WINDERMERE & BOWNESS-ON-WINDERMERE IN SOUTH LAKELAND...

We are so lucky in the UK to have so many beautiful towns and cities which many have stunning scenery but my favourite of all time is Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere in the breathtaking South Lakeland.

Some fascinating facts about Bowness and Windermere - did you know that Charles Dickens is said to have frequented the New Hall Inn in Bowness.

In 1895, Windermere became ice bound for six weeks, making it possible to walk across from one side to the other.

The two towns of Windermere and Bowness were the second area in England to have electric street lighting.

Apart from the obvious scenery and rides on the lake there is still plenty to do in Bowness and Windermere with the famous World of Beatrix Potter and Blakewell overlooking the lake, one of the finest arts and crafts houses in the country.

With immediate access to the waters Windermere and Bowness attract many holiday makers but for me personally it's the views along the lake where you can stop and picnic or walk along the pathways which excite me most.

Year after year in all weathers from snow, rain, fog and deep sunshine it never fails to impress me and I have always said that if I ever won the pools I would immediately try and buy a holiday home in the Lake District.

THE BEAUTIFULLY #BRITISH PENNINE WAY...

The Pennine's Way, is arguable England's longest and finest footpath, which runs from the Peaks, in Derbyshire, to the Scottish border, over rough moors and over grown Roman roads. But it's certainly no walk for the inexperienced.

It has something to offer every long distance walker. The 270-mile walk will take your from the Peak District National Park along the Pennine ridge through the Yorkshire Dales, up into Northumberland, and across the Cheviots, and into the Scottish Borders. 

If you like a bit of history and culture then you will find that on this walk. Starting at the scene of the Kinder Scout mass trespasses of the 1930s, you will walk through the Southern Pennines, cradle of the Industrial Revolution, pass Haworth, home of the Bronte sisters, cross the limestone country of the Yorkshire Dales, follow the Settle to Carlisle Railway and enter a huge Pennine area that was exploited by every kind of mining activity, the lead industry in particular, as well as The Roman Wall and beyond the territory of the Scottish Borders.

The National Trails Website has lots of details on how to plan your visit.  

MY NEW BOOK - COMPLIMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES FOR PAIN...

I am pleased to say that my latest book 'Complimentary & Alternative Therapies for Pain', Your guide to over 50 treatments for Pain Relief, has been published and is now available on Amazon in book format or on Kindle.

Reviews would be greatly appreciated. 

WHY DO THE BRITISH DRIVE ON THE LEFT?...

Apparently when the horse was king, travelers liked to keep their sword hand free to deal with hostile traffic and as most were right-handed, they kept to the left and it became a rule of the Highways Bill of 1835. 

BLUEBELL HEAVEN IN BRITAIN...

It's nearly that time of year where Britain is swathed in beautiful bluebell masses in our mass of woodlands through the UK. This spectacular display is only found in northern Europe, but Britain contains more than half of the worlds population. Common bluebells are a protected specie in the UK and the main threat to their survival is people picking the flowers !!!

Below is a list of some of the most glorious places to enjoy these very pretty flowers on National Trustland.

