Northumbrian Coast

After driving (and getting a little lost) along twisting narrow country lanes through spectacular unspoilt countryside we arrive at the coast, and Holy Island with Lindisfarne Castle. It’s about 1.6km off the coast and only measures about 5km x 3km.   It’s a wild, unique landscape - only accessible at low tide.  Surprised to see walkers tackling the route  - you’d want to be confident of your walking pace and tide times!

The Island itself is steeped in history, dating back to the 6th century.  It has a very religious history being associated with several saints and The Venerable Bede was also here for a couple of years.

The villagers are maybe not so holy now, methinks, benefitting from the tourists desire for coffee shops and fish & chips!!  Pretty nonetheless.

These have been photographed many times I’m sure: beach huts adapted from upturned old boats.

We leave before the tide returns to make our way down the coast to Bamburgh Castle - brings back memories of a visit with Helen when we were in our teens.  We were quite windswept up there even today, as back then - and we watched families playing on the beach and sand dunes below - timeless fun.

Looking across the water to the Farne Islands: uninhabited, a source for short boat trips from the nearby popular Seahouses seaside resort where we finished the day off with the best fish and chips I’ve ever had I think.