through boggy farm land to Harfa Bank Farm. From there we made our way up the hillside via a rough track which was very steep and stony. At the top of Far Moor the views are spectacular.

We made a right turn onto Stony Ridge, thankfully there is a man made road linking all the grouse shooting butts.. About half a mile along the road we took a left turn. There are no sign posts , no indication of what lies ahead.

Walk a quarter of a mile further on and you suddenly come across a deep valley carved out of the moor. The sides of the valley are dotted with massive pale grey stones randomly strewn about , the ground is covered with lavender coloured heather.

As you turn the corner you are met with a small lake known as a Dew Pond, this is "Holy Well "(spring).

The water glistened in the sunlight there was a wonderful feeling of serenity and stillness, the sight of the pond almost took my breath away.

Ric, myself and the dogs scrambled down the narrow track to reach the waters edge. To our delight the bilberries were out in abundance, we filled our basket before it was time to make our way back home.

The weather by now was threatening rain, we had a good 3 miles to go before we reached home in Scugdale. We retraced our steps back up the track, past the shooting lodge and back along the road to home.

The dogs had a great time leaping in and out of the clumps of heather trying to catch the illusive grouse, much to their annoyance and my relief they were always too late

We were now crossing Whorlton Moor, wild and windy. Ric suddenly announced that he knew exactly where we were and we should go Left across the moor. Trusting my husbands navigation skills (after all he was a boy scout) I followed.

Knee deep in heather, bilberry bushes moss and peat we squelched along for half a mile, no sign of the landmark fence we were searching for..We wandered blindly across to Cow Kill Nab and Robinsons Intake.

Stopping for a breather was came across the remains of an ancient stone wall, periodically interrupted by huge historical gate posts each one baring unusual marking, holes and grooves.

Then came the cry "I think I have made a huge error Darling" we were lost.

The light was beginning to fade, we trudged on, I ,fearing I would be sucked under the boggy peat began to be afraid.

Pretty soon we began to recognise some of the farms below , at least we were heading in the right direction.

Eureka! we spotted the fence which was to lead us down the hill to home.

Unfortunately my ordeal was not yet over. The fence is mearly a guideline, the decent requires you to hang on to the fence for support all the way down. The gradient is 1 in 2, slippery, rocky uneven terrain, coupled with Bracken 8ft high.

What a huge relief I felt when we finally reached Bulmers field, a little shaken, covered in mud and little sprigs of heather poking out of every orifice, nothing a good soak in the bath couldn't put right.

In retrospect it had all been worth while,we had seen one of North Yorkshires little gems.

Clary and her new Calf

2009-09-04T17:23:00.006+01:00

Today 4th of September at 8am Clary gave birth to her little calf.

First sign she was about to appear was the elimination of the water sack. She was very agitated, mooing gently and walking around in circles. After about 15 minutes she lay down in the corner of her shelter. Two little hooves appeared then 10 minutes later the calf's nose. Her nostrils flared as she took her first breath. I felt like cheering but I managed to restrain myself. We watched mesmerised as she slowly pushed her calf out onto the hay.

Straight away Clary began to lick her baby, Ric was on hand to move the calf away from the fence. I have to say Clary was looking very pleased with herself. She mooed really loudly! The calf took a long time to get to her feet but get to them she did. Worried that she wasn't suckling straight away we made an executive decision to put Clary and her calf back into the cow buyer where she would be warm and dry also she would have a solid base to stand on. The calf had to be coaxed to suck Clary's teats. After about 1 hour she finally latched on and suckled to her hearts content. Mother and baby (unnamed as yet) are both well

A Slight Blip in the Weather Forcast.

2009-09-01T07:24:00.009+01:00

"OK" says Ric "the weather forecast is for rain, a drop in temperature and overcast.

I know it's Bank Holiday Monday but I think we should go to Saltburn, let the dogs have a run on the empty beach, have fish and chips in our favourite fish shop then home.

Great!.

Ric put on his thick Irish rugby shirt, jeans and walking boots. I dressed in my heavy sweat shirt, coat, jeans and long riding boots. Ready for whatever the English weather had to throw at us.

True! it was overcast when we left home. Not so when we arrived at Saltburn.

The place was heaving with holiday makers. The sun blistering hot, people everywhere dressed in their summer clothes, shorts, flimsy tee shirts, and flip flops. I was almost too afraid to step from the car. Trying to hide my embarrassment I slipped into to shade on the end of the long queue for fish and chips. Feeling like a tourist I devoured my delicious meal. By this time I was beginning to melt, my thick walking socks were making my feet pulsate and swell.

A walk along the pier gave the only respite from the searing hot sun. The beach was packed with holiday maker sunbathing, children making sand castles.

The sea was full of swimmers, surfers in their wet suits laying on their boards waiting for the next big wave. Jet skiers racing up and down jumping the waves landing with an almighty splash.

By 2pm the heat was too much to bare. We decided to call it a day but not before calling in at Ormesby Hall near Redcar for afternoon tea and homemade scones spread thickly with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Yum!

