Land-warming Party and Naming

29th September

Michaelmas Day - our land-warming party. Penny had written a song for us dedicated to the land. We named the land Liddells after Clare's maternal grandmother's family, who lived in the Tyne Valley centuries ago. There are more photos here.

Hal on the phone to Mathilda so she could be there too

Enjoying the glow

September 2013 - Party preparations

3rd September

We planted two clumps of Meadow Cranesbill and a Pink Campion. 

4th September

Clare saw the hare. We took still and moving pictures of the land. 

10th September

Beech branches overhanging the road had been cut and had to be moved. 

15th September

We built the bonfire for the party. Kate and Andy came for blackberries. There was a spectacular rainbow to the north, over Heavenfield. 

14th September

Clare collected fruits and made hedgerow jelly. This is the recipe I use.

17th and 15th September

John, Neil and Andy build the shelter for the party. See Celebrations for photos.

21st September

We made a path down to the tree planting site (the Bird Cherry tree Mathilda bought us as a wedding gift)

28th September

We saw a kestrel

29th September

We saw a large dragonfly

August 2013 - Becoming landowners

7th August

16.50: We are landowners! I walked to the land and John drove and we sat and raised a glass to investing in life. 

13th August

Party-planning! We've identified a site for the bonfire and for the shelter. We've also considered the possibility of applying to turn the hunt jump into a gateway. Great raspberries!

15th August

John went up with Mel and they saw a roe doe at the spring end of the Pit Wood and a sparrowhawk. 

2 sightings of a hare on the meadow. 

26th August

A new gatepost installed and the gate rehung. 

What a prospect...

Pre-purchase - March-July 2013

Prior to the sale of the land, the previous owner generously allowed us access, and we began documenting our visits. 

17th March

We planted 100 English Bluebells on the land. 

20th March

John discovered that there is an Ancient Monument on the land: Medieval cross base, 400m south east of Crag House. List Entry: 1008424.

The base of the wayside cross is incorporated into the dry stone wall situated on the top of the east-west ridge. It is believed to be on the Medieval Pilgrim route from Hexham Abbey to the Church of St Oswalds at Heavenfield. 

1st April

We planted Snowdrops that we had taken from our garden.

Sunday 21st April

New growth from a dead Elm trunk on the west side of the Pit Wood. Primroses on the south facing bank of the spring gully. Saw Bullfinches - 2 pairs in the Pit Wood. 

20th May

We discover that completion hasn't happened as planned because of a legal technicality.

20th June

John saw a hare on the Top Grazing. 

24th July

Mike has applied to the Land Registry and been given Absolute Title to the land inside the gateway. 

30th July

We have exchanged contracts. Completion to take place Wednesday 7th August.