I was sure there was a bird-feeder down here somewhere ...

The Grindon Cartshed - http://www.grindon-cartshed.co.uk/ - is a converted outbuilding on Grindon Farm, run by David and Jackie Armstrong. We found them through http://www.responsibletravel.com and one of the attractions is that they are trying to be environmentally friendly and generally "green".

We liked the sound of "trying to" - that is what we say we are doing. We live in a listed property and many of the recommendations for green living are not open to us, so we are becoming tired of being berated and bullied about green issues. Of course, a place that claimed top flight green credentials might not be much of a holiday!

As it happens, the Cartshed has been very nicely done. It has underfloor heating, and double glazing, to protect us from the elements, and we were greeted with a beaming smile and a pot of tea. The rooms are not overlarge, but all three are en-suite, pleasantly and uobtrusively decorated. There is a shared living area and a little kitchen, and during the summer season Jackie will come into the Cartshed and provide a cooked breakfast (delicious, and based on local produce!) and a packed lunch (which is simple, but ample). During the winter, the Cartshed is let as a single self catering unit which sleeps six, and as the kitchen is well-organised and well-equipped, it is much better than some we've used!

A recent RSPB survey identified some 80 species on the Farm, and we saw quite a wide variety from the living area, so footsore walkers of the Wall need not fear boredom as they rest their poor abused feet. Quite the contrary. Even non-birdwatchers like us could be fascinated for hours. There are even red squirrels in the woods behind the Farm, as well!

-- Rachel Wright

Quotation from Tim Berners-Lee