Let's go round again.

We've been to Kielder 3 times; each time we've done a lap of the lake on our bikes and each time it's been different.  Mainly because the first time we both had grotty bikes, the second time my gears failed and this time we both had new(ish) bikes. Each time though the weather has been perfect - beginning to think it never rains here...

This time we also managed a trip up to the observatory for a crystal clear night of stargazing. Got up close and personal with the moon and also saw Uranus, Neptune and a distant binary star system - if you're heading this way it's certainly worth a visit.

Today's lap of the lake was largely uneventful apart from my persistent ranting about Tower Knowe wanting to chargd £6.95 for a jacket spud with beans. I'm all for supporting local shops etc. but £6.95 for something that costs around 70p to make? Clearly I'm getting old and grumpy before my time.

That aside the weather was perfect and the views magnificent - just hope I'm not too worn out as we're planning to stay up till 3am watching the lunar eclipse. If anyone wants me tomorrow morning I'm likely to be in bed...

My Tern!

Trust me, this will be a lot more impressive when I can upload the photos.  (see below!) Our plan today was to do the big boat trip to Staple Island and Inner Farne.  We'd heeded the advice of the skipper we met last Saturday and booked for today but sadly the sea had other ideas and a landing on Staple wasn't possible.  What we did get was a longer boat tour and 3 hours on Inner Farne so not a bad substitute at all.

The reason we couldn't land on Staple was because of the bouncy sea and that made the 90 min boat tour loads more fun than earlier in the week.  We'd nabbed a space right at the front of the boat and I was soaked in sunshine and sea spray for the entire journey. Bliss!

The terns were as feisty as ever and I soon had one sat on my head.  Given the hat I was wearing it is entirely possible that they mistook me for a nest.  There were so many birds and chicks all over the place that I didn't even need to use my carefully packed bins so if you're planning a trip to the islands don't panic if you're not fully kitted out.

All of the rangers on the island are incredibly helpful and happy to answer any and all questions, though I was disappointed not to track down @NTSteely.  It's a tiny island so I'm not sure how we missed each other - perhaps he passed by when I had a tern on my head and he mistook me for a cliff...

3 hours absolutely flashed by - we were so busy photographing the birds that we nearly missed our boat again.  I did manage to make time to see St Cuthberts church though - very tiny and well worth a peek inside.

Back on the mainland there was just time for another round on the 2p machines and an ice cream before our final paddle back to the campsite.  As we made our way along the cliff path I noticed how the curves in the rocks beautifully echoed the waves in the sea - nice bit of Grand Designing which I'm sure Kevin McLeod would thoroughly approve of.

This week has absolutely flown by and tomorrow we head off to Greystoke for part 2 of the holiday.  Steve will be spending 2 days making his own longbow and I'll be researching the case law surrounding firing longbows from our balcony at passing cars - just in case he's ever tempted...

The closes we got to Staple Island.

Seriously - are they ever pleased to see you?

Longstone Lighthouse.

Watch the birdie!

Puffins everywhere!

Birthday Blues

I announced to Steve today that, all being well, I planned on having another 50 or so birthdays.  The poor man looked quite worried and who can blame him when my approach to birthdays hasn't changed much since I was 6 - I still find them hugely exciting even though I feel as if I must be talking about someone else when I give my age.  Surely someone of these advanced years would be a bit more grown up by now?

We started by trying and failing to book a couple of boat trips (wrong type of tide) so took a walk along the beach to Beadnell instead.  Having spent 30 seconds or so exploring all Beadnell had to offer we decided to head back to Seahouses.  It was hot & muggy so I stopped to check bus times - there was one due in 8 minutes but, having no idea where the bus stop was we did what any other normal, sane, individuals would do and ran 2 laps of the nearby village green in a blind panic before leaping out in front of a rather startled looking bus driver.

