Visit to Northumberland

I was due at the Visual Art Spring weekend at Alnwick in April and thought I would have a few days beforehand visiting with my friends Mary and Terry.  Left Taunton just before 4 am arriving in Ponteland at 10.30 am.  Terry had sorted out plans for the day.  We left for Tynemouth on the metro and walked to Cullercoats catching the metro there back with lunch in between

The old swimming pool looking towards Cullercoats

Mary and Terry

Had to take this pic for my friend who has a little princess too.

The next day, Mary took me to Belsay Hall, Kirkharle and a reservoir.  A great day out.

Belsay

A walk through the grounds

Belsay ruin

Fireplace

Steps to the roof

Crocus

A beautiful old wall

Mary reflected in the coach

At Kirkharle

Damp in St Wilfrids church

Lots of lambs about

This is the image I was capturing lying on the bench below

Pic of me by Mary

The next day I was taken to Kielder which I had not been to before.  We had a walk and a picnic.  Mary and Terry's son had boats at the marina which Terry was looking for.  Easy to find as it had the BOAC emblem on it which bought back memories.   Looking for a different way back, we found ourselves on a rocky forest path which was a bit hairy.  Luckily, Terry got us out safely.  We stopped for tea and a walk by the river on the way back.

BOAC

I stayed at Horton Grange in the evenings.  On Friday, I set out for Alnwick.  I stopped off at Northumberlandia and then Felton for Fine Fettle wools.  Had lunch at Hauxley nature reserve near Amble and a spoonbill flew in.

The lady

The open cast mine at Northumberlandia

Spoonbill