A day out

Feeling stronger today, and we planned a casual day out, starting with Alnwick. Last time we visited Northumberland we discovered Barter Books so were determined to re-visit. We took a picnic in case we were out all day!! At Barter Books we went straight to the cafe, which is cosily situated in the old railway waiting rooms, complete with a roaring open fire. After coffee and cake we started our book search. I didn't have anything specific I was looking for, but I'd asked Mollie for a list as she has a long one of books to read before she starts her PGCE in September. I found a couple from the list, and a few others that I thought worth buying. Together with a couple for Jon and a very nice Barter Book cloth bag I managed to spend £40!! Always worth it where books are concerned.

A brief walk around Alnwick and then we drove on to find somewhere to have our picnic. A country park outside Morpeth showed on the map. A large carpark, a large lake and lots of birds. Jon boiled a small pot of water in the boot, sheltered from the wind, and we had a cup of tea! It was late when we finished, so after a brief Asda shop we drove back along the coast to Warkworth- the distant castle I mentioned yesterday. It was 5 by the time we arrived. But we parked up and walked around the castle, and then down along the river - it loops around the village. There is a 600 year old bridge and archway, that and the whole village is built of the grey stone, so prevalent in these villages. I should really do some research about it - it's very like in the posh villages in the cotswolds.

We drove back along the coast road again, but tried to find Dunstanburgh. The signs took us to Craster, famous for its kippers. A quaint harbour, and the castle remains are visible along the coast. We may return and walk to them. Top photo!

Eventually got home at about 6.30 and cooked an Asda pizza for dinner. Our first shop pizza for months; it was nice but not as good as our homemade ones!

TV is rubbish tonight, so Jon is watching an episode of Vera. I'm going to do a bit of knitting!