A castle, a bookshop and some starlings

Today dawned wet in Alnwick, but fortunately it didn't last and we saw quite a bit of sunshine during the day. Looking out of the window of our holiday home was very odd - when I looked it up on Google Street View before we came away the view beyond the house was green fields to the horizon - now it's a huge housing estate!

We drove up the A1 and turned off to Bamburgh, and walked around the castle, along the beach and back round the other side - my Blip today. Quite spectacular! When we'd had enough we continued along the coast road to Seahouses and had lunch on a pub terrace overlooking the sea. I made the mistake (not) of tossing crumbs to the resident starlings and we soon had a flock of them waiting for more! Such attractive birds and not often given credit for their beautiful plumage. An extra today.

We eventually returned to Alnwick and turned into Barter Books, one of the biggest second-hand bookshops in Britain, housed in the now disused railway station at Alnwick. I've been here before - it's an incredible place and I defy anyone to leave without buying something! I confess to buying a book or two! A second extra.

Quote of the Day: 'Standing there, staring at the long shelves crammed with books, I felt myself relax and was suddenly at peace.' - Helene Hanff.