Jenkin Hill Cottage News

Keswick in Bloom Winners!

Kelvyn — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:52:21 +0000

We are very pleased to announce that we have won the Keswick Tourism Association’s Country Establishment Award in this year’s Keswick in Bloom competition. As most of our visitors know, we work hard to try to keep our gardens looking good despite occasional bad weather, such as this years prolonged dry spell, and other destructive elements, such as escaped hens doing their best to uproot as many plants as possible!

New Wisteria

Kelvyn — Sat, 22 May 2010 15:54:35 +0000

A couple of years ago we were at the RHS gardens at Wisley at the time when the Wisteria display was at its stunning best! I made a note of a couple of the (to me) nicer varieties, but they had none of these in the plant shop there. On the way back home we called in to the nursery at Stapely – and located one of the varieties in their shop. This is now getting to be well established in the garden, and flowers a couple of weeks before the older & bigger plant over our kitchen window.

A good year for blossom

Kelvyn — Mon, 10 May 2010 10:13:48 +0000

The cherry blosom on the tree by our car park has been absolutely covered in blossom this year. Maybe due to the colder & longer than usual Winter, but it sure is a welcome sight!

It’s 4 Stars again as the daffodils start to bloom

Kelvyn — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:21:59 +0000

We have been visited by the Hotel Inspector this week and once again awarded a Four Star Quality grade with a Silver Award for Excellence.
And to brighten the week still further, the daffodils have started blooming in the gardens, just in time for Easter.

Lambs bask in the Spring sunshine

Kelvyn — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:06:06 +0000

These lambs were photographed in the field next to us.

Spring approaches

Kelvyn — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:55:35 +0000

The colours of the crocuses seem even brighter than usual after that long Winter.

Snowdrops abound!

Kelvyn — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:34:46 +0000

Snowdrops in our garden

Our garden and many grass verges here in the North Lakes are studded with Snowdrops. These have been in bloom for about 4 weeks now, and show no sign of fading yet. Spring is rapidly approaching, so we have the daffodils and then the bluebells to look forward to.

The birds have been collecting nesting material for some time now, but we are still having frosty mornings.

Frozen Lakes

Kelvyn — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:13:36 +0000

The Winter scenes here in the North Lakes are really lovely. The accessible lower slopes have been well used by children (and adults) sledging and generally enjoying themselves.

Photographers are out and about just about everywhere. It is a long time since the lakes have been frozen over, and snow resting on the ice adds to the photographic appeal. This photo is of Bassenthwaite Lake looking towards Ullock Pike and Skiddaw.

A White Christmas

Kelvyn — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:58:25 +0000

As I write this just four days before Christmas Day there is an inch of snow outside. Unfortunately it is wet snow, not suitable for snowballing or for building a snowman. More light snow showers are predicted for the rest of the week, though.

The fells look marvellous at the moment, as the sun is shining and the air seems very clear.

Added on Tues 22nd December – the view from our gate:

We are still here!

Kelvyn — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:40:30 +0000

Thanks to all of those who have telephoned and emailed to ask about our situation here in the North Lakes. Despite the heavy rains and winds we are still here in “sunny” Thornthwaite. The garden is a bit wet, though.

Although it has been bad for many, the road to the village remained passable, although Bass Lake did overflow onto the A66 causing that road to be closed for about 48hrs. There are problems with bridges in Keswick (as well as Cockermouth & Workington), with many staying closed to vehicles and pedestrians until they have all been checked by engineers. The main street in Cockermouth has been severely flood affected, including Wordsworth’s house. At one time there were two lifeboats in action on the main street in Cockermouth and three rescue helicopters lifting people from upstairs windows and roofs. Keswick got off relatively lightly, although there are many flooded homes & businesses. The town centre itself was largely unaffected. (Added 2 December – all Keswick bridges are now open, as are the main bridges in Cockermouth.)

Needless to say there is a massive effort taking place to check out the safety of properties and businesses and then the clean-up and repair process can commence.

Bassenthwaite Lake after the heavy rains viewed from Whinlatter Forest.

Thornthwaite is on the left of the photo above, and the village Church is in the centre foregound, surrounded by water. Bassenthwaite Lake has joined up with Derwentwater as last happened in 2005.

This short video was filmed on Friday morning.