The alarm seemed to go off very early this morning…
Mr C quickly did his packing before we went for breakfast. There was a lot of banter as Toby served breakfast. When one of the other guests asked him if he was alright this morning, he looked at us and said ‘No not really’ and we fell about laughing, much to the puzzlement of the other guests.
After breakfast we loaded up the car and settled up the bill with Toby who then went to get Leona so we could say our goodbyes. We exchanged email addresses and Leona said next time we are in the area, we must call in to have a coffee together, because at the end of this season they will no longer be running the Coach House It was a sad moment that we were all rescued from by another client turning up to pay his bill.
We set off on our journey home via Mainsgill Farm thinking we might have lunch there. It was very busy and crowded and not what we were in the mood for so we decided to drive on. Whilst we were there I noticed that Kevin the camel was not around but I noticed two younger camels who turned out to be Doris and Delilah. Later I found out that Kevin was no longer with us. He will be missed, he was a magnificent creature.
After driving a little further we arrived in Brough where we found just the right sort of tea shop for our mood. It was small, busy and quiet. Overlooking the tea shop were the ruins of Brough Castle which we went to explore after lunch. We then resumed our homeward journey.
Interesting place!
Which one? The Coach House, Mainsgill Farm or Brough?
The Castle.
It was very peaceful there and there were breathtaking views of the countryside.
Those camels seem to be having a nice chat, but one seems to have Floppy Hump Syndrome (a condition I have just invented – maybe they go up and down depending on nutrient levels or hydration, … the things that Mamma Nature does to her brood never cease to amaze me)
You noticed the same two things about that photo as me. The chat and the floppy hump!
I had to be patient to get that photo. I am sure they knew I was photographing them. The camel on the left was initially grooming, licking around the other camel’s eye. She stopped that when I arrived and both of them turned their heads towards the road. I waited and eventually they turned their heads back and I got a couple of interesting photos of them
I am obviously more patient than those two camels
Ah yes, a good lick of the face can beat a chat sometimes (though depends on whose face I suppose, and whose lick)
Ah yes, a good lick of the face can beat a chat sometimes
It sounds like there is a good story to be told there
That is an amazing trip you made. I always try to find the places you visit, on Google Streetview, in this way I have a small clue, where you are. You went all over the place and no need to say that your pictrures are wonderful. One more memory to add, to all the adventures you have been in.
Always a joy to visit your blog.
Have a great Sunday
We did cover a lot of ground. We always do when we are there. Hopefully you will get the chance to go there on one of your visits to the UK, you will find plenty to photograph
I love Google maps for taking the street view of interesting places.
Sounds an absolute delight.
It was James
All very interesting and new to me. Brough is not a place I’ve ever stopped off at, maybe because of the scarred incident from my childhood of my Dad nearly running out of petrol on the road from Middleton-in-Teesdale. Consequently I didn’t know that there was a castle there …. only a petrol station
… in 197X !
It’s a shame that your holiday ended in the way it did, it all seems a bit sad for your journey back. I once stayed in a B&B in the Lake District chosen more for location, parking & 1 mile out of a major town. The hosts were ok so I decided to look at it again the following year but was disappointed that it had gone to self catering. A few years later a vibrant couple took over with plenty of great character, conversation & great food. It was a pleasure to return year after year and even support them with an extra week following the foot and mouth difficulties. It was upsetting to hear that they were going to sell up & live in the next village. Ownership changed hands for a short period but I could never get accommodation when I wanted it. The latest couple wanted to move it up a gear with quality by building on the atmosphere of the house but after a few years they shut the door to concentrate this year on the self catering facility to the rear which is in high demand. I stayed in a nearby guest house (no where near half as good) and it was sad to see the front door closed during the day as it was always open…
I hope you can find a suitable substitute for your trips to the north.
I was in Hexham yesterday with the camera & was disappointed to find that some of my favourite shops were no longer trading. It’s tough for businesses at the moment.
I can recommend the tea shop in Brough. The castle is only a small ruin, but it is free and the raised ground reveals the surrounding countryside.
It was a wonderful holiday but the parting was a little sad. Someone else is supposed to be taking over the place, but I am not sure that I will go back. Time for me to go hunting for something else to try
Yes times are tough, a lot of businesses are struggling.
The field is too lush for these camels! He he…
I hope they won’t miss their arid hometown.;p
They seem pretty content and they won’t have any problems with the changing English weather because their home town weather swings from one extreme to the other
Great text and enjoyable shots. the relation between camels and deserts is so strong in my head that i had some trouble looking at the couple of camels relaxing on the lush greenery. i guess i needed to see that shot in particular
I was surprised the first time I saw Kevin there