England. May to September 2018
3. Woodend, Lake District.
We travelled up to The Lake District 4 times during our stay in the UK, each time stopping at Woodend, Paul & Jella's place between Eskdale and Ulpha. Some of the time we were looking after their house and 4 self catering cottages while they were away but we also spent time with them while they were there. As usual Paul had a few tasks that Kevin was able to help him out with.
Pizza
Having finished most of the conservatory (the Sitouterie as it's called) earlier this year Paul decided to build a pizza oven. On our first visit Kevin helped him to cover it with a layer of insulating mat and then a thick layer of vermiculite.
Once it was ready to use Paul made his own pizza dough and we all had a go at making and cooking pizzas - they were fantastic - the best we've tasted! The dough was surprisingly easy to make into a thin base, we then added various toppings and then slid it into the oven. It only took between 60 and 90 seconds to cook them.
Kevin adding the topping for a pizza.
Jellas using the board to put the pizza in the oven.
A pizza cooking in the oven.
We made 4 different pizzas - all delicious!
Local Walks
As usual we went on a few walks in the area, usually taking Gracie, Jella's dog, with us. A couple of times we walked to the top of Devoke Seat, which only takes just over half an hour from Woodend. The second time we took Gracie with us.
Devoke water is below us with the Irish Sea in the distance and The Isle of Man on the horizon.
One afternoon Jella, Gracie and I walked to the top of Stanley Ghyll waterfall.
A walk along the Duddon Valley.
The fells behind Woodend with Scafell in the distance.
The RIver Dudden with the Ulpha bridge in the distance.
Paul's Party
On our second visit at the end of June Paul had a invited lots of friends to his birthday party - which was why he's wanted to get the pizza oven completed. We had great weather, good company, fab pizzas and a huge paella to share.
Sitouterie
This is now the main sitting and eating area in the house. What a fab addition.
Jella and Kevin adding a bench seat to the Sitouterie.
A meal in the Sitouterie.
The view from the Sitouterie.
Sunset.
Breakfast / Gin Terrace
After compketing the Sitouterie Paul had stones put down on the narrow stretch of garden and a raised area made at the far end.
Paul enjoying breakfast on the terrace.
The view from the terrace.
Vegetable Garden
Paul and Jella always have plenty of home grown veg.
Doing some weeding in the raised beds.
Checking out the irrigation in the poly tunnel.
Family Visit
In July we spent a week at Woodend while Paul and Jella went to the Cropready Music Festival. While they were there Catherynn (our niece), her husband, Hayden, and their boys,Conah and Nathan came for 3 days. The boys spent most of the time fishing in Devoke Water - they didn't catch anything but had a great time. One day Kevin, Catherynn and I walked around the lake while they were fishing.
Conah and Nathan fishing by the boathouse while the rest of us watch.
Hayden and Conah trying their hand at fly fishing.
Devoke Water from the far end - the boathouse is just visible in the distance.
Goats keeping an eye on us.
Another view of Devoke Water with Woodend in the distance.
Enjoying the view.
Music in Ulpha
Our last visit to Woodend was at the end of August as we wanted to go to the Music in Uplha Folk evening to watch the Gerry Colvin Band. Gerry stayed at Woodend for 3 nights and the rest of the band for just 1 night. Sadly the weather wasn't good so they didn't see the fantastic views but they all loved the accomodation, remoteness and welcome by Paul and Jella at Woodend.
Last updated: February 2021