Friday 1st April
Our last full day at Berwick looked pretty dodgy weather-wise but no matter - our destination this morning had been governed by the tides - namely the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
The causeway would be clear until just after lunch so once again we set off down the A1. The skies were leaden and there was a smattering of snow on the hills in the distance.
You may remember that I've been to Holy Island before - a couple of times - but Sandra hadn't and I was more than happy to return. It just has that something that seems to engender a feeling of calm as you cross the causeway.
Having parked up and waited for the recently arrived rain to stop, a hot drink was top of the list and a café adjoining the post office was nearby. We'd had breakfast before leaving - healthy if not particularly exciting cereals - but the cooked breakfasts that were coming out of the kitchen smelt and looked superb. Noted for any future visit.
Trev and I had lucked out on visiting the castle on previous visits due to renovation and it was closed again today. We had a wander around the church yard adjacent the priory and a look at the war memorial and across to the mainland before darting into the church whilst the next shower passed.
We called into the Lindisfarne Meads shop - another impressive collection of local and regionals ales but I restricted my purchases to just one.
In the English Heritage shop they had black leather, yes leather tankards. A must for the Blogger in Black I thought, until I upturned one to see the price. Yes they were no doubt hand made but fifty quid buys and awful lot of ‘research’.
Another break in the rain and time was marching on se we decided to head back to the car - it would have been nice to have had the sunshine to wander around it but it had still been a good visit.
We'd booked tickets for Bamburgh Castle but decided to head past it, to Seahouses to eat our lunch, thinking somewhere overlooking the little harbour would be good.
Seahouses is also the gateway to the Farne Islands but we doubted there would many heading there today - the sea looked pretty angry it has to be said and it wouldn't have been much fun on a boat.
We found a spot to park up and consumed our lunch whilst flicking the windscreen wipers to get some sort of a view.
Eventually the shower passed and small patches of blue sky were emerging as we headed back to Bamburgh.
You can't miss the castle as you approach - sitting high up right on the coast it is stunning, overlooking too the village of Bamburgh which we'd passed through on the way to Seahouses. There was a large car park opposite - recently resurfaced by the look of it - and with some dedicated parking for motorhomes. We swung in here to get a pic then headed across the road and up the slope to the castle car park itself.
The slope continued up to the castle entrance and the nice chap in the little hut taking the money summoned the buggy to run us up there, even letting us nestle in said hut while we waited.
I do like a castle and the staterooms were fab. There was an interesting video by the current incumbent - Lord Armstrong - who considers his family merely custodians of the castle. It has a long and chequered history, as many do, but it was well preserved.
The amble through the staterooms took about an hour and we emerged - via the inevitable gift shop - where a regional ale was duly purchased - to clear skies and bright sunshine. Some hardy folk were even on the delightful looking beach down below.
A restorative cuppa was taken in the café - served properly in a tea pot - and they radioed through for the buggy to take us back to the car. It had been a fab visit and again highlighted the friendliness and hospitality that I love so much about the North-East.
Back in Berwick Hetty was refuelled too for the next days’ journey and I was grateful that prices had at least not climbed further. Patsy was swiftly brought to habitable temperature on our return and another cosy evening in followed. It had been a good day and a great end to our time in the North-East. It’s a site - and area - to which I will doubtless return - it’s just a pity it’s so far away but Hetty is proving to be a fab tow car and long journey’s are much more relaxing with her, covering the miles effortlessly.
Saturday 2nd April
A frosty night preceded a bright sunny morning as we packed up in readiness for another road trip and departed on time at 10:30am for the trip cross country to Cumbria.
After exploring Hetty’s capabilities on the trip up the A1 six days ago I was keen this time to see how many MPG I could wring out of her as we set off down the A1. Traffic was light and cruise control was soon engaged, changes of gear only required as we got closer to Newcastle and eased through the roadworks - I’m pretty sure they here here four years ago too!
Tranquillity was resumed once on the A69 heading west and a little after 1pm we pulled up at Englethwaite Hall club site after one of my most enjoyable tows to date. Hetty had been a bit more economical too.
Stop 3 | Englethwaite Hall CAMC | 119.3 miles @ 25.3 mpg | Pitch 7
Sandra sorted lunch whilst I sorted the water and, seemingly reading my mind had extracted a beer from the fridge too.
Our sit outside in the sunshine was short lived though. The clouds were moving fast and having set the recliners up by the ‘van I was swiftly putting them away again. Oh well, nap o’clock was approaching anyway and we both settled down for snooze, waking to find the rain had passed.
Legs needed stretching and we had a walk around the site, once the site of, you’ve guessed it, Englethwaite Hall. The original entrance pathway can still be seen.
I had heard many good reports about this site and judging by first impression they were not wrong. A lovely location, well laid out and very well kept. There being no facilities block was not an issue for either of us.
This was not my first attempt at visiting. The first was to be in March 2020, then you know what arrived. The second was in March 2021, and you know what lingered. The next was that summer - except they were full. Fourth time lucky!
We had a quick run into Armathwaite village in need of some spuds but the village shop had closed for the day. No matter, it would be sausage Bolognese for tea rather than sausage casserole, there being a plentiful supply of pasta in Patsy! We also sought out the two village pubs and were to return to the Fox and Pheasant later. Sandra had offered to drive and I was more than happy to let her.
A proper locals boozer but welcoming to visitors, we decided to take to the pool table, it being years since either of us had picked up a cue.
And it showed, with shots reminiscent of Inspector Clouseau from that hilarious scene in ‘A Shot in the Dark’ I somehow came out victorious. What was more important though was that it was a very pleasant evening indeed.
And that’s it for this part, lots more waffle to come (I’m afraid) but that will have to wait until Part 5.
Until then…