Nov 21: North East - Durham, Newbiggin

Wednesday 17 November

We declared this the first day of our holiday after an Indian meal and a trip to see the Glow lights at RHS Bridgewater.

Thursday 18 November

We set off for a recce after booking into the hotel. 

About half an hour to walk to the cathedral.

Then back for a meal before venturing out in the evening for the Lumiere lights. Had to try the parmo 😁

Lovely mild evening for a walk round the lights.

Friday 19 November

Onwards to our next stay, a week in Newbiggin by the sea. 

A short journey so we called in at places along the way. Our first stop was in Sunderland to look at the minster.

Some lovely buildings.

Then over the river Wear.

Coffee and cake and a mooch round the National Glass Centre the other side of the river.

Some amazing glass sculptures.

And a comment on recycling - and the Japanese art of kintsugi.

A brief stop at St Mary's island lighthouse near Whitley bay with its tidal causeway.

The sun mostly came out for us and it wasn't even too cold - great weather for mid November!

Saturday 20 November

A grey start to the day.

Seaton Delaval hall - being restored atm but very impressive in the 18th century.

Francis, the oldest son, encouraged travelling players and entertainers to call at the hall and instigated the practical jokes for which the Delavals became notorious.

 

Going to bed could be an unnerving experience at Seaton Delaval Hall. Guests would retire to their bedrooms and while they were undressing, mechanical hoists would suddenly raise the bedroom walls, exposing them to public view. In one bedroom, there was a four-poster bed which could be lowered into a tank of cold water, complete with occupants, by winding a handle in the room next door. In another room, drunken guests would be put to bed in the dark, and awaken in the morning to find themselves lying on the ceiling. The room was completely inverted, the chairs and tables were stuck to the ceiling, and the chandelier was in the middle of the floor.

Then back to the lighthouse on St Mary's island to see if the tide was in or out. We still weren't sure but the causeway was water free so over we went.

Within minutes we were told to make our way back across to the mainland as the tide was turning - and the causeway was very quickly flooded. 

Then on to Tynemouth for fish and chips and a wander.

Sunday 21 November

Some impressive cloudscapes at sunrise over The Couple structure off the beach. 

Off to Newcastle for the day.  On Millennium bridge.

 

Central Arcade - built as a corn exchange but never used as that. 

The first castle on this spot was built by Robert Curthose, son of William the Conqueror around 1080. This was the new castle which gave the town its name.

Grey's monument.

St Nicholas cathedral.

Queen Victoria monument - said to face down the street because she couldn't turn her back on the cathedral or the town hall.

The vampire rabbit - nothing really known about origins of this!

Site of Thomas Bewick's (famous wildlife illustrator and engraver) workshop.

Amen corner - thought to mark the point where the Cathedral's processions would gather.

The high level bridge designed by Robert Stephenson.  Trains still use the top level but only buses and pedestrians use the lower level now - volume of traffic too much now.

Quayside Sunday market.

The Sage Gateshead. A space for performance.

 Tyne bridge.

Monday 22 November

Early morning walk to watch the sunrise.

We hopped along the coast stopping at various places.

Lunch in Amble. Mike enjoyed his langoustines - a huge plateful for about £9! Chowder for me - delicious 😋

A quick trip to Morpeth to look at the Christmas lights.

Tuesday 23 November

Up to Seahouses then hopping back down the coast in the sunshine.

Alnwick castle was closed.

Wednesday 24 November

Another beautiful sunrise.

Bertorelli's for breakfast then a walk round the headland.

 

Watched a couple of men and their friend (who stayed dry!) retrieve their lobster pots from the reef and re-site them. Too far away to see if they had caught anything.

Thursday 25 November

Back to Newcastle in the sunshine to finish our sightseeing.

Huge queues outside Fenwick's to look at the animated Shaun the sheep windows.

Then a further wander round - cold but sunny.

We walked over the bridge to the Gateshead side and strolled along the side of the Tyne out to Dunstan Staithes.

Then back into the centre and a stroll in the opposite direction. The filters on the quayside were good fun.

Bit more sightseeing.

Lovely evening light.

Friday 26 November

Homeward bound just before the bad weather and Storm Arwen set in.

Last walk along the beach at Seaham Hall.

Sea glass.

Home as the storm hit the north east. 

A lovely week!