Dartington Crystal

Dartington Crystal has been making glass in Torrington for forty years now. They have a lovely visitors centre, a huge shop and a restuarant that sells fresh, made on the premises, food. We spent a couple of hours here today, mostly 'doing' stuff. There are factory tours where you can see wine glasses, vases, etc being made and the bonus is that kids go free! Having said that, the visitors centre is set up with activities for the children to do that will hit your wallet more than an entrance fee might have done.

Today I took four children, my three and a friend: three decided they would paint a glass, and one wanted to make a necklace. Both activities cost �5 per person. The glass painting was fun, and took about 30 mins. They have to paint on an outline, then heat it, then paint the glass and heat it again. The necklace making took slightly less time but was fiddly and definately required adult help. My recommendation would be to paint the glass then leave it drying while you do the factory tour.

The factory tour is not so much a tour as a walk through two rooms on an elevated corridor. The first room is the most interesting. You get to see the whole process from taking the molten glass out of the furnace to blowing and shaping it and then the final product going off somewhere to be finished. All four children watched in fascination before declaring that they wanted to be glassmakers when they left school! The second room is just a packing room. The kids weren't impressed with that.

Other activities we didn't have a go at today were glass blowing, and making a hand cast in glass. We've done the hand casting before. It's a great keepsake, but it is popular so you have to book that one.

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Tapely Park Gardens

It's Bank Holiday Monday and the weather man got it wrong. It didn't rain! So we seized the oportunity to go out for a few hours in between late Spring cleaning and ended up here at Tapely Park. I have driven past the entrance to this house more times than I can count and this is the first time I have ever been in. It's situated on the top of a hill just outside Instow and the views out over the estuary are stunning.

In its advertising Tapely Park describes itself as a sustainable stately home in the making. I'll have to take its word for it, I spotted little evidence, but then I wasn't really looking. It cost �4 for adults and �2.50 for children, so is relatively inexpensive, but then it doesn't really have that much to offer. It's a nice walk around the gardens and there are a few cows, sheep and pigs to look at but that's about it.

We started our visit with a walk around the lake, which was quite pretty, then went on to explore the formal gardens. The tea rooms are quite pleasant, and the cakes very yummy. Then it was off to find the play area. When they said 'tucked away' they really meant it, but the kids had fun once we found it and it was sheltered enough for my husband to lie down in the sun and go to sleep!

Before we went home we tried to find the monument, erected in memory of one of only three officers to survive the charge of the light brigade (I had to smile when I read that he was killed in another battle only ten days later - sorry). But a distinct lack of sign posting meant we had to give up. We could see it in the distance, trooped across a field full of thistles and horse poo, found a gate into a field full of sheep but with no obvious path across. Shame really, cos the monument used to have a granite obelisk on it, but when it was shattered by a thunderbolt in 1931 they make a labyrinth out of the pieces. It looked quite nice in the brochure - just too far away.

Teenage Moose

Springtime is often when I get to see what I call teen-age moose. These are the young ones who have just been sent off to be on their own. They are sleek, muscled, and they have long lanky legs. That is one reason that they remind me of teenagers. The other reason is that when I encounter them on the road, much like new young drivers, they don't always know what to do! If it is night-time, they seem to get confused and veer around on the road in front of me. I always stop when I encounter a moose on the road, and I find it helps if I turn my lights down to low beam, or even to parking lights for a moment. This seems to help the moose get its bearings and then figure out how to get off the roadway. Then I can turn my lights back up and continue on my way. Last Wednesday morning, we were headed down the trail towards town, and spotted these two teens in the road. Fortunately, we had the camera ready, and Robert snapped this photo before they headed in to the woods.

On the way home, I spotted a small bear on the edge of the Mayhew swamp. He, too, looked like a young one that had been bumped from the homestead, to make way for the new little cubs. It has been a while since I saw a bear in the woods, doing what bears should do. It was a good thing to see.

