Beadnell Sunset

The forecast of cloud and rain today resulted in plans for a welcome lazy morning followed by a trip to Alnwick. In reality, the weather is much better, so we head out earlier than intended - but after several early starts this week, it feels quite decadent! 

I want to photograph Alnwick Castle, but both it and the gardens are closed for the winter and trying to find a viewpoint’s challenging. We do, down by the Lion Bridge, but the light’s completely wrong and wind makes any reflections in the river impossible. 

After yesterday’s clambering over rocks, I’m really struggling with my walking today, so it’s slow progress.  We head for Barter Books  - every bit as wonderful as we’ve been led to believe. I can’t believe how vast the place is, or how beautifully laid out. Our first mission is the obligatory coffee and cake in the refreshment rooms (as many blippers will be aware, Barter Books occupies Alnwick’s old railway station) followed by a browse. I actually buy a book - a Barbara Kingsolver I’ve been looking for.  

As a good sunset is predicted, we make our way north via Low Newton by the Sea for a breezy walk along the beach, watching the antics of Sanderlings dashing about on the shoreline, before continuing to Beadnell Harbour which has the rare distinction of facing west and therefore good for sunset watching. 

It’s been icy cold all day, but now there’s little strength from the setting sun and the windchill factor’s making itself very clear! G sensibly stays in the car while I freeze on the deserted beach. 

This is not a spectacular sunset by any means; rather it’s a subtle show of ever changing pastels. At first there’s yellow, intensifying to gold. Then gradually a glow of red forms behind the hills, turning the sky behind the wind turbines briefly fiery. And then the red dissipates to pale magenta as it seeps into the blue-grey sky. 

Momentarily, there’s a reflective glow of pinks and mauves to the east over the harbour itself, quickly disappearing into neutral greys. 

Of course, I have to stay until there’s obvious no chance of any other colour permutations, but by now I’ve been out on the beach for an hour and I’m absolutely frozen! 

Today’s main is the sunset at the pale magenta stage, with extras of the gold and a collage of its pastel progression. Then there’s a collage of Barter Books and one of a sanderling auditioning for The Ministry of Silly Walks - I suspect this should have been my main!