Day One - Ponteland

Day One – 18 July

Accommodation – Private accommodation at Ponteland outside Newcastle on Tyne

Weather – mostly sunny

Temperature – top of 20 degrees

During our stop-over in London we learnt the dreadful news of the Malaysian Airline disaster and it brought it so much closer to home knowing we had just passed over Europe via Estonia on our way to the UK.   I’m sure most people at the airport were not aware of the unfolding disaster.

After a 30 hour flight we finally landed at 10pm in Newcastle on Tyne and were met by our lovely host Stuart.  He and his wife Ingrid had very kindly offered to show us around Northumberland for a few days.

Bed beckoned after a late night cup of tea in the vast kitchen complete with an Aga.  We decided to waken at 7.30am to accustom ourselves to our new time zone.

The first day presented us with a glorious sunny day, blue skies and a view of Ingrid and Stuart’s beautiful garden.  Breakfast was English style with kippers as a treat.

A leisurely stroll with our hosts and Roo the Labrador around the little village of Ponteland took us by a babbling brook, tree-lined paths and signs warning of red squirrels crossing roads before a coffee in the garden at home.

Now, you don't see this in Australia.  Unfortunately, the introduced American Grey Squirrels have been a very bad enemy.

 

It was then off into the country side via Military Road (built by the Romans), through the small villages of Once Brewed and Twice Brewed for an English pub meal at The Mile Castle Inn at Cawfields.   Along the way we passed the remnants of Hadrian’s Wall dotted with walkers wending their way along the 84 mile National Park trail.  The trail runs from Wallsend in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west.  The game pate for lunch was delicious and the bar-lady identified the ingredients as venison heart, liver, onion, salt and a dash of red wine.  I think I’ve had my fill of iron for the day!

Soaking up the English pub atmosphere whilst exploring Northumberland County.

Hadrian's Wall.

Along Hadrian’s Wall is a beautiful sycamore tree used in Robin Hood – Prince of Thieves.  It lies in a gap in the wall.  Every mile along the wall is a fort hence the name of the pub we visited.  The forts housed the Roman soldiers who manned the barrier.   A little further on from the pub we walked up to the wall and took in the commanding views of Northumberland.  By this time the weather had turned overcast and there was quite a wind blowing.

The drive through the area was very picturesque, mostly fields of wheat, bales of hay, sheep and cattle and the ubiquitous stone houses of the area with their white painted windows and lace curtains.

 Our next stop was for a cup of tea in the delightful and very tiny village of Simonburn and  the local Tea Room.  The sun had popped its head out again and we sat looking through the glass panelled windows into a very British garden complete with trellises, pots of flowers and brilliant green grass.  The 12^th century church of St Mungo was a short stroll down the path and what a treat this church is… beautiful stained glass windows, old fonts, worn stone tiles and carved statues of notable people from the area including the Cuthbert Family made from 1604 to 1636. A church has stood on this site since the 6^th century.

Ahh....an English country garden.

The delightful St Mungo's in Simonburn.

 

Ingrid and Stuart’s son James, who we know from Australia, and his wife Catherine were travelling to meet up with us for the weekend so we waited for them to join us before heading off to the Diamond Inn in Ponteland for a few ales.  It was a busy fun affair before we departed for take-away Indian around the large kitchen table at Ingrid and Stuart’s lovely home.

I am quite intrigued by the bungalow – it’s very much like Escape to the Country the British program we see on Australian television.  It has a beautiful garden and everything is at its peak due to the lovely weather at the moment.  Pride and joy at the rear of the house are large raised vegetable garden beds, a glass house and a seating area for the good weather – the British are such optimists!

All in all, we have had a terrific introduction to this little magical part of England.  Tomorrow we are off on a grand driving tour where James wants to show us his favourite areas.  More fun is in store!

.