Free Range Eggs

At long last we are back home, and not a minute too soon!!! Eight months in an apartment that has paper thin walls, and an entrance buzzer that reverates through the whole building was not condusive to a relaxing stay. How we missed not being able to just go into the garden whenever we wanted. Nevertheless, our vegetables came up a treat which is rather surprising seeing as we weren't tending them as much as we felt we should. However, that is now behind us. Despite not yet emptying all the boxes from storage it is certainly feeling like home.


Well, last week we collected our first four chickens, slightly later in the year than we'd anticipated, and already they are laying!!! Excellent, fresh eggs for breakfast. You just can't beat freshly laid free range eggs. We'll settle these first chickens in and then we'll add another couple.

So, back into the swing of things: The Rural Rossendale Walking Festival has been planned and organised, details below.


Rural Rossendale Walking Festival 2010 Pennine Lancashire
Many people who visit Rossendale for the first time are always pleasantly surprised by the hills and varied walks the area has to offer. This year the Rural Rossendale Walking Festival features a host of aptly named 'foodie' walks taking in the best of Rossendale's local food producers.

The interesting programme of Rural Rossendale 'foodie' walks takes place on the first weekend in October which coincides with Rossendale Farmers Market on Sunday 3rd October. So if you want to sample some local Lancashire produce and take in the best of the unique working environment of Rossendale you can book your place now by contacting Wendy Davison on 07746 556337 or email wendy.davison@btopenworld.com

For a real Lancashire experience make the most of the weekend walks by booking in to any one of the places to stay. High standards and stunning views abound and a warm welcome always awaits you in Rossendale whatever the weather.


The festival is run by volunteers. There are 2 walk leaders per walk (1 of which is a qualified first aider). A proportion of the funds raised by the event will be donated to the North West Air Ambulance and First Responders team.


Rural Rossendale Trust c/o Tippett Farm
Cowpe Rossendale Lancs BB4 7AE

Walks must be pre-booked
Dogs Welcome


Walk Date Walk Description
Approx. Distance Start Time Cost Per Person
1 Friday
01.10.10.
The Fudge Trudge
A circular route around Whitworth departing from Market St. through Healey Dell, across Brown Wardle Hill and back around Cowm Reservoir with a short stop at the Fudge Factory to refuel. 10miles/
16km 10:00 £3.00

2 Saturday
02.10.10. Saturday Sarsaparilla Surprise
A surprise walk in the Rossendale Valley with special guest photographer imparting useful tips and hints. Departing from The East Lancashire Railway station, Rawtenstall stopping off for a glass of Sarsaparilla at Fitzpatrick's Temperance Bar. Free Sarsaparilla drops for all walkers
4miles/
6km 10:00 £3.00
3 Saturday 02.10.10. Swish and Chips
A circular route departing from The Bizzy Plaice, Edenfield, walking over Scout Moor and viewing the largest onshore wind farm in England to the top of Cowpe via Sandbeds Road and back to the Bizzy Plaice for Fish and Chips.d Cowm Reservoir with a short stop at The Fudge Factory to refuel.
7 miles/
11km 10:00 £5.00
4 Sunday
03.10.10. The Soup Loop
A circular route departing from Bacup Leisure Hall, taking in part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail, The Rossendale Way and the Pennine Bridleway. Stopping off en route for a delicious bowl of home-made soup.
12 miles/
19km 10:00 £3.00
5 Sunday
03.10.10. The Cheese Breeze
A family friendly walk around Cronkshaw Fold Farm viewing the farm animals and learning all about farming in the Alden Valley. Lancashire Cheese tasting back at the farm for all participating families. 2 miles/3km 10:00 Adults £3.00
Children
Free

6 Monday
04.10.10. The Black Pudding Plod
Departing from Waterside Industrial Estate the home of the award winning Real Lancashire Black Pudding Company this circular route passes around Grane Valley with superb views of the reservoirs and woodlands. Black Pudding recipe leaflet for all particpating walkers.
7 miles/
11km 10:00 £3.00

Well, we’ve just got to say CONGRATULATIONS Blackpool Football Club. What a tremendous result! Manchester United may be our first team but, having a grandson who lives in Fleetwood, and a son who studied at Fleetwood Nautical College, The Seasiders are our second team, closely followed by Burnley. We revelled in Burnley’s promotion last year but are truly excited by Blackpool’s promotion. Swapping one B for another!

