ALNWICK CASTLE

A quick breakfast and we were off - driving up the Northumberland coast to The Holy Island of Lindisfarne. The island is located about 2 miles off the northeast coast of England, close to the border with Scotland. It is accessible, most times, at low-tide by crossing sand and mud flats which are covered with water at high tides. The safe crossing times today were between 10.10am and 4.25pm.

The island was packed with visitors. Most seemed to have a dog with them. It was very MISTY at first but it slowly began to clear. We walked towards the CASTLE. Its quite a long walk but it's worth it. The castle stands on a very steep ROCK

We wandered about and took loads of photos. MIKE was using his fancy camera.

We came across a display of birds of prey. This OWL was lovely.

Everywhere on the island was full so we couldn't have lunch there so we drove back across the CAUSEWAY and found a pub on the mainland. We had a nice PUB LUNCH . Couldn't really find anything on the menu that was healthy so I just had what I fancied - lamb chops, pots, veg and gravy.

It was still too early to go home so we drove down the coast to Bamburgh. Visited the GRACE DARLING Museum which was very interesting. Also went over to the churchyard to see her MEMORIAL. Bamburgh has a CASTLE too. Still misty but the village CRICKET TEAM didn't seem bothered.

Then we drove through Seahouses - no parking available so we carried on till we got to Alnwick. Went to BARTER BOOKS a fantastic bookshop located in the old Alnwick RAILWAY STATION . It used to be a favourite haunt of my late husband - a real Aladdin's cave of BOOKS. Becky and Mike loved it and want to go again next time they come up North. I would certainly recommend it - check it out HERE

We then took some photos of Alnwick Castle. It dates from 1136 and was built to protect England's northern border against the Scottish invasions and border reivers. The Duke of Northumberland and his family live in part of the castle and the rest is open to visitors. It has been used as a setting in many films and television series.... notably the Harry Potter films.

Then it was back home and Mike made a start on his home made meatballs which we had for our evening meal. Lazy evening just chilling and chatting.

Neil had been playing cricket - and lost. The team went to Newcastle to drown their sorrows and Neil arrived home at 2am.


*** Have backblipped YESTERDAY - at the match