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Published: August 6th 2010
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I spent a weekend up in Northumberland! Despite the uncomfortable coach ride, we stopped in Durham for a few hours. The chap, Phil, who sat next to me on the coach wanted me to explore Durham with him. I usually prefer to go and do my own thing and do not like to compromise with whenever I am travelling. I agreed that I am happy to walk together to the cathedral and castle and leave him to it and that we will meet up later on to have a drink. I was in Durham in April (See
Day Tripping in the North East!) and already had seen the main sights. I was happy to relax and read by the River Wear where I had my lunch and had a coffee at one of the cafes nearby. I met up with Phil later and we had a drink at a bar. Bars and Pubs are not really my scene but it was in the afternoon so it was not too bad.
We met the coach and travelled up to our overnight acommodation at Newcastle Airport. We had dinner where I was pleasantly surprised with the food offered at the hotel. I eventually settled in my room
Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Castle Lindisfarne, Holy Island, Northumberland, UK for the night. I was initially worried that I would not have slept because of my ongoing skin allergies and the noises from the planes. I need not to have worried because I had a good night's sleep, which is rare for me when I stay in different places.
Holy Island of Lindisfarne The next morning and after breakfast we rode up to Holy Island. I was worried about the little time we were going to be given on the Island but it worked out more than enough in the end plus there were the tide issues as well. I spent most of my time exploring Lindisfarne Castle, a National Trust Property and built originally as a Tudor Fort. It is perched on a hill at one end of the Island which is seen soon as you arrive on the Island. The castle is small but pleasant and there were great views of the village, harbour and surroundings. I could even see Bamburgh castle in the distance. I had a quick wander around the village and visited St Mary's church and its graveyard. I saw Lindisfarne Priory from the outside and St Cuthbert's shrine where the Saint
was an Island legend and marytr in the 600-700 AD from when the first monastry was built. We eventually joined the coach for the short ride to Bamburgh.
Bamburgh and Seahouses We only had a short time in Bamburgh. We did not have time to look around the impressive castle and I felt I would not give the place justice for the amount of money I was going to be charged. I will have visit the castle on another trip. Instead, I had a wander down the beach, which was nice, and got to see the North Sea.
We had a lunch stop at Seahouses where I had fish and chips at the harbour. The fish and chips were not the best in the world but they sufficed. I would have love to have taken a boat trip to the nearby Farne Islands but time did not permit and, again, this will have to be for a future trip. Seahouses was nice and there are a number of seagulls that congregate around the harbour front. However, like many seaside towns, there is a tacky feel to the place with its never ending souvenir shops, icecream bars
Lindisfarne Castle
Holy Island, Northumberland, UK and fish and chip shops! I guess the town is a perfect place for conveniences and stocking up before exploring more of the Northumberland Coast.
Afterwards, for the journey home I endured another uncomfortable coach journey: small seats and no leg room! We had a comfort stop then got into Leeds early evening. I was so happy to get off the bus!!!
Overall, it was nice to get a tastle of Northumberland and its coast. It is a place where I would love to return to in the future.
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