11th October 2009

11th October 2009.

Dear All,

We have enjoyed a good week in Northumberland with the weather better than expected in October. We left Over at 7 am on Saturday with Gordon and Kate and Bob and Carol – all 6 travelling in Gordon’s Alhambra, so luggage was kept to a minimum. We had breakfast in Newark and lunch with Kate F’s sister in Yarm, arriving at our destination - Warenton, a hamlet near Bamburgh by 3.30 pm. The house was an old mill and very comfortable.

The Old Mill, Warenton

Bamburgh Castle
On Sunday we went to Alnwick Baptist church, which was fairly lively then had a picnic at Craster and walked along the coast to Dunstanburgh Castle.

Dunstanburgh Castle
Monday we drove the pretty way to Berwick via Wooler, Etal and Duddo. We walked the Berwick walls and explored a bit before crossing into Scotland ending up in Eyemouth where the sea was pounding the seawall and seals were swimming amongst the boats.

Berwick Road Bridge

Eyemouth

Tuesday was our only wet day so we made for Alnwick and managed to view the castle gardens without getting too damp. These are very impressive designed by the duchess with exotic fountains, a bamboo maze, old English rose garden, a poison plant garden, water sculptures, a large walled ornamental garden and a large tree house and walk.



Alnwick Castle Tree House
When it really rained we made for the famous “Barters Second-hand Bookshop”. If you have never been it is worth going north alone for with stacks of books, a log fire and “help yourself “refreshments.
Wednesday dawned fine so we made for Holy Island exploring the Abbey ruins and castle before walking round the island in brilliant sunshine. In the afternoon we made for Seahouses and fish and chips.Thursday we drove inland to the Northumberland National Park and the Cheviot Hills. We walked from Hethpool over Great Hertha and back along Elsdon Burn. The weather was fantastic and the scenery marvellous. We also explored a couple of other valleys into the hills at Harthorpe and Old Middleton – probably the best day of the week for me.



The Cheviot Hills
On Friday the weather was dull, we went back to Ingram in the Cheviots to explore a fourth valley then on to the coast to Amble, Walkworth Castle, Alnmouth, Alnwick and Beadnell.
Saturday we had a good return journey via Downtown and were home by 2.30 pm. In the evening it was Hilary Allen’s 50th birthday party arranged by her daughter Bryony at Bar Hill so that rounded the week off quite nicely.

Love


Mike & Kate