Back in Seahouses lunch beckoned and we found a gorgeous beer garden with perfect sea views & polished off scampi and chips in short order.  I've never really been too sure what a scampi actually is but it looks like the sort of thing that would most likely be very healthy to eat if we didn't insist on smothering them in breadcrumbs and deep frying them.

Following a game of crazy golf on one of the best courses we've seen in a long time - The Bunker, opposite the harbour, all home made and a flurry of local landmarks to navigate - we went for a long stroll along the beach and that's when the birthday blues hit.  The sea and the sky were spectacular - the crispest and clearest of blues and perfectly complemented by the miles of golden sandy beaches with Bamburgh Castle away in the distance.  With the tide out the space stretched all around us so although there were other people around it still felt deserted if that makes any sense at all.

Poetic interlude over it was back to Delores for a quick change before meeting my big bruv and sis-in-law for dinner.  Having no idea where we were headed we set off & followed the first pub sign we saw which thankfully took us to The Joiners Arms in High Newtown by the Sea.   The food and service was utterly superb with an imaginative and varied menu all cooked to perfection - I really cannot praise or recommend them highly enough.

In fact the only thing I can possibly fault them on was the lack of blue foam for my Cookie Monster milkshake (see previous comment re not being grown up) but they did make me an albino one instead.  Another birthday over and if the next 50 or so are as blue as this one I won't be disappointed at all.

Birthday cheer(s)!

Crazy golf through Bamburgh Castle.

Blue...

Spectacular fish and chips!

Albino cookie monster milkshake.

The Crab Sandwich has left the building.

I couldn't think of a more polite way of saying it but normal dietary service has been resumed.  Also fitting as we were serenaded with Elvis singing "Blue Christmas" while we ate it. How many shopping days till Christmas?

Noise has been on my mind a lot recently having spent 3 days in London - a place which has many merits though sadly peace & quiet isn't one of them.  The thing I've realised is that all noise isn't equal.  Whereas the hustle and bustle of a city will soon drive me to drink (any excuse!) the equally loud and persistent sound of the sea will relax and revive me within minutes.  Most odd when I think about it objectively and probably the result of some evolutionary quirk.

Today we took to our bikes and headed for Bamburgh Castle on a route that achieved the unlikely distinction of being uphill in both directions. At least that's the way it felt.  The castle itself is a thoroughly splendid building and well worth a visit (I'll add the pics when I get home.)  At each place we visit we buy or find a small momento for Delores, which now has a pinboard full of silly trinkets as well as other bits and pieces dotted around.  The problem with today was that the only "trinket" we found & loved was a 3ft wooden sword and we were on the bikes with no rucksacks.  Undeterred we bought it anyway and Steve startled a number of innocent tourists in Seahouses as he peddled home Dartanion style.

There was an added adventure before that mind.  Under the impression that the the castle closed at 7pm we'd been sat high up on the ramparts enjoying the evening sun.  I'd remarked to Steve how unusually quiet it was but we put that down to it being a Monday.  Only when we reached the padlocked gates did we realise we were locked in.  We considered using our sword to stake our claim and fight off any would be invaders but in the end scurried off to find a rather surprised looking member of staff to let us out.  "This will have to be reported in the morning" she said gravely.  Given the rather bloody history of the place I doubt it will worry anyone too much.

Back at Delores it was far too lovely an evening to sit indoors so I whipped up a picnic - 4 bottles of Peroni, a large bag of crisps, 2 sarnies and a pack of Maryland Cookies. Not exactly Famous Five but the farmer's wife who checked us in didn't look as if she was about to give us any thickly cut bacon and fresh eggs.  We hit the beach and tried to name as many different birds as we could, impressively we managed Black Headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Terns, Shags, Eider Ducks, Arctic Terns, Ringed Plover, Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Skylarks and "a funny looking orange one over there that looks like it's something" and all without the aid of a book. (Might have come in handy for the last one though)

Hoping to head to Longstone Island tomorrow.  We don't plan on getting locked in again but if I'm not around tomorrow evening best send help just in case.

