Day Two - Ponteland, Northumberland

19 July, 2014

Accommodation:  private – Ponteland

Weather – overcast, warm with showers late afternoon

Temperature: top of 18 degrees

After another kipper breakfast for the boys we set off in the Land Rover northwards through the chocolate box countryside – albeit misty and the promise of future rain.

We drove through Rothbury which was holding a traditional music festival.  The streets were awash with floral colour – beautiful gardens and hanging plants adorned the area. 

Alnwick was just a little way further and we explored the lovely village now made famous with Alnwick Castle as it has featured  in the Harry Potter series.  The castle entrance stands at the end of the main street however the grounds are vast and is the seat of the Duke of Northumberland.  The enterprising Northumberlands have set up marvellous gardens including The Tree House which is a fanciful function and dining centre which was a delight to visit.  The house is made up of shingles, assorted tea rooms and a restaurant all decorated as a child’s tree house would appear.  A dark sky enhanced our visit with the fairy lights entwined around the wooden bridges.

Alnwick Castle the home of the Duke of Northumberland....Harry Potter, where are you?

The beautiful cobbled stoned streets of Alnwick.

The Tree House situated in the vast estate of the Duke of Northumberland.

 

Lunch beckoned at the sweet fishing village of Craster famous for its kippers and crab sandwiches.  The smoke house is in the centre of the village and a roaring trade occurs due to the famousness of the kippers, crabs and herrings.  The Jolly Fisherman is a well known local haunt and we loved eating our way through the sandwiches and wine and overlooking the sea fret (more like a pea-souper) which had come in due to the rising heat.  We then enjoyed a lovely stroll around the little harbour passing the old fishing houses and lobster baskets to the entrance of the little harbour.

David bought some kippers here which proved to be very sweet.

The sea fret (mist) can be seen through the little harbour.

The village is now very popular with tourists.

This photo had to be included...my grandson's name is Thomas H!

It was a rainy journey back to Ponteland so we had timed our day well.

Jetlag finally overcame me and a nanna nap was in order.  Dinner was at Francos, a really fun Italian restaurant in Prudhoe.  We passed Wylam where George Stevenson of steam engine fame was born and raised.

Unfortunately, I had a bit of a tummy bug, but according to David and the rest of our table (all seven) the meals were divine including apparently, the best prawns David has ever had which included anchovies and chilli.  It certainly cleared his sinuses halfway through the meal.

Northumberland has certainly been a really lovely visit made all the more special as our hosts have taken us to their favourite haunts.  It’s not a well known part of the UK which may be fortunate in itself – it’s largely unspoilt by huge crowds of tourists and the local traditions remain intact.

Tomorrow we are exploring Newcastle and Gateshead which is part of Tyne and Weir County.