It’s been another great week. We were up in Northumberland until Wednesday when we drove back to Moreton Pinkney for a range of appointments and tasks over the next ten days or so (flu jabs, covid jabs, car MOT, etc.). We got lots done in Northumberland but there’s still a bunch to do. I tell you – it’s absolutely exhausting watching Penny working so hard.
We had great weather for the most part with mainly bright, sunny skies – just the one overcast and drizzly kind of day.
We took advantage of the great weather on Monday and trotted off to see Cragside, a National Trust property about half an hour from here – a stunning & scenic drive across the moors. And what a fascinating and beautiful place. It’s been on my hitlist for years – when we first came up to Northumberland in the early days of Chlamydia, the Camper Van, I had a list of places I wanted to see and Cragside was on it. Sadly, there were too many other things to see and do so we didn’t get there on that first trip. I’m glad we finally got there.
In 1863 William Armstrong (of engineering and armaments fame) purchased the Cragside estate and initially built a small hunting lodge. Over the next twenty years he extended the house in three phases between 1870 and 1884.
The house is described as the UK’s first “smart house” filled with technological innovations.
By building dams, Armstrong created five new lakes on the estate and, in 1868, a hydraulic engine was installed. Inspired by a watermill on the Dee in Dentdale, in 1870 Armstrong installed a Siemens dynamo in what was the world’s first hydroelectric power station. The generators, which also provided power for the farm buildings on the estate, were constantly extended and improved to meet the increasing electrical demands in the house.
The use of electricity to run the house’s appliances and internal systems made Cragside a pioneer of home automation; one of the first private residences to have a dishwasher, a vacuum cleaner and a washing machine. The spit in the kitchen was also powered by hydraulics and a lift/elevator, also powered by hydraulics, was installed. The conservatory contained a self-watering system for the pot plants, which turned on water-powered revolving stands. Telephony was introduced, both between the rooms in the house, and between the house and other buildings on the estate.
And that’s not to mention the gardens and the rest of the estate. Gorgeous.
Photo of house: Robin Drayton / Cragside, Northumberland
On the drive back to Moreton Pinkney on Wednesday, Lady Penelope commented on the bright display of some incipient fall colour – although we’ve not got photos to share (sorry), the colours were impressive and the trees are just beginning to turn. It looks like Northumberland could have quite a delightful and colourful display. They’re a couple of weeks ahead of us in beautiful downtown Moreton Pinkney and it’s difficult to guess how bright our colours will be this year. The drought and successive heatwaves will surely have stressed the trees and bushes. Does that mean that the colour will be terrific this year or miserable? We’ll have to wait and see. (And, I’ll try to remember to take some photos when we go back up).
Thursday evening was the inaugural Moreton Pinkney Film Night of the season. Hurray! We’ve missed you! The first film of the season was The Good Liar with Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen. Probably a typical MP Film Night choice – nothing that’s likely to offend the somewhat mature audience. Having said that, there was one use of the “C” word which might have been missed by many in the audience were it not for the subtitles intended to assist those in the audience who are somewhat hard of hearing.
All in all, it was good fun. Both Penny and I had a vague recollection of having seen it before, probably on a plane, but we couldn’t remember the details. That’s one of the great advantages of getting old, the ability to see a film several times and never remember the ending until it arrives! Ian McKellen meets Helen Mirren on an online dating site specifically aimed at the more mature individual. He sets out to scam her despite the best efforts of her grandson (Russell Tovey). Guess who the Good Liar turns out to be? It was a decent enough offering for the first film of the season. And, the fish and chips are always excellent!
Yesterday’s Guardian had a selection of photos from amongst the finalists for the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards which should raise a chuckle or two. Enjoy.
A few birthdays to look forward to this week. My lovely sister Susie turns a bit older tomorrow which also happens to be the birthday of my brother’s grandson (my great-nephew?) Theo. Happy, happy birthday to you two! And, Friday Ben’s wife Brex-Anna celebrates her birthday – many happy returns to you too.
And finally, YCNMIU – I’ve seen this quip used in other contexts. Senator Eric Schmitt claimed that Jack Smith, a special counsel who led two criminal cases against Trump, had attended a Hawks NBA game in Atlanta. Smith, in fact, attended a college basketball game in Maryland and watched the Iowa Hawkeyes. Despite the allegation being false, Schmitt later went on television and repeated the accusation. Someone on Facebook remarked that this exchange was rather like playing chess with a pigeon. When it loses it knocks all the pieces off the board, shits all over the place and then struts around claiming that it won.
Meanwhile, keep breathing, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And, be gentle to wasps and bees – we need all the pollinators we can get. And, hold your loved ones close.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg