A History Lesson

This is an image of our Bastle. What's a Bastle I hear you ask? Answer, a fortified building found in Northumberland and built to keep out the Scots during the Border wars of some 400 years ago. This room is barrel vaulted, has six foot thick stone walls and was designed originally to keep the family wealth in...sheep and cattle! Obviously the family who owned the bastle originally were highly successful at keeping those Scots at bay. In fact the bastle houses the only Date Stone in Northumberland National Park.

The tales of the Border Reivers (Raiders), live on to this day, and the scroll you see on the wall tells just one of them, entitled Lock the door Lariston.

For more border tales, come and stay at Falstone Barns and capture yourself a piece of history!

Other Great Places To Fish!

Since the fishing season is under way, and we'd earned ourselves a well earned rest, we took off to the Kyles of Bute on the west coast of Scotland for a weekend break. Lucky escape by the sounds of it. As the rest of the country was battered with torrential rain, we enjoyed a couple of days of temperate climate, still waters, promenading along the shore of the loch and generally relaxing.

All of this helped along by a cordial welcome, courtesy of Hazel and Drew at the charming Hotel An Lochan, which lies on the shores of Tignabruich. After a couple of hours on a guided boat tour around the loch, with a bit of fishing, lots of local information and the icing on the cake...spotting families of seals basking in the sun on the rocks; we looked forward to a gourmet meal which exceeded our expectations in every respect.

How about a two centre break, a couple of nights at Falstone Barns, followed by a couple at An Lochan....Sounds like Heaven.

Did I tell you about Fishing At Falstone Barns?

The fishing season is under way, and here at Falstone Barns you can take full advantage of it by being able to fish on the best Salmon river in England, the North Tyne. From the banks of the river, here on the Farm, you can cast your line and enjoy a day at one with nature. Afterwards, no long journeys wending your way back home. You can enjoy a warm welcome in front of the fire right here and only a short walk across our fields, to where your luxurious holiday apartment awaits you. For more information, don't forget to register your e-mail address with falstone Barns.

Alice Through The Looking Glass

Apart from my love of this wildly fantastical tale, which I have shared with my children and others; Alice and her looking glass have an enduring appeal for me. I love the idea of peering into the glass and finding a whole new world on the other side. To this day, I have an enduring love of mirrors and Falstone Farmhouse is scattered with them.

Many catch you unawares, so you feel you may not be sure whether it is you. I am reminded of this fondness from today's reflection on the regular comings and goings at Falstone Barns, where glorious and spectacularly sourced mirrors await your pleasure and enjoyment. Take a step through the looking glass and discover whole new worlds!

Romance Inspires Me

Bathrooms were always a passion!
'Pamper Me' rooms are a must in all luxury accomodation.
You will receive the best of treatment at Falstone Barns.
Register now...The Pamper session begins here.

This suite holds special thoughts...When my darling Husband saw me flagging from the birth of number 1 son, he booked this place. This was the room we were dumped in, following the arrival of a husky voiced, infamous pop singer, who hails from Essex. Previously we were in a cheaper suite overlooking the fab restaurant, which Mr S Favoured. My enduring thought was that, whatever happened, we would all be happy with the result...This is how it should be done!

This was our view for breakfast...Something to wake up for

Luxury in a suite...Welcome very soon to Falstone Barns.

Would love to make this appear....We can dream on + a few degrees!

A welcoming entrance to Hotel Son Met in Majorca.
We would welcome you all to Falstone Barns in the spirit of the same....Only the best for you...

Today, a friend delivered a piece of history in a photograph, which recorded the recent history of the house...in the last 50 years. Here's one which delivers a bit more. The date stone is 1604. There has always been a Hall House here at Falstone Farm. This date stone reveals part of that history. It is also the only date stone in the National park in a private residence. The Farmhouse is a Robson enclave, that being the named family who finally ruled over this part of the North Tyne Valley. We still know their descendants to this day...and good friends they are....Always worth staying on the good side of a Robson!

Long Summer Days?