Not quite the day we had planned but a good one all the same.

The moral of this story is, Trust your instincts and don't rely on the Weather Forecast.

Pond Restoration

2009-08-28T16:13:00.004+01:00

After the landslide the pond was in need of some urgent attention.

Mary's pond, aptly named because she was instrumental in its fruition 4 years ago was now several inches deep in silt and mud.

On her weekend visit up from London Mary was eager to don her fathers waders and assist in the excavation of the pond (once again)

Several hours and a sore back later the pond had been restored to its former glory.

morning walk

2009-08-27T15:34:00.006+01:00

Tuesday morning. It was a beautiful day. The sun was just rising, the dew on the grass was glistening like silver bells waiting to chime in the day.

Lets go for a walk up to Bulmers Field. Daisy and Bluebelle's ears pricked up at the mention of the "W" word.

As we set off we heard a faint Meow!, Purjo the farm cat decided he wanted to come too. He often comes down the lane with me and the dogs to collect the post but this was new territory for him.

The view from Bulmers field was glorious. There are not many places in Yorkshire that can boast a better one, especially at this time of year when the Rowan Trees are heavily laden with bunches of blood red berries. Our little corner of heaven.

Clary (the cow) on the move.

2009-08-27T15:07:00.009+01:00

Clary, On The Move

We made up our minds, Clary needed to be out in the open eating grass and feeling the sun on her back.

Ric managed, with the help of cow cake, to put on the halter.

Clary was beside herself. The mere sight of grass and freedom was too much for her. She struggled to escape but Ric held on, fear was etched on his face as she tried to pull away.

After successfully steering her towards the pig pen Ric was able to stop for a moment to pose for a photo shoot. Two seconds later they were off again, skimming past the bank of nettles Ric held on as she surged forward towards her new home.

Happily we all made it in one piece, Clary was in 7th heaven, she hadn't seen so much grass in weeks. We left her to settle and make friends with Daisy and Bluebelle. 4 rich tea biscuits later

she was again eating out of our hands.

Sue Who? Front and Back covers.

2009-08-27T12:32:00.005+01:00

The cover for my Autobiography SUE WHO? is finally complete. Both front and back designs have gone to the printer,no going back now.

The front cover is a masterpiece in design, the jigsaw effect is perfect. Pieces of the puzzle have been strategically removed on the face which will make the reader wonder exactly who was my double Olympic medallist husband.

The book is to be published by John Riddle at Cormorant Publishing, based in Hartlepool.We hope to be ready for publication by December 2009.

ISBN number: 978-1-906905-08-8

Sunderlands Aquatic Centre

2009-08-27T11:58:00.013+01:00

Sunderlands Aquatic Centre

On Sunday we went to the fabulous new Aquatic Centre in Sunderland. Situated next to The Stadium of Light, it's bright blue building looks so impressive perched high above the River Wear.

Once inside it's Olympic size pool looked no less impressive.

Half of the pool is sectioned off into lanes for the serious swimmers.

Diving boards are positioned at the far end. The other half of the pool was divided into two. One side catered for small children accompanied by adults and the middle section housed all the children and adults who wanted to have fun, splashing and diving. Lots of life guards were on hand to keep a close eye on the swimmers and who, I have to say were extremely quick to stop spectators taking photo's.

Whoops! too late.

All around the stadium was ample seating for spectators, not recommended for anyone afraid of heights or with a touch of vertigo.

The cafe downstairs provided a variety of drinks and snacks.

The changing rooms and showers were unisex. All in all we had a great time an experience I am

eager to repeat.

The long awaited release of the adopted 2!

2009-08-19T10:36:00.005+01:00

Today's mission to release the Guinea Fowl chicks was sadly aborted after they came under attack from the Peacocks.

Everything was going to plan, Ada, the Silkie hen who has raised them from an egg, left the coop first followed closely by her two offspring's. She, so pleased to be out in the open flapped her wings wildly and ran about madly totally ignoring the distress calls from the chicks

However, the chicks cries were not ignored by everyone,Oh no! The three peacocks were so quick to pick up on the sight of two lone chicks, they wasted no time investigating the crisis.

Slowly and meticulously they stalked the chicks cleverly putting themselves between the chicks and Ada until it became obvious that I had to intervene. I couldn't be like those wild life camera men who carry on filming whilst a young animal is killed and devoured just for the sake of a "good" piece of film footage.

The Peacocks had definitely moved in for the kill, pecking at the chicks with their long,pointed beaks. Ada was powerless to defend them it was up to me to save them.

With the help of my stick I managed to chase the Peacocks away and herd the chicks and Ada back into the safety of their coop.

I think I'll postpone their release for another day!

Its that time of year again.

2009-08-18T20:17:00.013+01:00

Worming!

With my little bucket of sheep mix under my arm I lured the sheep and the two goats into the bottom paddock. One by one we captured them and gave them their twice yearly dose of Combinex worming drench.

Looking more like a ghost buster then a farmer I delivered the tasty liquid via my gun.

OPEN WIDE!!, straight down the back of the throat.

