I can see clearly now the pane has gone….

It has started, the long awaited new windows have arrived and are being installed as I type. Cottages closed this week so the windows can be fitted, one mishap with a Byre pane so far, fingers crossed for no more! Windows are so much clearer and brighter. Can’t wait for the new doors coming at the end of the month too.

Country Cream frames to match the Northumbrian sandstone walls

May be an image of 3 people
Monster making

Throwing some shapes this afternoon with this Little monster plant pot making workshop with RavnClay . Based about half an hour away up beside Heatherslaw Light Railway on the Ford & Etal estate, what a fun and relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
I would totally recommend if you are staying at Bog Mill a great activity for all the family, and perfect if the weather is maybe not quite behaving. Keith had the patience of a saint too as he assisted Alice turn her Woolley Mammoth grand ideas into lovable reality. Can’t wait to see them when colour dipped and fired.
More details of workshops on https://www.ravnclay.co.uk/
My mum and Alice far better at the final photoshoot than me!

Brand new sewage treatment system for cottages

Now I know this isn’t the most exciting topic for a blog post but it is a hugely important one. While the cottages have been in lockdown we haven’t let the grass grow under our feet- literally.

This photo shows the size of the brand new Aerobic Waste Water Treatment Plant which we have had installed underground. Rather than the traditional septic tank which it has replaced this tank actually treats any waste product coming from the cottages both from ahem ‘down the bog’ and also from any sinks, showers etc in the cottages.

The reason I am telling you this is that it is now vitally important that NOTHING other than pee, poo and toilet tissue are released into our treatment system. A bin is provided to dispose of anything else. That also means things must not go down the sink like food, hair and oil. Also cleaning products that are antibacterial or bleach based can seriously mess up the good work this tank does breaking down our waste into clean water again.

We do provide all the environmentally and treatment system friendly cleaning products you should require for your stay so there’s no need to worry you’ll be using the wrong things. Infact think of it as one less thing to have to pack. If you are anything like me you will already have a car full of luggage anyway without having to also bring the supplies for under the kitchen sink!

Swimming with Seals

Last night I had the pleasure of joining a friendly group of swimmers onboard a boat heading out of Seahouses to take part in a ‘Seal Swim’. A local lady Jane Hardy in conjunction with Billy Shiels boats organises these trips which have recently started operating again with reduced numbers and other safety measures in place to ensure their safety in this COVID 19 conscious world.
We set off from Seahouses half dressed in wetsuits and ventured out to sea in our designated boat. On arrival at the planned swim spot we pulled on our masks, snorkels and flippers and headed into the sea.
A little chilly at first but I was soon distracted from the cold by looking at the beautiful puppy like heads that were looking at me as inquisitively as I was looking at them. Unfortunately I don’t have a waterproof camera so these photos were taken from a fellow swimmer who was kind enough to share. A fantastic evening was enjoyed by all from what I could tell with many discussions on what had been seen on the way back.
Farne island seal swims are for competent adult swimmers only who have their own wetsuits and equipment. They only run as long as the weather is suitable so difficult to plan in advance but if you are lucky enough to book one during your stay I’d highly recommend it. If you a keen to try a secure a place let me know and I’ll contact Jane for you.
Rachel

Peter’s Mill Past and Present

Peter’s Mill 2020
Original ‘Peter’s Mill’ c.1901

The cottages at Bog Mill overlook this local beauty spot so I thought it would be interesting to share a little more about it’s history.

Although the original Water Mill has been long since razed to the ground the area is still very popular for walks and picnics with locals and visitors alike. Peter Eadington appears in records in 1841 as miller. He must have been a popular figure locally as the mill site is even now known as Peter Eadington’s Mill.
The mill was working until about 1920 but the building was demolished in 1925 as it was regarded as dangerous. The weir was removed in 1951 to assist land drainage.
From the evidence available there was a weir across the Aln and a leat taking the water to an undershot wheel. The mill had a square kiln with a perforated fireclay floor. Small pieces can still be seen lying around.

Peter was responsible for the original footbridge over the river beside the ford seen in the photo above. Originally there were also a set of stepping stones running alongside the bridge which were eventually replaced by stout concrete blocks.
For many years this was the route over the river for walkers. I have many memories of crossing those old concrete blocks, the gaps between feeling immense when I was just a small girl and literally having to leap from stone to stone. Many times tree trunks, other debris and the odd unlucky sheep would be washed down the river which we’d either have to climb over or my dad and I would haul these over the stones to keep the walkway clear.
During wetter months the river would be in flood rendering the stepping stones impassable under the fast flowing river. An old flood level post often recorded the river height as 14 foot or higher.

In 2004 the local council decided to replace these stepping stones with the bridge as we see it today. A far more practical solution, but I have got to admit I do miss the fun of those stepping stones and the opportunities now gone to watch unlucky individuals who would take a unplanned plunge into the surrounding chilly waters. Fortunately usually a pretty soft landing but a rather soggy walk home.

