Sunday 27th March
The weather had turned overnight - as forecast - and it was a damp and misty morning that greeted us.
A quick cuppa, brekky then pack up was swift as there wasn't much to be done. We were hitched up and away shortly after 9am which, allowing for the clocks changing I was well pleased with. We had 260 or so miles ahead of us.
First stop was at Leith services - and I'm glad I fuelled up the night before. Jeez, robbing gits - at least Dick Turpin wore a mask. Caravan parking was in with the lorries but there was plenty of room.
Hetty might not have needed refuelling but we did and whilst Sandra went to get the coffee I took a moment to stretch my legs, well pleased with how well Hetty was towing, although I'd deliberately cycled the display to hide the MPG! The weather was improving too.
Next stop was at Leeming Bar Services, again plenty of room for caravans. Just a pit stop this time and although I was more than prepared to do all the driving, Sandra volunteered to do a stretch and I was more than happy to let her, given that the knee and lower back was beginning to twinge somewhat. The sun was now fully out and it was a beautiful day.
The final stop was just to the west of Newcastle, having decided the day before to take advantage of Sandra's Costco membership to top up Hetty with (relatively) cheap fuel. It was just a few minutes off the A1 and easy enough to find the Costco site, however signs to the filling station itself were non existent and we had a somewhat nerve-wracking tour through the car park drawing bemused looks from shoppers!
Soon we were back on the dear old A1 again for the final stretch and it was as I remembered - the traffic thins out and the landscape opens up, the rugged coastline visible in places. Cruise control was engaged and Hetty handled the occasional inclines with ease.
Stop 2 | Berwick Seaview CAMC | 260 miles @ 23.2 mpg | Pitch 97 | 6 nights
At around 3pm we arrived at the Berwick Seaview Caravan & Motorhome Club site and it was great to be back after 4 years. The pitch that we had back then was occupied but soon found another down a cosy little cul-de-sac offering equally good views across the harbour to Berwick. In truth though most pitches here afford a decent view of some sort.
After a long day driving a lazy evening and an early night was called for but not before a walk around the site in the late afternoon sun.
Batch cooked sausage casserole, raided from the freezer at home provided the sustenance, washed down with a nice glass or two of red. Lovely.
The Solwise mobile internet kit was deployed to stream some telly - Series 3 of The Bay on ITV Hub being on the current watch list.
Monday 28th March
A lazy morning, interrupted only by and Click & Collect from a nearby Asda. It had certainly turned colder out with combination of rain and/or sleet, snow and hail promised for the next few days but the afternoon at least stayed dry as we ventured into Berwick for a couple of hours, having a coffee and taking in the bracing sea air on the delightful ramparts. The morning mist had hung around and the caravan site was barely visible.
Back at Patsy, Sandra cooked up a lovely meal using some left-over beef joint that I’d frozen. Waste not want not etc. I never throw food away if I can help it. Another cosy evening in front of the telly ensued.
Tuesday 29th March
It was at least dry as the blinds were opened Tuesday morning and after brekky we set sail south, back down the A1 to the popular town of Alnwick, about 35 minutes away.
Trev and I visited four years ago and I was keen to come back, whilst it would be a first for Sandra. First up was the castle, home to the Duke of Northumberland, it can also boast Harry Potter connections, some filming having taken place here.
We were there for opening time and, it being pretty chilly decided a coffee was in order prior to exploration.
Suitably fuelled we headed outside to walk the perimeter admiring the views from the Gun Terrace then the short section of accessible Ramparts.
We resisted the lure of ‘Broomstick Training’ and Dragon Quest amongst other activities but it was good to see them putting on things for the young - and no doubt the young at heart too.
The staterooms occupied the centre of the castle and that’s where we headed next. Photography was not allowed inside and there were plenty of guides, not only to ensure we complied but also to impart interesting stories and facts about the castle and it’s occupants.
Back in the town lunch was on the agenda but also a visit to a certain shop - A Taste of Northumbria located in the market square. I was keen to pick up a few local and regional ales - purely for research purposes obviously, but the choice in the shop was breath-taking.
I eventually managed to narrow down my purchases but the very helpful and knowledgeable lady behind the counter still produced a box in which to convey my er, research samples to the car. Expect to see a series on Northumberland ales on the Ale Archive at some point.
Lunch was making it’s way to the top of the agenda and after a short wander settled on a place that I’m pretty sure Trev and I used when last here four years ago. Good value, no nonsense snacks - or a larger meal if required - we opted for filled rolls and a cuppa. A steady stream of locals suggested they were doing something right.
A stop in the town turned out to be rather expensive. Parking was free - discs are purchased in shops for a quid then you can park up to the time limit specified all over Northumberland. However that didn’t cut any ice with the traffic warden and I found a deposit on my windscreen when we returned from lunch.
Of course I could have assumed the gammon hued Daily Mail’esque approach - hard done by motorist targeted by communist over paid council worker following a woke agenda etc etc. But in truth, no complaints. Excited by the imminent potential accruing of research samples I’d inadvertently parked in a Motorcycle bay. No excuse, I should have been paying more attention. It stung for a while though. I hate parting with cash for anything but ‘essentials’. Lesson learnt etc.
Next port of call was Alnwick Garden. Very much a community focussed project and inspired by the Duchess of Northumberland; it is a charity that aims to support Northumbrians of all ages in various projects. It’s also a great place for tourists to visit.
The centrepiece is the grand cascade, immediately visible once through the entrance. My photo does not do it justice but it looks amazing when lit up at night.
Off to the left behind a locked gate was the Poison Garden, accessible only with a tour guide. Strict instructions were given not to touch, sniff or eat anything. The half-hour tour was very informative. Some of the more obvious poisons were highlighted but it was interesting too how many of the gardens inhabitants could be found in your own - Laburnum, Rosemary, Laurel and Ivy to name but a few.
To the right of the Grand Cascade was the Serpent Garden featuring seven stunning water features surrounded by smartly clipped hedges. Believe me you won’t find these in your average garden centre. Fascinating and mesmerising too:
There was still more to see but we decided to call it a day. As I often say - there’ll be another time and there’s little doubt I’ll be back to this part of the world with Patsy at some point in the future - I love it so much.
There was one last stop on the agenda - and one I had been to before but to which was more than happy to return - the fabulous Barter Books in the old Alnwick railway station. After a fortifying and warming cuppa in their café I dived in. I could have spent hours here and lots of pounds too, there’s comfy sofa’s surrounding real fires - but limited myself to a selecting a handful of used paperbacks.
Back at Patsy Sandra prepared another lovely dinner whilst I got stuck into the recently acquired ‘research samples’. Nibbles, TV then bed followed, it had been another fab day in the North-East in the company of a very good friend.
Until Part 3, thank you for taking the time to read.
Cheers
Rich