The weather's been a bit like this in Northumberland. Nevermind, those lazy summer days are on their way. The Pimms has been on ice for some time, the Gin and Tonic High Balls at the ready....what the hell crack them open now. We did on Sunday at Falstone Farm and shared hearty banter with good friends; whilst chidren played noisily on pedal bikes and bonny little girls chatted furiously about school discos. Join us at Falstone Farm for more of the same.

What Mood Are You In Today?

Today in Northumberland things are pretty blustery, however how about this scene for curling up in front of the fire with your favourite book and a warming toddy to fuel you. Falstone Farm on a snowy day. Join us at our fireside on a winter break. Register your e-mail at Falstone Barns

Where are we?

Cayman Islands, Mauritius, Seychelles?
No, this is coastal Northumberland. Come and share it with us at Falstone Barns.

Namesakes!

In an art gallery in Newcastle I discovered someone else who was inspired by Morocco and it's dramatic opulance. See: The Art Works Galleries for more inspiration.

Breaking News - Falstone Barns Website is Launched

A very warm welcome to Falstone Barns, register your interest in booking on falstonebarns.com You will receive a regular update on completion via the website and the blog and the warmest of welcomes to your very own place in the country.

What Do You Do When Your Rising Main Doesn't Meet Your Stop-Cock?

Answer...Call your builder who provides you with more valuable thought bubbles, such as walks on cold winter nights to houses where friends meet, to celebrate life. Here paths cross to become inextricably linked. Raise your glass to romantic builders and celebrate Northumberland!

Woke at 0500, it gets light so early these days. Made myself a cup of tea and went to sit where I like to think, in the Bastle of the Farmhouse. Staring up at the ceiling of the 400 year old vaulted room gave me a sense of being a very small cog in the wheel of history. As the children say...chill!

What about this!

Another Beauty - A Place to Fish

Sunday Afternoon - A Thing of Beauty!

Once builders have retreated down the valley in their vans of various shapes and sizes on a Friday afternoon, it's time to pour a glass of wine...chilled white and very, very, dry; draw breath and admire the achievements of the week. In this case, no man made effort measured up to this Thing of beauty! Living in this part of Northumberland, the North Tyne Valley, means that we can enjoy the pleasures of wild nature all the time. Hope you will join us at Falstone Barns to share this with us.
For another slant on gardens check out : David Suff

So Do We!

Living remotely in Northumberland makes me more aware of my natural surroundings...all of it on my doorstep. Simon Fraser has more to say.
Oh yes, we have lillies in the forest.

Oh I Wish It Were Christmas!

I know it's summer but I have to tell you what a magical place this is come Christmas. Just along the road from the barns at Kielder Lake the area is transformed into a Winter Wonderland with elves in the forest leading children to visit Mrs Claus in her house. There's ice skating, games and parties. It's become so popular you have to buy tickets way in advance.
Unfortunately it isn't being publicised for this year as yet but go here and see just what happens.

Other Toilet Site Options

Spinning Around

22:45, children are in bed....this was my day. Enrique sums things up rather beautifully don't you think ?

Why Would I Put a Toilet There?

Second fix of bathrooms is always traumatic...not least when you thought you'd decided to site the loo in a discreet position and the plumber, always a proud exponant of his trade wants to feature it as the piece de resistance of the room.

This is my dilemma at the end of a day's work on the Barns...Note to builder...Construct floor to ceiling toilet roll holder!

Rooms With a View

The view from the Barns looking amazing...guess the season!

Day 1 - Ground Zero

Believe it or not, I've now managed to conquer the internet with the help of my good friend Di Overton of Designers Block.

My First Post

Welcome to Raising The Barns an online diary of the conversion of 3 barns surrounding a courtyard in the grounds of my farmhouse in Northumberland.
I will be presenting a day to day diary of life down on the farm, surrounded by builders and chaos whilst project managing a development of 3 derelict barns into 5 divine luxury holiday homes.
A husband who works in the city during the week comes home on Friday night to tales of woe and amazing achievement, two children who need ferrying from one remote place to another live with their mother during a week of what can only be called multi tasking choas. Put all these together and you will find a melting pot of humour and sometimes utter desperation.
I need an outlet for my frustrations and elations so this is to be it. Stay tuned.