From: Griffith, E.P. 1972. A History of Northumberland Water Mills (unpublished)

Photos: Jenifer Friend

Where it all started

The Mason family Ann and Philip and their children Andrew, Paul and Rachel(me) moved to Bog Mill, Alnwick in around 1982. Much work followed with the renovation of the farmhouse into a habitable home and the conversion of the dilapidated buildings and surrounding land into a working small holding. My mum Ann was the farmer while my dad Philip went out to work during the day and helping every other available hour. My childhood memories of growing up at Bog Mill are filled with happy recollections of all the animals we looked after, rabbits, sheep, calves, dogs, cats, ducks, geese (still terrified of them to this day), chickens, goats to name but a few!

Around 1999 Ann and Philip found themselves alone at Bog Mill, all their children having flown the nest and decided it was time for their retirement from the day job and farming duties. So they embarked on a much bigger project, well actually sitting back and relaxing during retirement would never have suited my parents anyway!

The birth of Bog Mill Holiday Cottages was about to commence. Here are some photos from that time, as you will see my whole family were involved.

Not much left of the Byre at this point
My brother Paul and his wife Pauline get hands on with the conversion
Ann mixing and carrying the morter
Philip bought himself a new toy to help with the conversion
Those beautiful original archways celebrated
The Byre windows going in
The roof goes on
My brother Andrew and his wife Lesley working hard
Drains going in

To Cragside via Middle Earth

Enjoyed a day out today that I regularly recommend to guests, a trip across to Cragside to see the famous Rhododendrons in full bloom – and truly beautiful they were too. Miles upon miles of these bright pink flowers along both sides of the 6 mile carriage drive and also around  Nelly’s Moss lake, where we enjoyed a walk with our six year old and her best friend.

Rhododendrons

Although we didn’t visit the house today as it was just too sunny to go inside, it is well worth a visit if you get the chance. A trip through the kitchens always reminds me of growing up at Bog Mill and the old range fire that dominated our front room, a similar one to that seen in Cragside kitchen. Their bathroom though does slightly have the edge on ours.

My very favourite part of the trip though is always the journey from Alnwick to Rothbury, the most spectacular view from Corby Crags. Demonstrated by the same view used in the publicity posters for the film The Hobbit. Though didn’t spot Gandolph as we passed today.

Northumberland

The Stable -test run

Alice enjoying her first meal in the Stable

Well they say the best way to really test the user experience in your holiday cottage is to give it a go for yourself. So this week Alice and I packed our bag and made the long journey (approx 3 minutes door to door) to the Stable cottage for the night. Actually the proximity didn’t really matter because once we shut that door we might as well have been far away because Alice screamed ‘we are on holiday!’ and the mood was set.

We had come armed with our pizza and a tipple of choice so set about testing the facilities. Never having ‘cooked on gas’ before I was interested to see how it would compare to my home fan oven but judging from the nicely toasted pizza I can say it was a success. The integrated dishwasher was a definite bonus as clearing away was done in a trice leaving the kitchen spotless and ready for the next meal.

For our evenings entertainment we had a choice of activities. Provided in the Stable  are a range of children’s dvds, a Roku stick allowing full to digital services including Netflix (by signing in on our own contract) or an XBox 360 with a selection of games. Alice’s choice for the evening was a dvd so a trip to Madagascar for the evening had us laughing all the way up to Alice’s bedtime.

Alice opted to try out the magnificent four poster bed, and who could blame her with its pocket sprung mattress and upper memory foam layer this bed was built for comfort as well as style and a great nights sleep was enjoyed- at least until 6.30am.

The early start to the day did give us the opportunity to try out some more of the Stables facilities. Opening the kitchen blind as dawn broke provided a beautiful view of the River and sheep grazing peacefully on the other side was lovely to see. 

View from kitchen window

We had brought Bunny shaped Crumpets for our breakfast and luckily I had remembered to pack plenty of butter to enjoy these, but of course being clumsy me I managed to drop a jar right on top of two of the side plates chipping them both 🙄. I will be off to the shops this morning luckily these pieces are for sale individually in Alnwick so any breakages are quickly and easily replaced- a real advantage as accidents do happen (to me anyway!) but shouldn’t cause any upset whilst on holiday.

After breakfast Alice raided the shelf load of family games and Hungry Hippos was the game of choice, family trivial pursuit and a jigsaw followed- and all of this before 8am! 

Once showered and dressed we decided as we were on our holidays then a trip to the beach was the activity of choice for the day so heading off from the cottage just 3 miles east took us to Alnmouth Southside beach, the far quieter option than Alnmouth village but watch your car, the track down is really only suitable for 4x4s but the half mile walk is definitely worth it if you are able.

Alnmouth south side