"Carrying coals to Newcastle"

Tiny 10 cm coal tit on our walk around the National Trust's Gibside today. 

If you have never visited it, Gibside is an 18th Century estate which was designed to stun the guests of George Bowes, who made his riches from the local coal mines. It still impresses today with its half a mile long "avenue" which stretches from the chapel to the column of liberty, its stables and banqueting house (Gothic folly) and acres of woods and grounds. It's lovely to stroll around on a day like today. although ,once again, it was very icy underfoot. 

His daughter, Mary Eleanor, inherited Gibside and a great deal of wealth (between £80 - 150 million in today's money!) but married a man who subject her to emotional and physical abuse and violence and squandered her riches. A few years ago, I read "Wedlock" all about her life which I would definitely recommend. 

I came home and cooked some dishes ready for the week ahead whilst hubby dismantled the dryer and fixed the motor and fitted a new drum shaft and bearings.