Tree spirits

I had to go down to Wansbeck this morning, so MrM drove us there first thing. An hour's drive for what turned out to be a 5-minute appointment so, as it was another hot, sunny day, we decided to take the rest of the day off and to make the most of being in that area.

We stopped briefly to look at Mitford Castle on the way to Bolam Lake Country Park, where we enjoyed a walk through the woods and by the lake. The carved tree man is by the main car park there. Hundreds of shaggy parasol mushrooms - at least that's what MrM thinks they are - in one part of the woods (extra).

It was a little too early for lunch when we finished our walk, so we decided to go on to Wallington. Bad idea! We had forgotten that it's still school holidays, and the whole estate seemed to be teeming with young children and their parents, and the cafe was bulging at the seams! So, after a short walk through the woods, we went on to Rothbury and headed to Tomlinson's - the best cafe around - for lunch. But, shock horror, it was closed! (Even more shock horror when we got home and looked it up on the internet, to discover that it's being converted in to 4 luxury apartments!)

Anyway, we found another cafe for lunch, discovered a very nice deli/wholefood shop (where we bought a range of spices), and went to 'look at' the shoe shop. Two pairs of shoes later - one each, to replace those we bought in the very same shop a couple of years ago - we made our way back to the car, and home. 

Hadn't realised that we'd walked so far, but the little man in my step counter is jumping up and down with joy this evening!