We decided to give Tilly (and ourselves!) a bracing beach walk early on. So we headed in the car to the nearby Dunstan Steads. We were on the beach in 2 minutes. Tilly was once again in her element and Di and I walked hand in hand against a howling southerly wind - it was like being in a giant sand blaster - but strangely enjoyable! Indeed holding hands with someone on a beach is something that brought back lots of lovely memories of Kim and something I am so thankful to be doing again with another special person (and no, I don’t mean that sort of “special”!). I always hoped one day I would and I know Kim would be happy for me. I’m certainly happy for me. I know Di is too!? Although, I think if Tilly could hold hands I might have had a bit of competition!!
The wind died down a bit as we climbed up over the dunes and on towards Dunstanburgh Castle. The dramatic ruins at the top of the cliff against the background of an angry sea is so evocative. We climbed up the incline towards the entrance. It opens for the season tomorrow! No problem though as we weren’t planning to go in - too many sheer drops which is not good when you have a crazy collie in tow!
We admired the beautiful views over to Craster. Thought for a nano second about walking there and then headed for the calm of the car via the dunes / golf course / beach.
Back to Brunnehilda for a wee and then off to Alnwick - the perfect place on a windy drizzly afternoon. The Castle was shut for the winter so our collective minds went straight to food. A friend had recommended “Dirty Bottles” but when we got in and viewed the menu Di thought it felt a bit “chainy” - she was right! So we walked right out. A couple of doors up and Di was looking at the menu of a little cafe down a small and quant back alleyway - called Strawberry Lounge. A customer on his way out spoke to her and said that we really needed to get in there as the food was amazing and cheap!
We went it and guess what - he was right. All homemade stuff. Di had a cheese toastie and the best chicken soup she’d ever had while I chose a rather wonderful cheese pie (and some beetroot soup). The owners were lovely and insisted on feeding Tilly some left over ham as we were leaving. What a place / find. It turned out, that according t’internet (referenced later) it was the best cafe in the town scoring 5 out of 5 with 499 reviews!
The rather large owner (who looked a bit like a cross between a 1970’s British pro wrestler and a Hells Angel) looked a bit concerned when i ordered. I think he expected that we had over ordered. He was right but not by as much as he thought!
Here again, I remembered the many lovely cafes Kim and I had found on our previous Brunnehilda travels and how wonderful it was to find another one with Di.
Feeling very stuffed, we walked through the town popping into a few shops that interested us. On the way out we popped into the amazing Barters Books. A huge second hand book shop set in an old Victorian station - including a miniature train running around the ceiling!
Retailed out we headed home. Although we fancied a drink before finally retiring. So we headed for the lovely hotel / restaurant in our village- The Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel. The staff and locals were great and it was very dog friendly. There was a quiz about to start but we felt the call of The Sopranos louder than the call of getting an intellectual stuffing from a load of Geordies?
So we were settled down with snacks and the Sopranos box set for the night. Considering the wind and the grey skies, it had been another splendid day.
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