Yesterday I probably told you, that weather permitting, Michael and I would be having a day out.
Where did we go? Well,the first weekend in September my DH and his walking club friends have a few days away socialising and walking, and this year it is to be in Alston. As it is only about an hour away from where we live in the Lake District, we decided to take a trip there and have lunch at the hotel they are going to stay in.
High up in the North Pennines, Alston claims to be the highest market settlement in England, being about 1000 feet above sea level. It is also remote, about 20 miles from the nearest town. From every direction Alston is approached over a broad, heather-cladded Pennine landscape which has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Set on the upper reaches of the River South Tyne, it lies within the Eden district of Cumbria.

Alston has a steep cobbled main street with a distinctive market cross, and many stone buildings dating from the 17th Century. It is a bustling town, with a reputation for delicious locally made specialities such as Cumberland Mustard and various cheeses.
After lunch and a chat with the genial barman we had a quick look around the town and then decided to visit a lovely garden centre on the way home.
It is such an amazing place with gorgeous flowers, shrubs and plants, many of them quite unusual. Here can also be found some really interesting garden statues and sculptures.... only wish I could afford them. Many of them cost hundreds of pounds. Oh well I can dream, and we did have a nice day out.