Memorial Weekend

Ready or not, here it comes! With Memorial Weekend here, that means that summer is just around the corner. How did we get here so fast? Does that feeling have something to do with the last three weeks? How could it not.....Here at Heston's, we all are feeling like a number of calendar days disappeared. Many years ago, I got a chuckle out of Cousin Myrl losing track of one week when he was trying to finish a project and head back to Arizona. Now I know what it feels like.

Immediately after our return, Greg continued with the brush clearing that he had started literally moments before boarding the bus to drive out of here on May 10. He had seen firsthand, up at the end of the Trail, how the clearing of brush and dead branches from larger trees could make the difference in the way a fire burns through an area. For the next several days, we all piled the small trees and brush that he had cut down, and it will be hauled away to the brush pit once it is re-opened. The view is a little clearer around here in some areas, but it means that our buildings and land are in a much better position should another forest fire come through. This is a photo of the brush-clearing party last Saturday, in the snow.

The Firewise program, for the last several years, has been distributing information on ways to make property more defensible in the case of wildfire. Clearing brush from around the buildings and in between larger trees is one way. Metal roofs on buildings are another. Stacks of firewood against buildings are a no-no. These are just a few examples. When the fire was burning on the Canadian side and we were in the process of evacuating, Greg cut down some trees that were very near to buildings, including a white pine in front of the screen porch. For years, he has been planting little trees each spring, and he has worked hard to nurture the white pines that were evident in the early days after the blowdown. Though it must have been difficult for him, he felt it was necessary to cut that large white pine, if by doing so it would help to protect the lodge. Fortunately, we have a batch of new little tree seedlings safely stored in a cool spot, just waiting to be planted.

We've also been busy with getting things opened up and ready for summer rentals. Boats and motors are on the beach, we've been tackling the window washing and other cleaning, all the docks are in the water---it feels like it's getting back to a regular routine. Once again, I hesitate to use the word normal......

Robert has flown back to Alaska, arriving in Fairbanks early this morning. He called a little while ago and told me that after his plane landed at about 1:15 a.m., and his roommate brought him home, they stayed up until 3 a.m. Why? I asked. Because it never got dark last night, he answered. In the two weeks that he had been gone, the sun kept creeping higher, so that they are once again experiencing nearly round-the-clock daylight. This is a first for Robert to see. He arrived in Fairbanks in September, when things were starting to get dark. He made it through the winter darkness and now gets to have the benefit of so much light. I hope to see that one day.

He got home in time to go back to the airport this evening to pick up his sister, Addie, when she flies in. Once again, she is spending six weeks in Eagle, with Grandma Sharlene and Jim. She will be doing some tour-guiding for the Eagle Historical Society, and visiting with her friends up there. Two weeks ago, she wasn't sure that it would all work out for her to take the trip. We're all very happy that it did.

So far the weekend has been cool, and a bit rainy. We don't mind. The forecast ahead contains some sunshine and warmer days, and that is good, too. It's time to be putting in a garden, to once again have fresh lettuce and other veggies to enjoy throughout the summer. Things are growing all around us---the wildflowers are starting to pop up, fiddleheads and ferns are everywhere. We've even been seeing bright green grasses in the areas that were burned over. Green is a lovely color right about now.

With the end of the Trail re-opened, it feels like we're all geared up here, hoping for a good summer. Come on up, if you can, to see for yourself that things are doing just fine. A few views have temporarily changed, but soon those, too, will be covered in green. It's all part of nature's way, and I, for one, am interested in seeing what the next sights are on this path.

Finally--Some Photos

When I try to put photos together with text, inevitably I get sidetracked. So for now, here are some photos.

The two images above were taken by Paul, on Wednesday, May 9th. The Ham Lake Fire had been burning since Saturday, May 4. It had started west of us, had moved up the Trail to Seagull and Sag, and on this day, as part of the fire-fighting operations, a burn-out procedure was planned. This was to burn out fuels on the north and west side of Gunflint and Magnetic Lakes. By doing so, the fire team hoped to keep the fire from roaring down to the populated areas of these two lakes. These photos were taken at about seven p.m., after the burn had begun.

