Sunday

Australia v Wales in the rugby world cup was on this morning so, as the rain was falling we stayed in to watch and Kath did some revision.

We got out at 10.45 and walked along the beaches north up to Bamburgh.

In the 3 days we have been here we've seen loads and loads of dogs

We looked for somewhere to have our packed lunch and spotted a hill with a bench on it. I made a joke to Kath that she needed to go and bag it for us. We lost sight of her in the dunes and, at a junction of paths asked a couple if they had seen a girl pass them. They said yes so we carried on down a path but she was nowhere to be seen, nor anyone else. Looking back we spotted her on the hill - she had actually sped off to bag the bench so we don't know who the couple had seen.

The bench had this plaque

Lovely views...

But it was windy and we soon got cold so we went down to have a hot drink and scone before walking back home.

Tonight Kath goes back to Leeds and we have an early start in the morning to get to Oban for our ferry to Mull.

Saturday - a top walk

The plan for today was to do a 10 mile one way walk from Craster back to Seahouses - rated by the Guardian as one of the top 10 UK walks. We drove my car out to Craster, walked back to Seahouses and took Kath's car back to collect mine.

Although we knew it was a long walk there was so much to see that the first 3 miles took over one and three quarter hours. We set off in light rain but the raincoats were soon packed away then the jumpers as it was a glorious day.

Craster

Through a herd of bullocks to Dunstanburgh Castle

As we walked a rocky beach we noticed something strange. Kath realised it was a beached but very dead whale so immediately made her way towards it with Martin. A man some way further up the path started shouting No, stay back it's dangerous. He kept shouting as he made his way towards us, determined to be heard. Apparently the humpback had washed ashore on Sunday last and was emitting dangerous chemicals and had lice which would be keen to find a new host. Warnings had been issued in the media but we hadn't seen any of it.

More views along the way

Another dead thing this time a seal

Lunch stop at Beadnell Bay

Dead fish this time

A welcome sight - the end of our long walk

Friday

Today's forecast was heavy rain at 14.00 so we got out sharpish to drive to Holy Island.  The safe crossing time ended at 12.05 so we decided to drive across the causeway to ensure we had enough time to walk around the island and leave. If we didn't make it we would be stuck until 18.30 - Kath was anxious the whole time not wanting to miss her revision.

A strange life for the residents to always have to think about tide times but a lovely place to live.

Once off the island we stopped for a coffee then went to Bamburgh to eat lunch on the beach then walk for a bit to see the impressive castle. Got back to the house just before the rain started. After we chilled and Kath had put her hours in on the books we popped to the pub for a drink before dinner. Lots of Geordie accents.

We were stopped at a level crossing on the way and there were these oddities for sale which meant we were all saying "should have bought a squirrel"! (Rat Race).

The Priory on Holy Island

Possibly St Cuthberts but could not get near as hadn't paid admission.

Martin practising his knots in the old lifeboat station

We could hear seals on a nearby sandbank - a strange, haunting sound

"Here you go Mum"......rude

Art on the east side of the island

Washed up jelly fish

Kath showing Martin a yoga move before lunch

Leeds to Northumberland

Martin was home early from his sailing trip so we decided to drive to Leeds late Wednesday evening instead of early doors Thursday morning. We were glad as the journey was in dry conditions whereas Thursday morning we would have driven through heavy rain. We put Kath out though as both of her lodgers were there so she had to give up her lovely big bed for her old mum and dad and kip on the sofa.

Kath had reported that one of her loos wasn't working and Martin spent a few hours Thursday morning trying to mend it and I made 2 trips to Screwfix. In the end he had to admit defeat in order for us to leave for Northumberland so she will need to get a plumber in.

I drove our car and Martin accompanied Kath in her car on the 2.5 hour journey to Seahouses. Our accommodation for the 4 night stay, is a 2 bedroom house on a housing estate. It's very quiet though so I suspect a few houses are holiday rentals. This one has a Sold sign and when I looked it up online and in the description it states that it would be a good holiday home.

After settling in we walked around the small town (mostly fish and chip, ice cream or gift shops) and around the fishing harbour. The Farne islands are just offshore so there are tourist excursion boats. One enterprising fisherman offers the chance for tourists to join him on his trips out to collect his crab and lobster pots.

The coffee table has been commandeered by Kath for her revision papers and our timings of our walks will ensure she can revise for a few hours each day (3 exams early November).