View from Bamburgh Castle

Stunning ceiling!

Selfie with a sword - obviously...

High tide over Seahouses harbour

Eider duck 'idin' from the waves...

View from Seahouses harbour

Back to the Future

I have so little mobile signal it reminds me of life in the 1990's - but that's Vodafone for you...

Today was supposed to be unadventurous and it largely was, but you know me. We started late, awoken by the unmistakable rural sounds of tractors and shotguns and took a walk into nearby Seahouses. The bright sunny weather had lured many folks out from Newcastle so it was rather like being on the set of Auf Wiedersein Pet (sorry if that's spelt incorrectly but checking it would take an hour or so.)

We blew 82p in the arcade and came out with a number 9 billiard ball and a dice whose opposing faces add up to anything between 6 and 8. They'll be worth a fortune one day.  En route to a much needed cup of coffee Steve suggested we take a look around the RNLI shop; within seconds of purchasing a cute fluffy seal all the alarms went off and 2 minutes later the place was full of fit seafaring types in skimpy vests and shorts.  I popped a few quid in the collecting box to show my appreciation.

Lunch comprised of a dodgy crab sandwich which appeared to be one part crab, 2 parts mayonnaise and 3 parts "it's best not to ask".  Tuneful & flatulent we continued along the beach towards Bamburgh Castle. 

This really is one of the best kept secrets of the north - miles of stunning sandy beaches and spectacular views.  And not forgetting a perfect selection of skimming stones.  There maybe a million apps in the world but nothing beats an our or so of skimming stones in the sunshine.

Back into Seahouses and we took another spin around the shops and discovered a niche market just waiting to be exploited - seal memorabilia. Thanks to a previous visit here plus a recent visit to Bempton Cliffs we are replete with Puffin Paraphernalia but seal goodies are sadly lacking.

Back on Delores we broke open the wine and introduced our beautiful fluffy RNLI seal to its new home. "We need a name for it" I said, looking to Steve for inspiration. "Club Sandwich" he suggested, in honour of our dodgy crab sandwich. It's not perfect but you have to admit it's memorable.

(No photo & I'm standing in the middle of Anstead Bay just to get a signal...)

Photos now added - including one of us trying to post this...

RNLI heading out!

Shhhhh - don't tell anyone!

Better than any app!

82p well spent!

Seahouses harbour

All I need is a little bit of signal...

R and aaahhhh...

Time to take this blog back to its origins I think - daily posts about a bit of an adventure.

This morning didn't start so well if I'm honest - work has been so manic lately and I was so tired that although I very much wanted to go away I also very much didn't want to pack or drive.  By 11am Steve's steely glare finally convinced me it was time to ditch the PJs and leap into action.  Well I say leap, it was still 2pm before I was ready to leave...

North to Carlisle, stop for fuel & booze at Asda then Steve headed back to Delores while I nipped to the loo & then bought a giant pizza so I didn't have to cook. Don't judge me - it's been a long week. Plus it turns out the pizza is too big for the oven. That'll teach me.

It wasn't long before we were in Seahouses.  The campsite is fab except for the fact we're on a grass pitch which is now somewhat churned plus we're in the shade of the barn.  On the upside we have swallows buzzing around the van and we're just over the road from the stunning Beadnell Bay.

So far we've explored the bay, been for a paddle and bumped into the skipper of one of the boats to the Farne Islands we want to hop on this week.  Most fortunate as he gave us some useful pointers.

This may sound silly but I absolutely love the fact that I can now spot different birds - tonight wasn't too taxing - Black Headed Gulls, Oyster Catchers, Herons and Herring Gulls - but a few years back I would have been oblivious.

Anyway, that's pretty much it for now - not much excitement really - apart from cutting the giant pizza in two so we can cook it...

Annstead Bay

Aaaaannd relax...