The next two photos were taken on the afternoon of Thursday, May 10--our very rough day. Greg was working with Mark Darling, running propane tanks from the fill station to the sprinkler systems. Mark Dexter and his son Nathan were working with Paul to put up some sprinkler heads on some of our buildings. Addie was making lunch for the guys, and I was trying to pack stuff, in case we were evacuated, as well as answer the phone, and get a cabin ready in anticipation of more fire guys coming that night. When we saw the flames on the Canadian side, we had to pause to take pictures and watch the unimaginable scene unfolding in front of us.

The sky was dark with all of the thick black smoke. The lake was wild with the northwest wind that was blowing. We could see and hear airplanes, which were scooping water to drop on the fire. Then the deputy sheriff came by, shortly before two, and we learned that there was a mandatory evacuation order for Gunflint and Loon Lakes. Greg heard about it while he was on the Trail, and so he came home as quickly as he could.

Here is a picture of him checking on our fire pump, before we left.

The smoke was very thick on the north side, but it was still clear on the south side.

Addie left a with Tim and Maureen, and Greg, Paul and I finished packing. I snapped some pictures, to remember what it was all like at that moment. The picture below is a shot of the sauna, as the smoke settled in on our side.

The next photo was taken Wednesday, May 16, when we returned to the lodge in the early evening. What a difference one week can make.

And finally, here is a view from the dock, also taken on Wednesday evening. The lake and the sky look a whole lot better. Unfortunately, the view of Canada has changed. The hills are blackened. But down near shore, there are pockets of green. Robert tells me that it is a mix of cedar and red pines trees .

We just got word that Gunflint Lake will once again be open for water travel at midnight tonight. Great news! This means that we will soon be able to boat down the lake to see how the east end is looking. I'll be sure to pack my camera.

Home Again to Gunflint Lake

We're home, and it's beautiful.

It was about five o'clock that I pulled in. The drive up the trail was a quiet one. The roadblocks were lifted at noon, so I think that most people had already arrived at their homes and cabins. I noticed that the trees had really leafed out in my absence, and everything was looking pretty much like I remembered when I left almost a week ago.

Then I neared Iron Lake, and saw the area where the fire crossed the Gunflint Trail. Yes, it was black, and yes, I did see trees standing that were totally burned. It reminded me of burned out areas that I have seen on trips out west, where many more forest fires occur each year. It was my first chance to see the remains of the Ham Lake Fire, and it was up close.

When I got home, and looked across the lake, that was personal. I can see that a forest fire went through. But I can also see pockets of trees. This must be what they mean when they say that the fire burned in a mosaic pattern. I imagine from the sky that it is a lot more evident. Since it was late afternoon, the sun wasn't shining directly on the north shore. So tomorrow will bring another view of it.

As I mentioned before, I have lots to say about all of this. Now that we are back home, I will have better access to the computer, and I hope to begin to tell the story of what happened, and also to share the changes that I know we will be seeing in the days to come. I'll do my best to describe just what is happening, and when I can, I will share photos.

Once again, I cannot even begin to say thank you in an adequate way to each and everyone of you for all of your support throughout this time. I will begin to answer emails tomorrow, as well as tell the stories.

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Suposed to Be the Monday Update

Good Morning!

This was supposed to post last night, but I couldn't get it to work. Here I am trying again....


For a few minutes there, I was afraid that I wouldn't get to post! My fingers are very at home with a needle, be it sewing, knitting, whatever. But put me on a laptop and I am all thumbs!

I apologize for posting so late, but it ended up to be a very busy day. We moved to the campground in town, late this afternoon. Our new home away from home, and soon to be office, too. The cell phone is charging, and I hope that tomorrow we will once again be accessible by phone. I will be having our phone calls forwarded to the cell phone, and you may not get me right away, but please leave me a message. My two teenagers will help me retrieve the messages and I will call you back. As soon as I am comfortable enough with the phone, I will be better at answering it! I know all this sounds quite lame for these modern times, but you all know me--I'd much rather be baking pizza and bread in the wood fired oven then learning these new skills! At any rate, it seems that someone found a way for me to come up to speed and join the real world, so here I am. And I'm not even kicking and screaming.

