A very decadent late rise this morning. I don’t think I managed to peel myself out of Brunnehilda’s big comfy Teutonic bed until well gone 10am!
A quick bowl of cereal and a cup of tea and I was leaving the van just as King Charles III was arriving at Westminster Abbey - or so the man on the radio said. It’s weird, as the last time I was in Northumberland his mum was being buried! I’m coming back up here in September - maybe I should tell him?!
I had no great desire to watch the festivities. I’m not particularly a Republican, it’s just that I have a problem with all the hypocrisy from the Daily Mail / Express and their supporters/ readers getting excited about our countries qualities, compassion and other values when we are also cheering on inhuman / illegal policies from Ms Braverman and her ilk! I know that’s my problem but I own it and I will gladly live with it. Seriously, I’m delighted we have a King, if we had the alternative, an elected Head of State instead, I just know who the great British electorate would vote in - Boris Bloody Johnson!
My feet have only partially recovered from Thursday’s walk so I thought I’d do a fairly modest (beach based) 8 miler. After having worked out I’d previously walked from Bamburgh to Alnmouth, I thought it would be nice to walk from Alnmouth to Warkworth - so that’s what I did!
It took me 20 mins to drive to the south side of the Aln river - just opposite Alnmouth. During the short drive down the coast the early morning mist was gradually lifting - which all boded well for a nice walk.
And my goodness, what a nice walk it was - well most of it!! As I walked down to the sea and across the dunes I couldn’t help but notice this wonderful sign - see below.
The tide was quite a way out so the beach walk was amazing. The light was wonderful - the sun shining on the sea mist - and there was no one there. Probably all watching an old man with a funny hat and cloak splashing oil on another old man with a funny hat and cloak. Oh well, everyone to their own!
So this was Alnmouth Bay - perfect. I walked about 3 miles along the beach and saw about 6 people. Even a middle aged couple hand in hand couldn’t spoil my mood - in fact this was just about the perfect place for that sort of behaviour!
The beach suddenly got busy with lots (well half a dozen!) of families. I had reached Warkworth beach car park and obviously the old men in funny hats and capes had finished whatever they were doing on TV!
A quick walk along the car park road, over the medieval bridge and I was in the quant village of Warkworth. Again, a perfect stopping place for my missing travelling companion!
I’ve been here before - last September. Although I arrived after 5 and everything had been shut - including the castle. So, as it was open, it seemed rude not to.
What a place? It’s run by English Heritage and for less than a tener I was in and set up with an audio guide thing. I spent a very enjoyable hour wandering around and listening to a very knowledgeable chap telling me all about it! The dogs were perfectly behaved- dutifully following me around and plonking themselves down when I sat down to listen to my new friend giving me the “ins and outs”.
It was built in the 14th century and was the family home of the Percy’s - Earls of Northumberland. Although it’s partially ruined (by those naughty Parliamentarians in the Civil War) all the rooms in the main tower were accessible - even to an old man and 2 collies!
There were so many fascinating rooms including one in the chapel with a number of tiny slit stone windows - so the “high born” women could join in without actually being seen / getting in the way. Jeremy Clarkson would have loved it!
The sun was still shining so I had hoped to get something to eat at the pub opposite the castle. All the outside seats were being used and I didn’t want to push my luck with the dogs - Bigby is due a return at some stage and I didn’t want to risk it!
So I walked out the town and retraced my steps back to the beach car park. By now the tide was well in so, instead of going on the beach, I headed onto the Coastal Path (aka St Oswald’s Way) and a less windy but not so nice 3 miles back to the car.
My bloody right foot toes and my left foot ankle were really quite painful again so the last couple of miles were tough. I was, once again, very glad to see the car. Just over 8 miles averaging 2.4 miles / hour!!
I went into Embleton village to the local (The Greys Inn) for dinner - at about 7.15. It was very busy with the Saturday night local crowd but I eventually got a table and had a pleasant meal and pint!
The pub is very dog friendly with lots of friendly dogs in the bar. I would have loved to bring them in but … I didn’t!
By the time I finished it was 8.30 and getting dark. I took the dogs down to the beach and golf course at Dunton Steads for one last Northumberland walk.
A lovely hour on WhatsApp with Thom, Rach, Bobby and Hols and then off for an early night.
It’s been a great 4 days. The weather was so much better than advertised - I only got wet once - and I managed to do lots of different walks and see different things so my worry of being in a rut was exercised!
I’m not sure if this “solo holidaying” gets easier? Sometimes I think it definitely does and then other times ….
The Embleton Boy Caravan Park was as great as usual - if it just had better 4G it would be about perfect. Although they have put their prices up another £5 a night compared to last year!
Thanks for reading the blogs. I do find it so helpful to do them. It gives me stuff to think about during the day and then stuff to do at night - very therapeutic!
The final picture - soooo appropriate.
Thanks Mandy for sending it me!
On an historic day like today it feels appropriate to end with some words from Johnny Rotten:
God save the “King”
We mean it, man
(PS This was about the only lyric I could quote that wouldn’t get me taken out of my mothers’ will!!)
No comments:
Post a Comment