Langtoftlad's Great British Tour... Part One

[GJH]

I'm sure the A171 drive over the moors is quite picturesque but I couldn't see a bloody thing because of the fairly thick fog.

It has been a little overcast today hasn't it? Maybe that's why we didn't see you wave as you drove up the A19 Of course it could also be something to do with the fact that we are 600m away from the A19 with no line of sight

 

[Langtoftlad]

It has been a little overcast today hasn't it? Maybe that's why we didn't see you wave as you drove up the A19 Of course it could also be something to do with the fact that we are 600m away from the A19 with no line of sight

You did actually cross my mind as I passed the signpost - but I assumed you'd be elsewhere hunting some elusive good weather.

 

[GJH]

You did actually cross my mind as I passed the signpost - but I assumed you'd be elsewhere hunting some elusive good weather.

This time next week we will be

 

[Langtoftlad]

Well that was a bit of a surprise...
Bought an 'overpriced' supposedly "homemade" rabbit pie for supper from one of these 'organic' farm shops.
Expectations was that it would be adequate but actually it was bloody lovely.
Isn't it great when something exceeds .

 

[Langtoftlad]

...but the 'local' cheeses* were a bit of a disappointment. At best bland, at worst tasteless. There's mild and then there's flavourless .

Beer Fruit Chutney is okay though


[*so if you come across Cornerstone or Wensleydale Oak Smoked... personally I wouldn't bother]

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[Langtoftlad]

Blue Sky !!!

That's all - have a great morning.
Stephen

 

[Anthea M]

Lucky you!!long may it last!

 

[Langtoftlad]

Now pitched up at another Britstop #750 to discover its changed hands.
Luckily the new landlady is well happy with the scheme.

Been watching bunnies play from my cab window...

(Apologies, the phone zoom isn't the best)

Today I traded £2.50 in tokens for this;

Which then equalled this;

Bowes Museum

Fascinating story & fascinating place - boy do they have a lot of stuff!
Connected to our Queen
An eclectic collection, one piece a Van Dyck, was unrecognised, stuck in a store room .

Not just paintings, ceramics, furniture, etc etc but also a "special" exhibition...

...I'm making absolutely no comment at all .

 

[CWH]

Love the reports @Langtoftlad , keep 'em coming!
What's the story behind the swan? What's it made of?

Now pitched up at another Britstop #750 to discover its changed hands.

Has she (or you?) informed @BritStops ?

 

[Langtoftlad]

Love the reports @Langtoftlad , keep 'em coming!
What's the story behind the swan? What's it made of?


Has she (or you?) informed @BritStops ?

Yup, just sent Steve @BritStops an email.
Everything is currently the same (except change of landlady)

Swan is made of silver (30lbs), its a clockwork automaton... Still works (sort of)...

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[CWH]

Swan is made of silver (30lbs), its a clockwork automaton... Still works (sort of)...

Wow! That's amazing! - thank you

 

[Langtoftlad]

Arghh! No phone signal.
Potted catch up...
High Force Falls, drive to CCC site Dunstan Hills via North Pennines, beautiful.
Walked to Craster, famous for smoked kippers, in the Jolly Fisherman enjoying a Fish Pie which is scrumptious - drool.

Just a shame aI have to walk back...

Stephen

 

[laird of Dunstan]

Last time I was up that way,i walked from craster to the old castle on the headland (Dunstanburgh ) we were to tight to pay the entry fee 30mins or so before the castle closed so we went for a walk down to the shore at the end of the castle wall and were rewarded by a school of pilot whales swimming less than 20 yards from the shore ,it looked like they were teaching the young to catch their own fish

 

[Langtoftlad]

Last time I was up that way,i walked from craster to the old castle on the headland (Dunstanburgh ) we were to tight to pay the entry fee 30mins or so before the castle closed so we went for a walk down to the shore at the end of the castle wall and were rewarded by a school of pilot whales swimming less than 20 yards from the shore ,it looked like they were teaching the young to catch their own fish

Magic - I'll keep an eye out as I walk/trip my way back... walked passed the castle but even though I have reciprocal rights, I'm not too bothered about a ruin when there are so many 'complete' castles in the area....
Its moody though

Sky News is reporting sad death of teenager at High Force Falls last night... police presence still there when I visited.

SOCO asked me to get out of the way for his photos, but as the Copper said "what's the point, we know what happened"
Very sad, but signs everywhere. Of course teenagers believe themselves invincible.
Sad.

 

[Langtoftlad]

So another typical summer's day - grey & drizzle!

Short hop to Seahouses for a Billy Shield (MBE) boat trip to one of the Farne islands...
...but the National Trust had closed the islands to any landings today .

Decided to brave just the boat excursion, and it was the best of a bad job really.
Lots of birds (obviously) & a few seals.
Plenty to look at, including the iconic puffins.

It was OK for viewing but high on impossible to capture any decent shots.

Boat skipper was waxing lyrical about how the EU & politicians had destroyed the local fishing industry... .

And its only lunch time - fish & chips presumably .

I think I'll have an "indoors" day tomorrow !

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[Langtoftlad]

The Pinnacles - loved by the Hairy Bikers (sometime in this decade presumably?)