The fire guys had a good day today. They were able to work some more on containment lines, though I didn't hear a new percentage figure. The fire did grow in Canada, so the new size is now 74,800 acres. We got some rain last night, and that helped to cool areas off, which in turn makes it easier to work in the fire area. The fire has burned some areas in a mosaic pattern, so that means that patches of green do remain.

Our neighbor Bob Baker Sr. had to go up to the lake, and he reported other that when driving down the South Gunflint Lake Road, you would not know that there was a fire. It is still green as ever. Imagining that is such a relief.

The latest word is that it will still be several days before we are able to get back in to the area. Naturally, this is a disappointment for many. But we trust that they are making the right decisions and we dig deeper into the well of patience for what lies ahead.

I'm sorry that this is a short post tonight, but I will make up for it soon--perhaps even tomorrow. Paul and Addie have their assignments for the day all lined up, and I will be trying to catch up on my work---not quite "business as usual" but closer than it has been in many days.
Postscript: I am using WiFi at the Gunflint Tavern, and whatever they are cooking, it sure smells good! And I'm not even hungry!

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Sunday Update

Today could be another turning point day. It is hard to judge what the weather is doing at home from my perch here at the community center in Grand Marais. The sun was out early, but now it is getting cloudy. I don't think that it will bring rain.

Greg and Robert left after church to go back up the trail. They have received permission from the sheriff's department to travel up there and assist the local volunteer fire department. Many hands are needed to keep the sprinkler systems running. As the propane tanks run out, they must be swapped with refills. Greg and Mark Darling were doing this on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (until evac time). They would drive around on their designated route, grab tanks, bring them to a refill station further up the Trail, and then return them to systems. Robert will now be with Greg for this task. Mark has stayed up the Trail from the beginning, doing all sorts of jobs with the fire department.

They did get the okay to go in to our lodge yesterday. They found that Shar's house and the rustics had been set up with a sprinkler system. The lodge and our cabins still had only the basic systems that Mark and Nathan Dexter and Paul had put up on Thursday. Greg talked to a few people working nearby, in hopes that we could get a few extra sprinkler systems like Sharlene's. The coverage was much more adequate then what we originally were using. Whether that has been done, I don't know. I'll know more tonight after Greg calls me.

The fire fighters are continuing to use Spruce cabin to sleep in during the day. They are part of the night crew that first stayed with us on Tuesday. Greg found a note on the counter that they are writing on each day to let us know who is staying there and when. I take this as a really good sign. If they are writing to me, they expect that I will be able to read it once I'm back home. It also means that a fire truck is parked right there each day.

The daily briefing brought us the news of 15% containment of the fire. This includes the north side of Gunflint Lake. It is cooling off considerably on that side. Today's work is to fight against the southeast winds, with much effort concentrated in the Gunflint/Loon Lakes area. At the same time, other crews are working to strengthen fire lines on the other side, because tomorrow the winds are predicted to be from the northwest. We heard at the meeting this morning that the Incident Command people have ordered up that both those winds---the southeast and the northwest--come at the same time and blow against each other---think it can be arranged? That brought a chuckle from everyone. It is so important for us to keep our sense of humor intact. In addition to everyone's thoughts and prayers, it is another part of the picture that really keeps us going.

It's Monday tomorrow, and I really have to get back to work. I am hoping to set up a temporary office out of the bus, and try to get back to a sense of "business as usual", at least as far as the deskwork is concerned. And Paul and Addie need to get back to their schoolwork, to finish out the year. Addie is due to go join Shar and Jim in Alaska at the end of the month. Even more important, Paul needs to finish his schoolwork so that he can graduate. We're navigating in a new situation, but you know us---if nothing else, we can be really flexible.

To all of the moms---Happy Happy Mother's Day! We need something good to celebrate!

Talk to you again soon.

Barb

Ilfracombe Aquarium

The long dreary winter days are over (not that you'd know it from the weather today) and I'm back and blogging, having missed all the glorious early summer sun over Easter by being in wet and windy Florida! (I kid you not!)

