Not the best photograph I've ever taken as Julie is in a shadow, but I love this place. And as a bonus, we could sit outside in sunshine on Christmas Eve. Needing a bit of fresh air before the big day, Julie and I headed out on this stunning day. Not a cloud in the sky and 13 degrees in the early afternoon, it was too good to waste. First stop was Blagdon, not the one near us in Somerset, but the one near Morpeth. There's a shopping complex of sorts in converted farm buildings and has been for decades now. I wish I'd left all my Christmas shipping until today, we could have done nearly all of it here in this rural area, loads of space to wander around and lots of food. But a coffee and cheese scone sufficed, before a peruse of the deli and especially impressed with the Cane and Pine shop where if we'd had a van we may have bought a lot of things. Next years list to Santa then.
Just a few miles beyond Blagdon is the Cheese Farm. Time for another coffee. We seem to drink a lot of coffees and teas. It seemed even quieter here at just before 2pm, though in the upstairs cafe it was heaving. Outside though you could hear a pin drop it was so peaceful. Jackdaws and rooks spilled through the air, and a cottage nearby filled the atmosphere with delicious wood-smoke aroma. Perfect. Drinks bought, we sat in the sun, just daydreaming and enjoying the camaraderie of the passing white wellied cheese makers heading home. Julie felt hungry so ordered a cheese and tomato toastie. The cafe lady brought it out to her and then stood chatting for a moment. She was slightly red in the face due to the heat in the cafe upstairs. Thus being able to pop out for a moment into the cooler Northumbrian air with Julie's food was a pleasure she said. As it was for us as the sun began to set, lovely landscape, wonderful friendly people and for me, home. So I drove back to my parents the long way, via Whalton and Ogle, where 150 years ago my ancestors lived.
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