Allen Banks & Staward Gorge, Northumberland
Explore the woods and discover the carpet of bluebells and wild garlic (ramsons) covering the woodland floor.
Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire
The 1.5-mile woodland trail has a beautiful display of bluebells beneath the bright-green beech canopy.
Blakes Wood, Essex
This 106-acre ancient woodland bursts into colour in spring with carpets of bluebells, primroses and yellow archangel.
Blickling, Norfolk
The wilderness garden and the woodland in the park are renowned for their bluebells-there's a breathtaking two acres of blue in spring, with a single cloud of white formed by a clump of wild garlic growing in its midst.
Buckland Abbey, Devon
Discover wonderful bluebell displays in the Great North Wood and take a three-mile Bluebell Walk with the estate warden on Friday, May 7, 11am-1.30pm.
Calke Park and Abbey, Derbyshire
With secret walks and 600 acres of parkland, much of it a National Nature Reserve. Among this ancient woodland, bluebells flower in abundance.
Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire
There are several way-marked walks throughout the parkland and wooded estate where you can take in the gorgeous bluebell displays.
Emmetts Garden, Kent
One of the highest points in Kent, with magnificent views of the Weald and North Downs. The woodland slopes are famed for their carpets of bluebells in spring
Hardcastle Crags, Yorkshire
A hidden beauty spot near Hebden Bridge. The three-mile Mill Walk is the ideal place to see a mass of bluebells in spring.
Kingston Lacy, Dorset
The 2.5-mile woodland walk and lime walk on the estate are both great ways to see the annual show of bluebells
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
At the start of the 1.5-mile Great Wood and Avenue Walk you'll come across the bluebell wood, famed for its carpet of colour in spring
Lyme Park, Cheshire
Wander up West Park Drive and enjoy a glorious bluebell display-along with great views across the Cheshire Plain
Nap Wood, Sussex
A tranquil woodland oasis along an ancient track of the Weald, which possibly dates back to the first few centuries AD. Mature tall trees tower above and a dense carpet of bluebells brightens the woodland floor in spring.
Osterley Park, Middlesex
One of the last surviving country estates in London, the garden and park are the perfect retreat from busy modern life. The bluebells appear late spring around the south and west woods
Rowallane Garden, County Down
This enchanting garden reflects the beautiful natural landscape of the surrounding area. Take a tranquil walk around the spring garden and the woodland trail, carpeted with bluebells in spring
Speke Hall, Merseyside
Wander through the estate to Stocktons Wood, where you'll see a glorious display of bluebells; keep going to be rewarded with great views of the Mersey estuary.
Stourhead, Wiltshire
Bluebells are abundant throughout the Estate and give wonderful displays through the wooded glades.
The Weir, near Hereford
A wonderful informal garden situated on the steeply sloping, south-facing bank of the River Wye. Richly planted with an abundance of bulbs, providing colour throughout spring, including bluebells
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey
Buried amid the gorgeous collection of trees and shrubs is the old English bluebell wood, which slopes down to the lake beneath a canopy of oak and Japanese maple.

BRITAIN IN BLOOM 2014...

Growing for Gold – 50 Years of Britain in Bloom!

To launch the 2014 RHS Britain in Bloom campaign and to celebrate Bloom’s golden anniversary, the RHS is encouraging community groups across the UK to plant golden pollinator-friendly flowers in public spaces this year.


The RHS is providing over 500,000 golden sunflower seeds to Britain in Bloom community groups across the UK to plant in their neighbourhoods.

They hope that groups will get involved by holding ‘Growing for Gold’ planting events between 14 – 20 April 2014, to coincide with the national launch activity for RHS Britain in Bloom.

Add your events to the National Gardening Week website to promote your work to thousands of potential new volunteers.


They hope that groups will sow their golden displays in a public space(s) where the local community can enjoy them. Please ensure that you have permission from whoever owns the land before planting.

THE GREAT BRITISH GARDEN REVIVAL...

 If you haven't been following the 'Great British Garden Revival' which is a selection of top television gardeners who want to inspire the nation to save Britain's rich gardening heritage.

Its on BBC 2 at 7 pm on Monday and the final episode is on Tuesday 14th January.

On Monday's episode Toby Buckland meets a conservationist who works to save species of fruit trees that are close to extinction, while Christine Walken looks at the Victorian era and their love of ornamental bedding plants.

On the final episode on Tuesday Chris Beardshaw champions the herbaceous border, while Alys Fowler celebrates the merits of the kitchen garden and tries a range of unusual edible plants.

If you have missed this great 'British' garden series and cannot watch it on catch up then don't panic as you can look through lots of pictures and clips by just going to the link online. 

This is Joe Swift with his milk float full of plants to revive front gardens in London which was one of my favourite episodes. 

Monty Don at Kew Millenium Seedbank

Toby in a field of Orange 

Rachel de Thame and Louise Wesley at Kelmarsh Hall