Category Archives: Rural life

Like a bat out of … (you might not believe it but it’s true)

Living out in the middle of nowhere has its pros and cons. Here’s a pro – water is free, since it comes from a bore hole. Here’s a con – the water system is prone to failure from time to … Continue reading

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Petrol Roulette

You’d think after six years living in the middle of nowhere that the ‘low fuel’ lessons would have all been learned by now. Today we went to Barnard Castle to meet friends, having set off with little or no petrol … Continue reading

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Cumbrian Summer (aka rain)

I am beginning to think there’s something in this ‘European monsoon’ notion and I think the epicentre lies directly over Cumbria. Apart from a week of sunshine in July (ironically when we we out of the country), summer appears to … Continue reading

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UK inflation rate and the land of the cuckoo

Since December 10th 2007 when I last ordered domestic oil the price has gone up by 30% and that is 290% in the last five years, so I am very comforted to know that the government figures show inflation is … Continue reading

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I’m a Quaker – that’s about the size of it

Last night the cats had a minor altercation which resulted in one of them hiding under the bed. Feeling sorry for her I got her furry ‘hutch’ from the landing and put it on the chest at the end of … Continue reading

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RTFM, phone a friend (and then go mad)

So the latest batch of power spikes took out my SmartView KVM (allows 4 computers to be controlled through one screen, mouse and keyboard). It is really essential to the way I work. The small LED panel was dead. I … Continue reading

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What is a UPS?

It is a question I often get asked when I say ‘most of my kit is protected by a UPS’ (actually several), since I live in the back of beyond and we have the usual rural electricity instability one comes … Continue reading

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Crabbie Dick’s

With Winter setting well in here in the Cumbrian Fells, I turned to some application of warmth to my desktop wallpaper from my photo collection. Whilst “Crabbie Dick’s” in Key West was a venue not easily forgotten, my first encounter … Continue reading

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A pain in the Howgills

After walking up nearby Winder and Arant Haw from the back of Sedbergh I was feeling pretty pleased with myself, as I have had little exercise this year (apart from walking to and from the pub in the village). Having … Continue reading

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Nature’s beauty but not without the pain

We have had a few months of lambs playing in groups right outside the back door and finally they get separated from their mums. The three days or so of crying across the fields is heart wrenching. Today I walked … Continue reading

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