Preston Mill

Our day out began with coffee at the Smeaton Nurseries, which recently met with the approval of Miss Flum and which never disappoints. Their warm fruit scones are without equal.

A short distance from there is Preston Mill, the wheel recently restored and now seen working (although we did not take the tour today, having been a couple of years ago). We wandered over to the weir then across the River Tyne to the barley field, part of the John Muir Way. The path edge is bordered by flowers - meadow cranesbill, ragwort, mallow, vetch - and a few poppies. I liked this poppy so have made it the main photo, extra 1 of the mill from the most popular viewpoint, by the ford.

On an indirect way home we called in at Fenton Barns and discovered a super company that makes 3-D cards and models, (see extra 2 of a few examples with a laser-cutting machine used for demonstration in the front shop).
Retired from teaching, designer Andy Cox started the business to raise funds for, and now supports, children worldwide through Compassion UK. The pieces are precision-cut, so fit together without the need for glue, flat-packed and just the size of a postcard, so can be easily sent through the post, there is even online guidance should difficulties arise. Naturally, we bought some for our upcoming family birthdays.

We explored another shop there and then the café, leaving before the forecast rain arrived - which it did not, the entire day has been one of cloud, sunshine and pleasant warmth.