December 2013 - a busy month to end the year!

3rd December

We met Duncan Hutt and Mel from the Northumberland Wildlife Trust at Liddells. Duncan was interested in our idea of leaving the land to the NWT. He offered help and we talked about grazing options. 

We planted 2 patches of Pheasant's Eye Narcissus either side of the crossbase, 3 clumps in the verge and some inside the boundary wall north of the gate and by the beeches. 

4th December

40 Fritillaria planted in lower east meadow - our chosen site for wildflowers (we had originally thought of developing the area above the crag, but Duncan's visit prompted a rethink).

Clump of Narcissus Felindre (Poeticus Daffodil) on bank approaching Bird Cherry tree. 2 clumps by the Bird Cherry. 

6th December

50 Snowdrops and 16 Narcissi in the woodland. John saw ladybirds appearing to hibernate in a Scots Pine, south edge of Pit Wood. 

18th December

Ian Everard from the Forestry Commission visited the land with us and advised on making subcompartments/grant applications. He was encouraging and offered help with forms. 

20th December

We cut out own Christmas tree and one for Jane B.

26th December

Boxing Day - 2 hours freeing trees from plastic tubes in NE Strip. 

27th December

More tree freeing/logging/clearing

28th December

Brashing/logging/clearing; bags of rubbish to dump; logs stacked in shed on Top Grazing; Freelander stuck in mud overnight!

29th December

After more unsuccessful attempts on John's part to free the Land Rover, he went off to get help. Determined not to be beaten, Clare managed to drive it out just as Derek arrived with a tractor. So proud!

Brashing/logging/clearing - more logs stacked; trailer mended; common earthball fungus identified east of path under wires. 

John and chain saw - a familiar sight

The North-east Strip looking more open after brashing and thinning

The spoils of tree-freeing

30th December

Office work on planning/forms etc. 

31st December

Diary update.

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.

Uploaded by Clare and John Liddells on 2017-11-06.

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.