For those of you that intend to travel up to watch any forthcoming Blackpool football games be sure to contact The Villa Hotel, Withnell Road, tel: 01253 341313 www.thevillahotel-blackpool.co.uk situated just yards from the Pleasure Beach and a wonderful short walk to the football ground. I can assure you a warm welcome, good food and great hospitality will be afforded you. I know cos it’s my sister’s hotel!

How excited we are also that the contractors have finally started the renovation on our bungalow. We’ve not slept in our bed since 30 December’09 and whilst living in this apartment was a novelty to begin with, it is now wearing thin. The fact that we seem to constantly have a skip on the drive concerns us for our guests but fortunately our visitors are being very understanding. The old kitchen has been removed, plasterboard has been taken off the walls, the wood has all been treated and preliminary work has begun on digging up the garden for the new drains.

Making the most of this beautiful weather we have been spending the weekend on the garden and it just makes us miss the place even more! The cauliflower, beetroot, rhubarb and broccoli are coming on a treat, can't wait to eat them, but we'll have to wait a little longer yet, lol!

We hope that the work will be completed by the end of July and if so we hope to be back in some time in August.

The itinerary for the Rural Rossendale Foodie Walking Festival has been finalised. This really is a fabulous four days with a variety of walks to suit all ages and capabilities. The added attraction is that each walk has a “food” theme and every walker receives a sample, and in some cases a full meal, as an integral part of their walk. Each year the numbers increase so be sure to book your places early. The full itinerary can be viewed at: http://www.ruralrossendale.co.uk/walking_festival.asp
As always we look forward to welcoming you as our guests for the walking weekend. As those of you that have stayed with us in the past will know, you will have the best of breakfasts to set you up for the day and the most comfortable beds to relax in at night.

This weekend we welcome Mr & Mrs Shutt who were the highest bidders in a charity auction for Queenscourt Hospice in Southport. Their prize......> a weekend with us!!!! What a weekend they have chosen!! Rossendale is a beautiful, beautiful place but when the sun is out it is absolutely divine. If you would like more information on the wonderful work carried out by Queenscourt please visit http://www.queenscourt.org.uk/

I will try my best to blog more often!

Number 678 Guest House - the blog continues

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our guests!!!! We hope 2010 has started off well for you and that your festive season was filled with fun and frivolity, yet with love and a calm that left you feeling breathless.

Our Christmas was quiet yet enjoyable. I say ‘yet’ because many of you will know that I like fun and frivolity!!! Number 678 was open over Christmas although the weather, and becoming a grandparent early, prevented a couple of guests from staying. We wish them well and will no doubt see them some during this year.

How fabulous was the snow as it fell on Christmas Day……. Gorgeous, festive, so picturesque.

Some of you were no doubt aware that we went off skiing on New Year’s Day to Morzine in the French Alps. We haven’t skied for a few years and I must be honest I was somewhat nervous. Tom decided that he would stay in his walking boots and opted for being childminder to our grandaughter. Wow, I’ve still got it!!!! I absolutely loved it. 23 of us in our party ranging from 11 months to about 60 years old, it was brill. We stayed in the most fantastic chalet, so well equipped, would definitely recommend it.

What a return though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Our bungalow was devastated by a leak that had been pumping from the loft through to every single room in the place. Result…………> everything squelching; furniture, carpets, beds, clothes, photographs everything is the building. We couldn’t even stay in the guest house as the pipes had frozen, consequently no heating and no water. It took us a few days to thaw the pipes which then resulted in 12 leaks. As it happens we weren’t on our own. The majority of small accommodation providers were either without water or without heating. What a week that was! Despite having an emergency call out policy with British Gas they didn’t deem us as an emergency!!!! It was three days before they responded to the bungalow and four days before they responded to the guest house. You can guess how impressed we were. I think a re-evaluation of emergency call out provider is necessary……….. If you have a recommendation or suggestion we are all ears.

Thankfully, all is now in order at Number 678 and we are back up and running with gusto. During 2010 we’re looking forward to welcoming all our regular and returning guests, and of course we look forward to our first time visitors.

It is only through our wonderful guests and their valued feedback that we can maintain our Four Star Silver Award accreditation.

Have a fantastic 2010.

Come see us soon.