Cod & Chips.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Certainly an experience being so disconnected .

Anyway yesterday (Friday) I drove the 20 odd miles to Craigside - once Lord Armstrong's estate. A self taught engineer (switched from being a solicitor) he made his fortune from ship building, guns & hydraulics.
His estate significant for hydroelectricity, first electric lamps, etc etc.
The grounds are spectacular too. The vast swathes of Rhododendron were impressive.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Today woke up to sunshine woohoo!
Didn't last long, usual grey soon returned.

Today I'm at Alnwick Castle.
Came on the bus, flagged it down outside the site. Major kudos to the driver getting a double decker around those narrow twisty lanes.

No photos allowed inside but the State rooms are sumptuous, such treasures. The Hogwarts & Downton associations are mere frippery.

Time for "The Lost Cellars"

Later guys
Stephen

 

[Anthea M]

Loving your blog. Some great photos and especially the grub! I fancy looking at Cragside, he was the first person to have electricity in his house I think. The gardens look for amazing to.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Just an addendum to yesterday - bought a locally brewed Alnwick brown ale from the gift shop. The label suggested it went well with Doddington Berwick Edge. Well, as luck would have it, passed a cheese emporium on way back to bus stop.

It is a fine strong tasting cheddar like cheese, and indeed I enjoyed the brown ale to wash it down...

Day off today from culture & tourism.

Sunshine start to the morning, fab for a loaded bacon sarnie, 2 mugs of tea & a Sunday paper sat outside. Magic.
Midday I took the short walk down the beach absorbed the sounds, smells & watched the sea. Sat on the sand (as fine as any Caribbean beach) and read my book for an hour before the clouds (inevitably?) covered the sky & the seabreeze cooled so had a walk along the water's edge (just a bit too chilly to paddle being a softie southerner).

Now in the links golf clubhouse for a tea & (3) sausage bap - doing my little bit for the local economy .

Embleton Bay.

Tonight will be a 1 mile stroll into Embleton to the local & a pint or two.

Enjoy your Sunday folks
Stephen

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[Langtoftlad]

Got a bit wet last night on way back from pub, but that's another great advantage of a MH, dry clothes in the wardrobe .

So, the sun shines on the righteous - which is probably why I seem to have my own personal rain cloud following me around .
However, this morning it was indeed sunny - nevertheless a little sprinkling as I got out of the van at Bamburgh (free parking below the castle) cautioned against getting overconfident.

Had more of a 'museum' feel to the place as none of the State Rooms are laid out as they would have been when the castle was in use.

Lots to see, and quite "accessible" chunks of info, just enough for my grey cells to cope with.

...and as an example, I bought a slice of cake in the cafe to take away because it looked nice & I'd never heard of it.
Now, just a couple of hours later I can't for the life of me recall what it was called

Any suggestion?
Anyway, back to site to enjoy whatever its called ( something tart ?)

Regards Stephen

 

[klaatu]

Border Tart.

 

[Langtoftlad]

So last night the weather was just about good enough for...

Aldi 'Florette" battery assisted charcoal BBQ & Costco meat... And very nice it was too.

This morning saw me back at Seahouses for another go at the Farne Islands

Just in time for the 10am sailing to Staple Island.

Well as promised it was:

"Puffin-mania"

There were of course some guillemots (and by "some" I mean thousands)

...with chicks:

Some gull chicks newly hatched:

Cormorants, with perhaps, slightly older chicks:

But mainly...

 

[Langtoftlad]

...and after the

...back on the boat we had a little tour to see the;

posing for us mad tourists

I suppose I might just have to force down another plate of fish'n'chips.
Seems rude not to .

Have a good day
Stephen.

 

[Anthea M]

Love that area grandparents lived in Wooler used to go to Bambrough beach every Sunday ! Is that huge rock pool still there at other end of the beach? It seemed huge then!!
Love your blog!

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[Langtoftlad]

Tomorrow is (probably) the last day of "Langtoftlad's GBT Part One".


Planning a trip across to Lindisfarne - if I get the tides right .

 

[Anthea M]

Tomorrow is (probably) the last day of "Langtoftlad's GBT Part One".


Planning a trip across to Lindisfarne - if I get the tides right .

There are two pubs if you miss the tide back but I don't think they let MH park over night!

 

[laird of Dunstan]

There are two pubs if you miss the tide back but I don't think they let MH park over night!

if you miss the tide i dont think that theres many options other than to park overnight

 

[Margaritaman]

Enjoying reading about your travels and viewing your photos Stephen. Have to make sure I don't read your posts when I'm hungry though as there are some very appetising food photos too!

 

[Langtoftlad]

Well its 07.45 and I'm parked up at the approach to the Causeway to Lindisfarne.
Safe crossing time isn't until 08.10 but aren't appearances deceptive - looks fine...

...and it probably is, as no doubt the "safe times" build in a healthy buffer, but it's my first crossing so I'll happily wait...
Actually must be OK as a car has just come the other way - I'll still wait though. As a bin lorry & pick-up have just started to cross from this side, I reckon the "buffer" is 20 mins.

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