Market Place, Alston, Cumbria.

Oil burner and tealight holder

Unfortunately I forgot my camera the day I visited Alston. I enjoyed some fab shopping, the town has a number of jewellers, artists, potters and other crafts people working and displaying and selling their work. In particular i was impressed with the pottery at Gallery 1611 Ceramic, and bought a sweet little candle holder and oil burner.

I also bought loads of things from Mellow yellow gift shop and had a delightful lunch in the rather old fashioned tea shop, called Blueberries. My other half bought outdoor gear from the Outdoor Ramblers Shop.

For more details on the gallery try www.gallery1611.co.uk

High Cup Winery, Keisley, near Appleby in Cumbria.

Entrance

High Cup Winery not only offers you the chance to taste and buy their own range of wines produced from locally grown fruit but also has other displays. They use elderflower and berry, apple, damson, raspberry, rhubarb and beetroot. I tried all the different types and ended up buying six bottles, both for friends and my own consumption. 

Geology display

There is also a display about the geology of the area, which was designed with the help of North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership.

Art exhibit

There is also a summer art exhibition which displays the work of 18 artists based in the Eden valley area.

View across Eden Valley from winery

The High Cup Winery as seen from the road

St Lawrence Parish Church, Appleby, Cumbria.

St Lawrence's church in Appleby is rather sweet. It has many stunning stained glass windows but it is the ornate stone carving that really sets it apart. There is a large marble carved monument to a local lady, but it is the jolly sandstone buttresses that make the place. Each one is different and looks to be based on an actual person. My favourite is the rather jolly foppish chap with the elegant moustache.

Exterior of St Lawrence's

One of the stained glass windows

Organ top

Two of the old locals?

My favourite

Appleby, Cumbria

On Sunday 28th July I visited friends and we went to Appleby in Cumbria. Unfortunately the castle there was shut for the day, but we enjoyed a walk along the river. Rain the night before had swollen the river and the water was rushing past, and quite brown. The day however was lovely and having admired the garden and fountain at the Hospital of St Anne's enjoyed a walk along the river banks and through the wood. I also rather loved the carving near the play area, whilst the children enjoyed the swings and roundabout.