Our Northumbrian Holiday

We're just back from spending a lovely week in Bamburgh with gran and grandad. The house we rented had a fantastic view of the castle and we could also just make out a lighthouse and the sea. The photo is the view from our bedroom - can't do much better than that!

The weather wasn't too bad (though could have been a bit better) so we only got to spend one morning at the beach. It started off a little damp with a bit of rain but cleared up nicely. Beth was more than happy to collect shells and stone (most of which are now piled up in our back garden) and wasn't particularly interested in the sea. On the other hand Toby was VERY interested in the water. I took him down for a little paddle (it was chilly) but that did not satisfy him and Steve took him down for something that ended up resembling a swim! I think the waves surprised them both so after a quick snack, we had to head back for baths all round.

On Sunday cousins Adam and William came to visit us for the day so we wandered down the road to the castle. It's pretty impressive and dominates the village. You can just make out the figures of Beth and Adam heading up the hill. The interior was impressive too but we didn't have time to fully appreciate it as we whipped round it at a fair rate of knots. The kids did however sit still long enough to devour ice cream at the tearoom after.

We managed to pack loads of visits into the week making it to Alnwick and the famous Barter Books bookshop. I would have been happy to spend the day browsing but two little souls prevented that! We also made it to Berwick Upon Tweed but only for a wander and short explore.

Our next big adventure was to a National Trust property, Cragside House and Gardens, the first house in the world to be lit using hydroelectric power. Steve's been wanting to visit for years - he went when he was younger and before it was of as much interest to him. I think him and grandad could have spent days exploring inside the house but again a couple of little souls prevented it. The gardens were equally as impressive with a bridge, rockeries, a formal garden and lots of space. I'm afraid much of the technical information related to the house was totally lost on me but it was still interesting and the gardens were lovely.

Thursday we indulged Toby and went to the Ford & Etal Estates where we got to ride on a (miniature) steam train. Amazingly we got to see a barn owl poking it's head out of a tree along with lots of cows, sheep and herons. After lunch at a very picturesque pub (thatched roof and all), we headed back on the train.

Our last trip was to the fishing village of Craster where we parked and walked along the coast to Dunstanburgh Castle. The sun was out and it would have been a beautiful walk except for the wind that nearly lifted Toby off the ground. It made it quite tiring but we all enjoyed it and Toby slept for ages after (I'll have to rent a wind tunnel to tire them out in future!!!).

It was a lovely week and Beth was very upset to be leaving, she did not want to go back to her house at all. Steve probably felt the same with work looming tomorrow but he was very restrained and didn't say so. :)