Interesting week in Northumberland

George and Lech organised a fantastic week in Northumberland - supposedly walking but didn't quite turn out like that.

Nice stops on the way down from Forfar for lunch near Tantallon Castle then in Eyemouth.

On arrival there was the welcoming committee - who kept turning up throughout our stay at Poppy Cottage.

Glenn did lots of walking with Lech and George. I missed out as I had a bad cold. One day Glenn and Lech walked 16km from Boulmer back to Newton on the Sea - having a local specialty - kipper on a roll - half way. Then a pint in a beachside pub with a crowd of singing walkers.

I managed to join the walking on the last day - including birdwatching and pub lunch in the same old pub.

The Farne Islands boat trip was a highlight - with multitudes of birds - 100,000 puffins supposedly.

Not an inch in the rocks spare. The rangers on the islands wear hazmat suits due to bird flu - and no one else can step on the island. There is on average only 1 bird dying per day - as opposed to 20 previously.

The first photo was before the trip - and the last one after 😊

Had a traditional fish and chip lunch with mushy peas, white bread and butter and tea afterwards- all part of the English seaside experience!

Also a quick stop at the Beadnell lime kilns from 1798.

Thanks to George and Lech and their local knowledge - accumulated from about 52 visits there! It's an amazing area.