Same old, same old. The country is still in drought, it’s still hot and we’ve had no rain in months. Not true, actually. There was about a twenty-minute downpour on Thursday evening. We’re about to enter our fourth or fifth official “heatwave” of the summer so everyone’s looking forward to that.
We’ve been up in Northumberland this past week. Again.
I think that makes five or six trips there so far this year and we’ve enjoyed every one. We first went there about four years ago – Daisy was just a few months old. It was one of our earlier outings in Chlamydia, the Campervan, and we crammed a lot into a couple of lovely days.
So, we keep coming back. The scenery is dazzling and the coast is simply gorgeous, dog-friendly and vastly under-crowded. What’s not to like?
So, time to spill the beans, I guess. We like it so much we made a rash & reckless decision to buy a pair of lovely cottages a few miles east of Alnwick, just a mile from the fabulous coast. One of the cottages has been used as a holiday let for some years; the second was the home of the former owners which we intend to also make available for holiday lets. So, the last couple of trips we have been clearing stuff out (we’re now on first name terms with the very helpful chaps at the local recycling centre), and gathering the bits and pieces holiday makers will need. There’s some painting and decorating to do, which I know Penny is eager to get her teeth into. And I am ready to admire the human dynamo when she kicks into action.
Nick, Anabelle and her friend Asha, endured the long drive north and we had a great couple of days with them and Adam and family are coming up next week – fingers crossed for decent weather so the girls can play on the beach.
Inevitably, when we visit Northumberland, we spend a lot of time strolling along the beach or tramping along the Coastal Path, stumbling to reach yet another castle. Daisy adores the beach. She’s either digging, chewing a stick, inspecting the vegetation for evidence of any small rodents or scampering across the wide-open spaces to see if a dog or two would like a little game of chase.
It’s hard to avoid stumbling across a castle or several. One bright sunny day we set off along the coastal path to Dunstanburgh, located on the coast between Emberton and Craster, and which dominates the landscape north and south. It was built in the early 14th century by Thomas, the 2nd Earl of Lancaster as a defensive refuge against the King, whom he opposed. He also probably meant it as a statement of his wealth and influence which would invite comparison with the royal castle of Bamburgh just up the coast. Interesting to note which of those two is now a ruin, looked after by English Heritage and the National Trust, and which is still intact and, indeed, still occupied.
It’s still a formidable sight from up and down the coast.
Lots of birthday wishes this week. My darling youngest sister, Sarah, is another year older today! Happy Birthday to You! It also happens to be my great-niece, Azalea’s, birthday as well. Two on the same day – what are the chances of that? Azalea’s a little bit younger than Sarah. And, next Saturday will be my younger brother Sandy’s birthday – no matter how hard he tries each year, he never will catch me! Happy Birthday to you all!
Meanwhile, keep breathing, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And, be gentle to wasps and bees – we need all the pollinators we can get. And, hold your loved ones close.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg