Bishop Auckland Food Festival

I didn't even know there was a castle in Bish! Anyway, we went to the Food Festival last weekend. It was huge. It started in the town and stretched down the street into the castle grounds. It was very well done, only let down by cold and wet weather.

Blowing My Own Trumpet

The picture of me above is worrying in I seem to be starting to resemble Wallace (from Wallace & Gromit). Still, I'm (sort of) smiling.
I recently entered a couple of local competitions.
The first was the Teesdale Mercury Calender competition. I only found out after a friend showed me the article in the paper, that I was one of the 12 winners!

I also entered a competition for Durham County Council and had this reply:

Hello,

I’m delighted to tell you that your photograph has been shortlisted in our top 20 in the photograph competition.

The top 20 will be on display in our Durham Room at County Hall next week.  You are welcome to come along and take a look.

I didn't win that competition, but felt very pleased I'd got so far for a first try.

Birthday Girl

Nicky's birthday was Wednesday, so we all went to the Rose & Crown in Romaldkirk.
A very nice place, great food, if a bit pricey. I seemed to come the worst off though for portions, I kept getting dishes looking like they had just come from Masterchef, very stylish but eaten in seconds.
The best fish and chips I have ever had though. Fresh caught Sole from Whitby.

Thorp Perrow

It was a bit of a cold grey Saturday, but we thought we would try Thorp Perrow. It's a stately home, but you can't go in the house, only the gardens. They are quite good, lot's of different walks in different styles. The highlight though is the aviary. Lot's of birds of prey that they bring out a few times each day to meet the crowd and do a flying display. Oh yes, and the coffee shop...2 words...Hot Chocolate!.

Small World

A crashy pyjama day playing Small World. A great little game that my good friends Tim & Sarah sent us.

Shildon Railway museum

On an overcast Saturday morning we decided to go and visit Shildon. 25mins away and host to the Railway museum. It's quite impressive, you can get in the drivers seats on a few of the trains and get up close to nearly all of them. Oh, and it's all completely free!
One thing we did find out though, the cafe doesn't take cards. So after buying all the hot chocolates and cakes we than couldn't pay for them! Nicky had to nip off to the local garage to get some money out, so be warned to take some cash with you for that.

Fairy Castle

While we were at the top of Richmond Castle we noticed a folly in the distance. The Castle guide said it was called the Fairy Castle, so we walked over to see it. It looked like it was actually someone's house when we got close. An amazing place to live in!