A short trip to Northumberland.

H

Happy Jack

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MH
Just looking
Set out this morning from Sunderland at 9.45.
Heading west we had to negotiate past Team Valley, roadworks been going on for years.
Not too bad, arrived at Aydon castle at 10.30.
It's EH, write up does it proud but in the end was a minor diversion, good for a 45 minutes amble round. Pic below.

IMG_20240919_104624001_HDR.jpg
IMG_20240919_105507187_HDR.jpg

.Left at 11.45 after a cuppa in the van.
12.15 saw us at our cs, Brockalee farm cs.
A gem of a site. All pitches hard standing, lovely views, peaceful and quiet.
Had a walk down to the local village, Bardon Mill; enjoyed a pint in The Bowes Hotel.
Back at an simply chilled out.
Wall to wall Sunshine and warm.
Tomorrow, Vindalando.
Pic of Alpacas at site.
IMG_20240919_123010657.jpg
Happy Jack.
 
The western bypass roadworks have been going on for over 10 years now. Almost constantly. They just move to a new section. Afterwards the rush hour bottleneck moves to another section too 😳😳
 
BikerGraham said:
The western bypass roadworks have been going on for over 10 years now. Almost constantly. They just move to a new section. Afterwards the rush hour bottleneck moves to another section too 😳😳
Click to expand...
Hi Biker.
Been slowed down many a time there.
A1 M at Barrington just past M62 is a nightmare and been like that for a couple of years.
Now detour via Pontifract when going south and coming back home.
It adds very little to milage.
Happy Jack.
 
Happy Jack said:
Hi Biker.
Been slowed down many a time there.
A1 M at Barrington just past M62 is a nightmare and been like that for a couple of years.
Now detour via Pontifract when going south and coming back home.
It adds very little to milage.
Happy Jack.
Click to expand...
Yep Derrington is a serious delay too. Looks like it may be coming close to finish though as second side has been partially resurfaced on the bridge. Fingers crossed.
Thought about the detours too but whilst frustrating the actual extra time is often only 15 minutes or so. Usually less coming north than going south. Do it fairly regularly.

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BikerGraham said:
Yep Derrington is a serious delay too. Looks like it may be coming close to finish though as second side has been partially resurfaced on the bridge. Fingers crossed.
Thought about the detours too but whilst frustrating the actual extra time is often only 15 minutes or so. Usually less coming north than going south. Do it fairly regularly.
Click to expand...
Went to Norfolk in June. Mistakenly thought the bridge repairs would be done. How wrong, took over an hour to get past that section.
Now go through Ponti and down either the A639 or the 638.
Same coming back
Happy Jack.
 
Pleasant suprise after our walk out.
Jeff the owner who is very talkative brought some free range eggs FOC.
Will try them out in the morning.
Had a long conversation about the evil person who worshipping the altar of free market principals killed the coal mines and lots others.
Site facilities are spot on, and at £20 a night will not grumble.
Happy Jack.
 
Happy Jack said:
Set out this morning from Sunderland at 9.45.
Heading west we had to negotiate past Team Valley, roadworks been going on for years.
Not too bad, arrived at Aydon castle at 10.30.
It's EH, write up does it proud but in the end was a minor diversion, good for a 45 minutes amble round. Pic below.

View attachment 952272
View attachment 952304

.Left at 11.45 after a cuppa in the van.
12.15 saw us at our cs, Brockalee farm cs.
A gem of a site. All pitches hard standing, lovely views, peaceful and quiet.
Had a walk down to the local village, Bardon Mill; enjoyed a pint in The Bowes Hotel.
Back at an simply chilled out.
Wall to wall Sunshine and warm.
Tomorrow, Vindalando.
Pic of Alpacas at site.
View attachment 952321
Happy Jack.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the recommendation.

We love Northumberland.

As well as Vindolanda, see if Segudunum, https://maps.app.goo.gl/nsCu8QSWsSqc7C5f8,
(SWMBO helped excavate it) And Housesteads if they happen to be close to you.

Fish and chips at Seahouses?
 
Hi Jon.
2 more days in Northumberland after this site.
Just one more day here then heading west but not far.
Have to get home after that, previous commitments.
Planning to come back this way for south west Scotland soon.
But also planning east coast Northumberland soon.
We are NT and EH members so will take in their properties.
Happy Jack.
 
