Penshaw in the snow

Everyday I commute to work along the A19 from Newcastle to Ryhope (south of Sunderland) and see Penshaw monument. It brings back fond memories as my grandparents used to take me there regularly when I was a child to climb the hill and play in the grass. The monument can be seen for many miles and recently colleagues new to the area have been asking me about it. It is a 70foot high folly and a replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athen (but half the size). It was built and dedicated to John Lambton, the 1st Earl of Durham, in 1844 (4 years after his death). Its official name is The Earl of Durham's Monument but since it stands on Penshaw Hill it has become known as Penshaw Monument. Within 1 column is a narrow spiral staircase to climb to the roof which the national trust occasionally open and I was able to visit during the heritage open days last September to climb to the top.

I went to work today but since I've been working all weekend, I was able to go home early. I took a detour on my drive home to visit the monument and take a photo of it covered in snow. My car then go stuck in the snow and I was worried I was going to be stuck there! I managed to get out and back home to Newcastle where there wasn't even any snow on the ground. Having some of the husbands course mates over for dinner tonight, looking forward to him cooking his delicious mushroom risotto :)