Life's a bowl of cherries...here at Falstone Barns

At last we've arrived...at least the website has. We're well on our way to completion and plan to launch the Barns project on 7 December 2007. Big party bash planned...All welcome...

The theme is Christmas in the Courtyard!

Think Prague with your best friends...

Think St Petersburg, with your most cultured.

Think Falstone Barns with your most cherished!

Better still, don't think...just be!

Watch out, Falstone Barns is coming to entranse you!

Here's Another Stone...

This is the Reivers Cursing Stone. Legend has it that the mere recall of the curse would put a blight on the household contained within, so evil and dire that the consequences do not bare thinking about. I won't have the curse told in the house, and frankly I think I'm taking a chance even discussing it with you!

But this is all part of the rich history of living in charmed and superstitious Northumberland. Come and join us and be charmed...at http://www.falstonebarns.com

Boots, Shoes And More Boots...

These boots were definately not made for walking, however walking is what you can do till your heart's content at Falstone Barns. Choose from a gentle meander around the village, about 2 miles, or up into the hills, 10 miles or more.

What about Hadrians Wall, in parts or as a whole. At Falstone Barns, we can offer you staged walking. A drop off at your starting point and a pick up at your journey's end. This could mean a week long venture...day by day walking the wall; or just a meander between your chosen spots. Either way you're assured of the most courteous service and fun with it!

Then at your day's end, the luxurious surroundings of your own holiday apartment space; to chat about the day's events, over a glass of wine from your own special supply in your apartment. Maybe a soothing massage from our fully qualified Masseuse would help you unwind. Either way, the menu is pure bliss, so....Join us at http://www.falstonebarns.com and give your boots their walk!

Anyone for Camping?

A couple of weeks ago, some good friends and I went on a bus journey and the subject of camping arose. Some had and some hadn't. I for one have never been one for pitching my tent out there in the open wilds of nature. Not because the open wilds of nature don't appeal, but simply because it strikes me as odd that in this 21st Century when we can beam pictures from one end of the world to another in less than a second and have conversations in almost the same amount of time; we haven't progressed in the tent department beyond the stage of three losely driven pegs supporting even looser canvas which has no effect on keeping out the elements and is prone to grow wings and fly at the soonest gust!

But then I discovered these at www.exotictents.com. Come and pitch your tent with us at www.falstonebarns.com and discover luxury under one roof!

The Elephant Tree!

This huge ash caused us great consternation before it was felled. Number one, we did not look forward to it's demise but crucially number two, neither did we wish to see it destroy one of the barns. In the end we took the decision. The Ash had to go. What emerged however, just as the phoenix from the ashes, was this elephant...from the Ash!

Come and enjoy it pass by your room at Falstone Barns.

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

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!

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.