On the way, we dropped into the local Tesco petrol station (which we had to pass en route anyway) so that we could use up the £3.50 worth of Clubcard vouchers we have had floating around for a few months.
'Every Little Helps' as they are fond of saying!
These vouchers were generated by our having our power through eon, rather than by shopping at Tesco.
Our Tesco just doesn't have enough reductions for our liking!
We arrived at Dovenby Hall and handed over the paperwork.
Dovenby Hall seems to have been started around 1154, during the reign of Henry II (father of Richard The Lionheart and of Bad King John), and three major extensions were added in the ensuing centuries.
The original Norman pele tower (the oldest existing part of the building), round which the later portions of the Hall were constructed, is said to have been built using stone from the Roman road which once ran through the village of Dovenby.
A North and South lodge were added to the estate during the 16th Century, whilst further extensions were made to the rear of the Hall in the Seventeenth Century, including the creation of a kitchen, staff quarters and additional living rooms for the owners.
The original Norman pele tower (the oldest existing part of the building), round which the later portions of the Hall were constructed, is said to have been built using stone from the Roman road which once ran through the village of Dovenby.
A North and South lodge were added to the estate during the 16th Century, whilst further extensions were made to the rear of the Hall in the Seventeenth Century, including the creation of a kitchen, staff quarters and additional living rooms for the owners.
This once-grand private country house was converted into a mental sanatorium in 1930-31 and two patient 'villas' were built in the grounds of the estate. Two more villas were built during the 30s, along with other facilities including a school and a recreation hall, and an occupational therapy unit was added in the 1950s. A School of Nursing operated on the site from 1974.
The hospital was closed in 1997 and put up for sale by the health authority. It was purchased in 1998 by Malcolm Wilson, the Cumbrian rally driver, who is the managing director of M-Sport, which handles Ford Motors' rallying activities.
An extensive restoration and modernisation project was carried out which received a Civic Trust Award.
Part of the hall's interior was converted into office space. A new 5500 sq metre car workshop was built, a new access road and a lake were made. It was completed in 2001 and officially opened by Prince Charles.
The hospital was closed in 1997 and put up for sale by the health authority. It was purchased in 1998 by Malcolm Wilson, the Cumbrian rally driver, who is the managing director of M-Sport, which handles Ford Motors' rallying activities.
An extensive restoration and modernisation project was carried out which received a Civic Trust Award.
Part of the hall's interior was converted into office space. A new 5500 sq metre car workshop was built, a new access road and a lake were made. It was completed in 2001 and officially opened by Prince Charles.
Whilst the original building is very impressive (and we saw what must have been some very grand rooms at some point, and caught a glimpse of some fine panelling, paintings, etc) some of the 1930s buildings on the estate do suggest 'Institution' from the style of their design, somewhat reminiscent of some Victorian Workhouses.
But the whole estate is surrounded by attractive wooded areas, and seems peaceful and uplifting. So not too haunted, I think...
After our brief visit to the Hall, we went across to the Dunelm Mill at Workington to treat ourselves to a brand new double duvet, as the one we have been using since it turned colder at night is rather elderly and as flat as a pancake!
While we were there we decided that it would be worthwhile to pop into Morrisons, which is about 30 seconds walk from Dunelm Mill, since we needed some carrots and a loaf of bread. And a quick scout round for reductions and bargains of course.
Since this is not a branch we use very often it took us a little while to track down the reduced goods, but it was well worth our efforts.
We spent a total of £10.60 and came away with the following:
We spent a total of £10.60 and came away with the following:
A kilo of carrots,
A loaf of 'White and Wheat' bread,
A large piece of Cathedral City cheese,
2 very large pork spare rib steaks,
Some diced turkey breast, (sufficient for a curry or stew with plenty of veg),
A couple of lamb cutlets and a portion of barbecue lamb ribs,
12 Cumberland sausages,
A pack of cooking bacon (pieces),
Chilli Flakes (to spice up my carrot and lentil soup),
and a pack of 8 sultana scones - a particular favourite of the Other Half.
Before heading for home we visited the Morrison petrol station, and added a few litres of their unleaded, which is the cheapest in the area.
When we got home and divided up the spoils for the freezer, we found that we had enough meat for at least 6 days' worth of main meals, plus all the extras.
Not bad for a little under £11!
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