Friday 6^th July 

It is easy to see why Alnwick castle has featured in so many films. It was built as a border defence castle but was later transformed into a palace .

https://www.alnwickcastle.com/

 

The state rooms are sumptuous but photos are not permitted. The ceilings are stunning. They were carved out of wood by ex shipbuilders in the 1850s. An Italian craftsman trained them and the task provided about 20 years of work for people whose skills were no longer needed as ships were being made of iron. The huge mirrors that reflect the ceilings are unbelievably smooth & clear.

The gardens are quite separate from the castle and offer different areas and experiences but water features extensively. The variety and ingenuity of the fountains was fun.

The scent in the rose garden was lovely and our timing was just about perfect.

The original walled garden is now a beautiful ornamental garden. The shades of the blue delphiniums just shimmered.

Barter Books in Alnwick's old station building is a warren of comfy corners to read in as well as thousands of books and model trains that run around the tops of the shelves.

We rounded off the day with excellent fish and chips followed by watching gulls and seals catch their suppers as the sun set.

Thursday 5th July
Tynemouth Castle and the 7^th century Priory site was once one of the largest fortified areas in England. Overlooking the North Sea and the River Tyne, they dominate the headland. 

Long Sands Beach on the north side is popular with families and very sheltered.

Two piers were started in 1854 but took over 40 years to complete due to adverse weather conditions amongst other setbacks. In 1898, the north pier was almost completely destroyed in a storm.  The remaining parts of the breakwater were consequently demolished and rebuilt by 1909 to a design by John Wolfe-Barry, who is probably best known for designing and constructing Tower Bridge in London.

A gun battery was built underground into the cliffs to defend the Tyne in the First and Second World Wars. The arches provide sheltered nesting sites for gulls.

There were several ships working along what appeared to be a sandbar.

Herd Groyne was built in the early 1880's to stop the sand from the beaches in Tynemouth's Harbour washing into the Tyne. The Lighthouse was built in 1882 and shows a series of lights indicating directions to be taken upon entering the port's breakwater walls. These still exist in fantastic condition.

We have now travelled about 30 miles north up the coast to Amble.

Wednesday 4th July
Blue sky, blue sea and the long sandy beach at Whitley Bay. We decided to walk the two or so miles from the town to St Mary's lighthouse.

It can be reached over a causeway at low tide.

We climbed the 137 steps to the light room at the top.

The views in all directions were far reaching and varied.

We explored the island and were fortunate enough to see some seals basking in the afternoon sun.

The white building in the distance is the iconic Whitley Bay amusement park, Spanish City, to which we returned as we are staying nearby.



Thursday 28th June
A picturesque drive up Sutton Bank and through the Hambleton Hills took us to Nunnington Hall today. The British Wildlife Photographic Awards Exhibition is currently displayed in the attic rooms there and is well worth seeing.

The Carlisle Collection of 16 miniature rooms is also here. The attention to detail is stunning.

There are extensive and varied gardens which have been developed organically over 15 years.

This was the perfect spot for an enjoyable hot summer's day.

Tuesday 26th June
We sought shade under the trees as we enjoyed exploring the woods and gardens at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in temperatures in the high 20's.

No posts until today (31st) as we are now back and there was no internet connection at second flat.
Saturday 26th May
We walked down from Pisa Centrale station and passed the Church of Santa Maria della Spina on the banks of the river. It was built in the Gothic style in 1230 and enlarged in 1325.

Our next port of call for lunch was the Orto Botanico di Pisa - the botanical gardens founded in the 16th century. It has an arboretum, greenhouses and some areas planted with medicinal herbs.

Naturally we headed into town to the Piazza del Duomo to catch our first glimpse of the leaning tower.

The leaning tower is actually the freestanding bell tower of the cathedral. It is 191 feet high and leans over 12 feet from vertical (3.9 degrees). It is a beautiful structure and was even better than we had imagined.

Adjacent to Pisa Cathedral in the Piazza del Marcoli is the Baptistry of Saint John with its large dome.

The main doors of the cathedral are made of bronze and are 3D depictions of the life of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.