Woke up this morning bright and not so early.
Wish we could say the same for the🌞.
Bit of a change from yesterday, misty and murky.
Anyway, had 2 of the free range eggs, scrumptious.
Heading out for a 45 minutes walk to Vindalanda.
IMG_20240920_095229340_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg
Happy Jack.

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BikerGraham said:
Yep Derrington is a serious delay too. Looks like it may be coming close to finish though as second side has been partially resurfaced on the bridge. Fingers crossed.
Thought about the detours too but whilst frustrating the actual extra time is often only 15 minutes or so. Usually less coming north than going south. Do it fairly regularly.
Click to expand...
No at Darrington, Highway England have decided to do additional works, which will last for another 12 months!!
 
Can highly recommend the new motorhome parking spot at Amble - £12 a night (you have to pre book and can only stay for 1 night) - no facilities other than waste bins but a lovely , quiet spot with easy walking access to Amble (and the Fish Shack - delicious sea food restaurant) or Warkworth Castle in the opposite direction. Its about 90 minutes away from where you are now.
 
garry55 said:
Can highly recommend the new motorhome parking spot at Amble - £12 a night (you have to pre book and can only stay for 1 night) - no facilities other than waste bins but a lovely , quiet spot with easy walking access to Amble (and the Fish Shack - delicious sea food restaurant) or Warkworth Castle in the opposite direction. Its about 90 minutes away from where you are now.
Click to expand...
Hi Gary,
Got to go home after next 2 days but we are planning east coast.
My sister goes about 5 times a year in that neck of the woods, she rents apartments.
She has often talked about Amble and others.

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Vindalanda walk was uphill all the way, a couple sections quite steep.
Got to the top of last "up" section, took this pic:-
IMG_20240920_120129291.jpg
Set off to walk last 1/2 mile but as I changed direction my dodgy knee went AWOL.
Had a bit wear n tear + a touch of arthritis for years in that one. Decided best to return to van.
Half hobbled back.
Took this pic of chainley burn.
IMG_20240920_121750202.jpg
Treated it with CBD balm.
Needs to be better tomorrow as I'm the sole driver.
 
There’s a lovely CS just off the A69 as you turn off it to go to Vindolanda.
great views, toilet and showers. All hardstanding pitches with metered electric.

Owner usually brings you half a dozen fresh eggs when you arrive too 👍👍
 
BikerGraham said:
There’s a lovely CS just off the A69 as you turn off it to go to Vindolanda.
great views, toilet and showers. All hardstanding pitches with metered electric.

Owner usually brings you half a dozen fresh eggs when you arrive too 👍👍
Click to expand...
That's the one we're at!
 
Happy Jack said:
Vindalanda walk was uphill all the way, a couple sections quite steep.
Got to the top of last "up" section, took this pic:-
View attachment 952693
Set off to walk last 1/2 mile but as I changed direction my dodgy knee went AWOL.
Had a bit wear n tear + a touch of arthritis for years in that one. Decided best to return to van.
Half hobbled back.
Took this pic of chainley burn.
View attachment 952702
Treated it with CBD balm.
Needs to be better tomorrow as I'm the sole driver.
Click to expand...
Do you think if we combined knees, we'd have two good one between us?

Glad you got to see some of it!
 
Knee starting to ease now. Plenty of CBD balm being used.
Watched 3 episodes of Baby reindeer last night.
It's weird and wacky but watchable, apart from the constant "overtalking". More tonight.
Tomorrow's destination Greenriggs Cottage cs.
It's all of 10 miles!!!!!!
Will have a walk while there to Lambley Viaduct and was going to walk on to Featherstone castle but googled it and it's a conference centre etc so won't get to have a look inside.
Whole purpose of getting away was to get a few days chilling out without travelling too far.
Last trip was IOW, 980 miles total for just 21 days.
Would have left on Sunday and had more days but the better half had appointment on Wednesday and she's got one in Monday. Nowt serious.
 
Didnt go on to next site, went home.
Better half feeling unwell from early evening onwards.
She has CLL, is on "watch and wait"; so we decided to err on the side of caution.
 
Happy Jack said:
Will have a walk while there to Lambley Viaduct and was going to walk on to Featherstone castle but googled it and it's a conference centre etc so won't get to have a look inside.
Click to expand...
Hope the knee continues to improve.

My family used to farm the area around the viaduct (Waffleholm) and many of them are buried in Lambley churchyard.
 

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