Today we felt the force of nature when we woke up to choppy waters, trees swaying and wind whistling through the trees.

There was the inevitable re-arrangement of garden furniture, including the chicken run. As a result, our cockerel and two hens enjoyed a day on the town, experiencing a ‘free-range’ lifestyle in the garden. Normally the hens are let out after they have laid their daily egg; today we shall have an egg search around the garden.

A few days ago I found myself watching a lovely red squirrel bouncing around the lawn. Speaking to Mrs Harrison in Dunnock Lodge today, I was told that she too had seen a red squirrel outside her lodge, as well as a woodpecker. She also updated me on the antics of the chaffinch that was attacking the car window a week or so ago and has now taken to attacking its reflection in the window of Dunnock Lodge.

Friday at last and now that we are in British Summer Time, the ice cream man is back. As I had been busy chatting to Mr and Mrs H I missed out on my ice cream.

Nick and Mike have been working diligently to clear the Canadian Pond Weed and the silt on which it grows, from the Lough, which is both a blessing and a nuisance. A blessing because it releases oxygen into the water, the absence of which can be...

Recently we have taken to cycling to the nearest pub, having lunch and cycling back. On the last three occasions we've cycled to The Greyhound at Burgh by Sands with Leah, as they allow dogs into the bar. This week we decided to try further afield...

Early one morning just as the day was breaking …. I looked out of the bedroom window and normally I see ducks, geese or Mute Swans, however today I saw a sight that just had to be captured. Unfortunately my camera is not great for action shots, so with regret the picture is not such good quality, but it is still a sight to see.

We had our first encounter with a hedgehog when it got imprisoned in the Grey Squirrel trap the other day. Timid little thing didn’t want to come out of the trap and clung on for dear life when Nick and the boys tried to ease him out gently. In the end he had to be shaken out, and then he curled into a ball and rolled away.

Horses are such a big part of the countryside. Jon did have a riding lesson on his 5th Birthday and we have a little hazy picture of him on Wimbledon Common. In Cumbria riding is part of life and our boys have just joined the ranks of she-riders at Ride it Rite stables.

It's great to get out on a walk to the Lake District National Park and there are so many walks that allow children to run and explore and get fresh air into their lungs. Fabulous views for all to enjoy.

Something that I had not encountered before was the depth of connection that people have with places, and this seems to be the case with the Lough, with people popping by and then sharing their story.

Our boys had become increasingly fascinated by dogs over the last year and one of their favourite games was " playing dog ".

There are both red and grey squirrels on site at the Tranquil Otter. I have seen both with my own eyes. Not to anthropomorphise, I have seen the red squirrel bounce across the lawn presenting a pretty picture and the grey squirrel head butt the living room window.

It has now been six months since we left Clapham, London and moved to Thurstonfield, Cumbria. Never having spent more than a week at a time in the country-side it is like a multi-coloured day dream. Living on the Clapham Road was a fantastic experien...