The torrential downpour outside today nearly kept us in but we decided instead to visit an indoor attraction - Ilfracombe Aquarium. It's not what is says on the tin! Although the leaflet I'd picked up said it was the best small aquarium this 'guy' had visited I wasn't expecting it to be quite so small! If you happen to be in Ilfracombe and have nothing better to do then it might be worth the �10 family ticket to get in, but when the journey there is longer than the time it takes to walk round then it probably isn't! It is nicely set out and takes you on a journey from the source of the local rivers, Exmoor, down to the coast and out to Lundy island, but the tanks of fish are quite small and you have to squash through the spaces in between too.

On a slightly upbeat note, once back in the car and munching crisps, we did vote it better than Quince Honey Farm!

May 12 Update

For almost the whole of last week, the list of chores to complete was so long, we didn't even bother to write it down. We just ran from one thing to the next, be it bed-changing for fire fighters, washing sheets and towels, thinking about what to pack if we were to have to evacuate--and then of course, actually having to do that very thing---you get the idea. Until Thursday afternoon, it was go go go, and with an incredible sense of urgency. Yesterday, our first day in town after evacuation, we tried to take care of the basics, make the phone calls, and get our thoughts together. Now, after a better night of sleep, here I am with energy and not a lot to do.

When the fire first started, it made a major run to Round Lake on Saturday, and then on Sunday, it roared its way up to the end of the Trail. For the next couple of days, it calmed down some, but then did a run back through the Seagull--Sag area. By Wednesday, the decision was made to do the burn-out procedure on Magnetic and west of Gunflint. This was a move intended to provide a large area with reduced fuels, as the wind was predicted to be back up, and coming from the northwest on Thursday. We know that it was not an easy decision to make, to plan and execute a controlled burn like that. But we also know that it was the best thing to do in the face of as wild a fire as this one is. As I mentioned before, we have complete trust in these people, as they are THE BEST.

On Thursday, we nervously watched the lake, the sky, and what the wind was up to. Our good friend Mark was up, with his son Nathan, and along with Paul, they were doing their best to install some sprinkler heads in a few strategic places around the property. These are more of the good people that I spoke of yesterday---Mark and Nathan finally left just before we did, so in a sense, they are evacuees, too.

The worst thing about Thursday was that the fire went dancing with the wind, and roared down the Canadian side of the Granite River. That brought it to Gunflint Lake. The things that I saw that afternoon are just too horrible to write about now, knowing what we do about the losses. It just isn't possible.

Yesterday and today have both been quieter days on the fire, giving the fire fighters opportunities to once again work toward the upper hand against Mother Nature. But it also means that another roar could be just ahead. Once again, bad winds are predicted for tomorrow, this time from the southeast. Another burn-out operation is planned for today, again to try to take away potential fuels from the fire in the direction that it could run if the winds come as predicted. There is no rest against this thing.

We are doing fine, camped out here as we are. Paul and Addie are spending time with Cassidy today, after shouldering the burden of the incredible amounts of work placed on them. Greg and Robert are actually up the Trail today. They were asked to assist with a food delivery to Tuscarora with Sue Ahrendt. With well over five hundred people working and living on the trail, the resorts and outfitters that are not in vulnerable areas are busy helping to feed and house the fire fighters.

I'm fine, too, most grateful to be free of crutches as we did all the recent work. I just got off of them on the Thursday before the fire started. But what I really want to know is, Who gave me the weekend off?? And what the heck am I supposed to do with it?!

More later.

Ham Lake Fire Update 5/11/07

If you are ever in a crisis, you want to be with the kind of people who are surrounding us now: The folks actively fighting the fire--bless their efforts and keep them safe; the spokespeople keeping us informed as to what is happening; the neighbors on the Trail, in town, in the county; the many, many people--friends, family and loved ones, keeping us all in their thoughts and prayers. YOU ALL ARE SO AMAZING and we are so very grateful. Words cannot express it.

To say that it's been a busy and tense week is a little understated. Eight years ago, the blowdown and clean-up were stressful. Our forest fires in the following years were also stressful. Now I'm learning that those were the training grounds for this point in time. It has been a tough week, but for whatever reason, this is where God wants us to be right now, and that is where we are hanging out. Even amidst the dark times, we are grateful for the fact that we are all together, everyone is safe, and no one has been killed by this fire.