A quick tidy up with the clippers around the back end revealed a potential disaster. One of the Ryland's, Primrose had an attack of blow fly strike. Maggots were feasting on a loose piece of dung. Soon remedied by Ric's handy work with the scissors.

Time to get out of the deckchair and stand to attention whilst I daubed them with Spot On (to deter the flies) and spray a bright green tick onto their fleece as a mark of belonging to Holiday House Farm.

Blue Boy, Belle and Floosey

2009-08-14T12:24:00.007+01:00

I was woken from my sleep this morning at the usual time of 4.30am, to the plaintive cry of our peacocks,Blue Boy, Belle and Floosey.

I thankfully drifted back off to sleep to be woken again at 6.30 by the cockerels crowing in the day. I cant win, never mind it's time to get up anyway.

Floosey is a new addition to the gang. You can soon read in my forthcoming Childrens book, Holiday House Farm, the fascinating story of how Blue Boy decided to go off one day leaving Belle at home sitting on her four eggs.

He returned the following day with a new girlfriend and another male in tow.

Living in such a remote area it remains a mystery as to where they came from. Floosey has decided to stay, she likes the farm and her new friends, especially Blue Boy

Just another normal day on the farm

2009-08-11T17:32:00.004+01:00

Just another normal day on the farm

Up at 7am, fed and cleaned out the animals.

Met Wilf and his older brother at the gate. Wilf is the plumber, he has come to lag the water pipe, the one that snapped when we had the landslide.
We are now reconected to the mountain stream (no water rates for us)
Next Wilf and his brother attempted to repair a leak in the roof. Up the ladder Wilf did go, oblivious to the total knee operation he had just a few short weeks ago. As he turned around at the top,ladder swaying in the breeze he explained, in his broad Yorkshire accent "its much better coming down, always bad leg first!"

Camilla , our Indian Runner duck (her partner Charles had to be rehomed on the river in Stokesley,due to his over amorous advances to the smaller ducks) has a badly swollen ankle. Gave her a shot of antibiotics yesterday but it doesnt seem to have had an effect. I suspect she was trodden on by Amber or Jetty, one of our Anglo Nubian goats.

Finished off the day mowing the lawn then made a nice curry. Raining again!

Leading hay in Scugdale

2009-08-09T15:42:00.005+01:00

Had a very busy day leading hay from our neighbours farm to home.

Thirty eight bales in all.It was exhausting work loading up the trailer, driving it home, unloading the trailer, stacking the hay then going back for a second load. We must have looked a funny sight to those not used to our unique farming ways. Not only was our dilapidated trailer full, bales of hay were stacked very precariously on top of the car held on by bits of string.

With the addition of Clarissa the pregnant Dexter cow we are going to need lots of extra hay in the winter.

Frustrated from Scugdale

2009-08-08T16:37:00.004+01:00

Am very frustrated!

Having a lot of trouble downloading or uploading,( not sure which), pictures to my blog.
Spent half the morning at the library worrying the life out of the librarian, but she was great. I managed in the end to do it myself.

I have had several sample pictures of the front cover of

SUE WHO? my Autobiography which show promise. Paul Fincken is the designer, he designed the front cover for a recently published book called A Place For Secrets by Yvonne Scollen.

I have also started work on the next story to be included in my forthcoming childrens book.

Tales From Holiday House Farm

sheep shearing on Holiday House Farm

2009-08-08T13:57:00.003+01:00

Having been let down by our regular sheep shearer, we decided to do the job ourselves. How difficult can it be!

Only got 11 sheep, three Swaledales, five Rylands two North Ronalsays and Brambles a wild castrated male we rescued from his thorny tomb.

We started with the smallest, Nora. Not a bad job I thought. She looked a little dazed one hour later as she staggered to join her buddies. Five hours later I was flying,hubby held em while I sheared. All was going well until Chopra, the boy(so called because he was born when Chopra scored a goal for Sunderland) decided he didnt like the shears being so close to his manhood. He kicked out sending me flying down the bank,electric shears still in operation almost slicing off the top of my thumb.

After giving my thumb some welcome attention I carried on shearing in true farming fashion.

Cant wait for shearing season next year. We are available for hire, quantity not a problem.Time could be an issue.

Local village Fete

2009-08-08T13:43:00.002+01:00

We went to the local village fete last week.

We had a really good time,music was good but unfortunately attendance was quite low

The little known "SCUGDALE LANDSLIDE"

2009-08-07T14:28:00.004+01:00

I had hoped one week after the landslide that things would get back to normal but no such luck! With every torrential downpour the river running beside our house looks to all the world as if it will slip again.
Last Friday I returned home from work to find my path blocked by a mass of mud, boulders(the size of a small car) and upturned trees, their roots were now the branches. With the help of our farmer neighbour and his tractor we were able to shift the debris into the field. The slide was so bad it re routed the flow of the river away from the duck pond. luckily my imaginative husband was able to lay a pipe from the new river to the pond. "happy ducks and geese". Well enough about my landslide for now suffice to say we should soon be back to normal on our idyllic smallholding.