Here we are again, our second autumn at Temple Croft B&B. As a family, we’ve always really enjoyed Hallowe’en, festooning the house with pumpkin lanterns and spooky decorations, partying (or at least dressing up) and frightening the sh*t out of any young revellers brave enough to seek sweet treats at the door. However, with the grim spectre of coronavirus and it’s terrible implications hanging over us all, this year’s Hallowe’en celebrations will be muted at best. 

Still, best not to dwell: instead we’ll fill you in on what we’ve been up to for the past few months, both inside and outside the house.

Autumn and Hallowe’en: mists and mellow fruitfulness

In the garden, we’ve seen the delicate lilac autumn crocuses come and go and the magnificent beech trees turn to bronze and gold. In the kitchen, we are fortifying ourselves with hearty soups (marigold soup from Mary Berry’s Simple Comforts is a new favourite) and stews ; in the breakfast room, we’ve sparked up the big log burner to deliver warmth and luminescent comfort as the chilly, damp evenings draw in.

We have had a busy summer, despite the obvious setbacks this year has thrown at all of us, with plenty of painting and redecorating. Our vegetable garden and greenhouse, despite a late start, have delivered on lovely home-grown produce that we have used in dishes for ourselves and our guests. Next year, we aim to expand the range of fruit, vegetables and herbs that we grow – a delicious way to further reduce our carbon footprint.

Notable successes this year were our rocket (star overperformer) and lettuces; the tomatoes and cucumbers less so, but still OK. Next year, with an earlier start, we expect a greater yield still. Sadly, the courgettes, squashes and pumpkins have not fared so well (turned to mush, in fact), possibly due to the high rainfall and cool temperatures we experienced this summer. We still have leeks, cabbage and spinach growing, which we hope will overwinter.

Herb-wise we have learnt that basil and coriander hate to get wet and cold, but that parsley, dill and mint don’t mind a bit. We have also been told by a guest from the US that Alston has a great climate for blueberries – so watch this space. 

In the cellar, alongside the chest freezer and spiders (real, not Hallowe’en decorations), we have demijohns of blackberry and raspberry vodka and sloe gin doing their thing. The former may or may not be ready for Xmas/New Year; the latter is certainly a longer-term project. A Christmas treat for 2021, perhaps?

In the meantime, our builder has given us a recipe for “turbo cider”, which can be ready to drink in four weeks, apparently. Its preparation involves litres of apple juice, strong tea, sugar and yeast, and its ABV ranges from 7.5 to 11 per cent. . . Pass the paracetamol!

We’d also like to take this opportunity of saying many thanks to the few intrepid guests who have stayed with us in our now fully refurbished Yew Tree triple room. It was wonderful to have their support and lovely feedback and gave us the opportunity to hone our hosting skills on single families with private dining. The great comments on the room, our breakfast range and “What’s in the pot?” evening meals have made us feel incredibly positive about the future.

New Alston walk 

Further afield, Kirkhaugh footbridge over the South Tyne has been rebuilt after being washed away in a flood several years ago.  While exploring the area, we discovered a lovely circular walk that takes in sections of the South Tyne Trail and Isaac’s Tea Trail. The weather was perfect as we crossed the smart new bridge, glorious autumnal sunshine and a soft breeze creating a rich dappled light through the trees and along the raging river.

We soon came across and explored the exterior of the Church of the Holy Paraclete in Kirkhaugh, a haven of peace and spirituality in the remote depths of the countryside. Rebuilt in the 19^th century, the Victorian building boasts a very unusual thin needle spire. However, the original church dates from the 13^th century, and a Saxon cross in the lovely churchyard suggests a much earlier religious presence.

Back at Temple Croft, as winter approaches we must now close our doors once more and complete all renovation and redecoration so that the we will be fully ready for our “second coming” in early 2021.

Wonder if we’ll get any kids knocking the door for a socially distanced Hallowe’en this year? Better get the pumpkins carved and sweets bought, just in case. . .

Laters alligators,                                  

AC/PC