There is so much to say, but I will have to post the information in pieces. The most important stuff first--We evacuated safely on Thursday afternoon. Word came in at two p.m. Addie left with friends at 2:45, and Greg, Paul and I were out by 3:30. The guys were in the bus, and I was in the car behind. I snapped pictures as I went, and eventually will be sharing some of them here. We headed to Grand Marais, where Robert met us. He and Ben had hopped a red eye flight out of Fairbanks, Alaska on Wednesday night. They landed in Minneapolis on Thursday morning, met Ben's grandpa at the airport for a ride to Hinckley. They borrowed a truck there and headed up to the North Shore. For the time being, we are camped out with Greg's brother Jeff, sister-in-law Susan, and nephew Cassidy. They are wonderful to take in bus people like us!

Moses and Jethro rode out in style on Wednesday evening, thanks to Jeff and Susan. The donkeys are currently residing in the pasture at Greg's sister Geri's place, happily eating hay. It was good to have them leave early, and not be a worry.

Since I have yet to join the 21st century in yet another way--cell phones--I don't have an alternate phone number for you to reach us. That may change, and if it does, I will post it here. In the meantime, we are keeping close tabs on our email: info@hestons.com. You can write to us, and I will do my best to reply, but it may take some time. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

It is Friday afternoon as I write this, and to this point, we believe that Heston's Lodge remains intact. We first heard this last night about 10:30. I know that we all slept a little better with that information in hand. Our chapter is not over, unfortunately, because the wind is still blowing. It has changed direction again, and so we continue to wait, watch and pray.

All through the week, as the fire progressed, we fielded phone calls about what was happening at the moment, and what to expect next. The first part we tried to answer as best we could. The second part wasn't as easy. Fire has a mind of its own, and we could try for some predictions, but we really just didn't know. If we were short on the phone, we sincerely apologize. That's not normally how we are. But these aren't normal conditions.

When will things be normal? We don't know. As soon as we are able to go back to Gunflint Lake, I will post that here to the blog.

I cannot praise enough the efforts and hard, hard work that the fire fighters are putting in. This is a most incredible thing to witness. These people are beyond dedicated, and I fully put my trust in their abilities. Please say prayers for their continued safety.

Thank you to each and everyone of you---we couldn't do it without knowing that you are all there for us.

With much love,
Barb, Greg, Robert, Paul and Addie--and I know that I speak for Sharlene and Jim, too

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?? CIO Japan.

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Taralli, freselle, biscotti ?????????????? ???????? ??????? ?????????

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Taralli

Strufoli

Treccine

Bastoncini Chiacchiere

Friselline
Roccoco Mostaccioli

Ham Lake Fire

What should be a beautiful spring day here on Gunflint Lake is actually a very busy and tense one. As many of you know, there is a large forest fire burning west of us. Last July, the Cavity Lake fire burned in the BWCA about ten miles (as the crow flies) from our location here on the South Shore. In September, the Famine and Red Eye fires burned about five miles to the south of us. This time, it is the Ham Lake fire, and it is burning along the Gunflint Trail, north and west of us. I had hoped to give you a detailed description here of the events of the last few days, but I am needed outside to help Greg and the kids. So the most I can tell you for the moment is that we are all fine, we are not in immediate danger, and we are doing our best to keep things safe here, while helping our friends and neighbors as much as we can. We really appreciate all of the phone calls and emails that you have sent, and we also welcome your prayers that the wind does not keep blowing in all of the odd directions that have caused so much trouble already. I also wanted to share some links with you that you can go to for more information.

http://www.boreal.org
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/660/
http://www.wtip.org

You can find maps of the fire, as well as the latest press statements as to size of the fire and what the plans are for the fire fighting efforts of the day. As we know more, we will post it here. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. If we don't get back to you right away, it's just that things are a bit hectic!
Barb, Greg, Paul and Addie

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"T&D di Giorgio Ricciardi"

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Giorgio Ricciardi
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