Day 32 – Ponteland, Newcastle

Accommodation – private

Weather – sunny and windy

Temperature – mid to high teens

I slept like the dead last night and I think it all had to do with a good pillow!  I’m going to have to invest in a feather pillow as they really do make a difference after the many and varied I’ve tried on this trip.

Today, Stuart and Ingrid, their grandsons and David and I went on a small tour not too far from Ponteland.  The trip started at The Parlour, a great little coffee shop and nursery before heading to Northumberland’s famous ‘Lady of the North’ or otherwise known as Northumberlandia.

Northumberlandia is an enormous sculptured land form set in 46 acres of community parkland.  The woman is made out of the Shotton coal mine overburden and is a rehabilitation of the site.  The large surfaces are covered with grass, and paths have been created to wander over the 100 foot high and ¼ mile long figure.  From the top of the head we had great views of the district including the ocean where we were heading next.

Northumberlandia from the air which gives a good idea of the size of the man-made land form.

Atop the structure - the forehead with the seaside in the distance.  It was a very cool walk with a brisk wind.



Seaton Sluice sits on a large beach with St Mary’s lighthouse at the southern end.  We walked the gusty path to get good views of the beach and the rolling waves.  It looked more like Queensland than northern England!

Gorgeous little Seaton Sluice....the local's secret!

Rolling waves and a walk around the headland.

St Mary's Lighthouse from the headland.

 



We were going to have a picnic of fish and chips but the blustery wind had increased so we retreated inside the shop and as luck would have it, one table of six was available.  What a meal!  I chose a cod bite which was large, however the others chose a ‘regular’ size meal which was enormous.  We also had mushy peas served with the fish and chips which is apparently ‘de rigeur’ here although I’ve never heard of it before.  It was a nice combination.

Can you believe this.......and so, the great eating tour of Northern England and Scotland came to a close in the lovely seaside village of Seaton Sluice.



After our lovely day it was time to regroup, pack, and organise ourselves for our flight.

Our hosts, Ingrid and Stuart, have been wonderfully generous with their time and hospitality.  With goodbyes came promises of hosting them and family members in Australia to repay their kindness.  I hope they follow through and visit us.

This last blog has been written at Hong Kong airport where we are having a four hour stop over.  I’m feeling a bit teary thinking our adventures are now over.  It will be lovely to catch up with the family…..but more adventures are in store.  It’s back to more planning.

So, it’s bidding farewell to my blog followers…..until next time!

......signing off!