Nothing ventured

It all started this morning, as I was taking a little break from unpacking, washing, clearing up, and found what I had been looking for and the start of an adventure. 

I have been searching for a small, collectors’ shelving unit, I am giving no more details for obvious reasons at this time of year, and I spied online, and quite by chance, one that looked just right. I tracked it down and noticed that it was described as being handcrafted in North Cumbria. I was intrigued, burrowed further and came up with Bread & Jam, a little company located north of Carlisle. Their website is great. 

I sensed an adventure.

We were going to Carlisle anyway and so we left the washing and unpacking and all the other things that needed doing and we set off to find these people. The website didn’t say there was a shop, it looked to be all online, but it did mention a workshop that was always open. We couldn’t not go, could we!

We located the village and the post code, but then we were stuck as this was in the ‘back of beyond debatable lands’ with sparse population and lots of lanes leading who knows where. (I didn’t have a phone number). Gordon’s Ordinance Survey Map App came to the rescue as it had the name of the house marked. We got to where we needed to turn right - Road Closed - ignored that and went on. The turn left we wanted was the right one, but it was an unmade track and looked a bit dicey. We took it anyway and rattled along until we came to some buildings, mostly in a state of dilapidation. One house looked hopeful, but there didn’t seem to be any sign of life at all. Then I spied a cabin (see blip), which is how they described their workshop.

I got out to investigate. I was not very hopeful, as it all looked very quiet, and then suddenly a door opened and I was welcomed in. There were two delightful people and there was obviously a lot of work being done. I don’t think they get many visitors, but they were very friendly, a bit amazed I think that we found them. We chatted and they told us about their little venture and how they were snowed under with orders for all the things they make. I saw what I wanted and loved it. One was ordered and will be delivered. 

Then we went shopping. Everything else will be done tomorrow.