UK. May to September 2018. Woodend, Lake District.

We travelled up to The Lake District 4 times during our stay in the UK, each time stopping at Woodend, Paul & Jella's place between Eskdale and Ulpha. Some of the time we were looking after their house and 4 self catering cottages while they were away but we also spent time with them while they were there.

As usual Paul had a few tasks that Kevin was able to help him out with. Having finished most of the conservatory (the sitouterie as it's called) earlier this year Paul decided to build a pizza oven. On our first visit Kevin helped him to cover it with a layer of insulating mat and then a thickl ayer of vermiculite.

Once it was ready to use Paul made his own pizza dough and we all had a go at making and cooking pizzas - they were fantastic - the best we've tasted! The dough was surprisingly easy to make into a thin base, we then added various toppings and then slid it into the oven. It only took between 40 and 90 seconds to cook them.

As usual we went on a few walks in the area, usually taking Gracie, Jella's dog, with us. A couple of times we walked to the top of Devoke Seat, which only takes just over half an hour from Woodend. The second time we took Gracie with us. Devoke water is below us with the Irish Sea in the distance and The Isle of Man on the horizon.

One afternoon Jella, Gracie and I walked to the top of Stanley Ghyll waterfall.

A walk along the Duddon Valley.

The Sitouterie is a lovely place to sit. One of Paul's excellent meals with Jella and Sylyia (his mum).

Jella and I tasting the blackcurrent wine that we made last year - excellent!!

In July we spent a week at Woodend while Paul and Jella went to the Cropready Festival. While they were there Catherynn (our niece), Hayden, Conah and Nathan came for 3 days. The boys spent most of the time fishing in Devoke Water - they didn't catch anything but had a great time. ONe day Kevin, Catherynn and I walked around the lake while they were fishing.

Conah and Nathan fishing near the boathouse.

Hayden and Conah did some fly fishing.

On our walk we went to the investigate some cairns and had a great view back towards Devoke Seat and the Lake Districk mountains.

Some horned sheep at the top of the hill.

Devoke Water with Woodend amongst the cultivated land in the distance.

Our last visit to Woodend was at the end of August as we wanted to go to the Music in Uplha Folk evening to watch the Gerry Colvin Band. Gerry stayed at Woodend for 3 nights and the rest of the band for just 1 night. Sadly the weather wasn't good so they didn't see the fantastic views but they all loved the accomodation, remoteness and welcome by Paul and Jella at Woodend.

We all enjoyed the music and Gerry's commentary throughtout the show.

The new garden outside the Sitouterie is small but the views are great. A 'gin terrace' has been added at the far end with a table and a couple of chairs which we donated from out Toddington garden.

The view from the 'gin terrace'.

I spent lots of time enjoying watching the birds from the Sitouterie.

Chaffinches, tits and siskins were frequent visitors to the bird table.

1.Toddington.

Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

2. Woodend, Lake District.

3. Norfolk.

4. New Forest Folk Festival.

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We often saw voles eating seeds that had been dropped underneath the bird table.