What a delightful trip!
43 intrepid travellers set off for the far north at the beginning of June, eager to explore the treasurers of Northumberland! On a journey of 5-6 hours a break was essential so we spent an enjoyable few hours at Nostell Priory, the estate where John Harrison spent his childhood. He later invented the marine chronometer, a device for solving the problem of how to calculate longitude while at sea. One of his surviving wooden clocks was much admired as was the dolls house and Chippendale furniture.
43 intrepid travellers set off for the far north at the beginning of June, eager to explore the treasurers of Northumberland! On a journey of 5-6 hours a break was essential so we spent an enjoyable few hours at Nostell Priory, the estate where John Harrison spent his childhood. He later invented the marine chronometer, a device for solving the problem of how to calculate longitude while at sea. One of his surviving wooden clocks was much admired as was the dolls house and Chippendale furniture.
Next morning the dramatic castle, Alnwick, was on the itinerary. On the coach we met Jan, a very knowledgeable blue badge guide who decided it was perfectly normal to tell us all about the history whilst standing in the pouring rain! Fortunately it was only a short sharp shower! Jan was with us all week and was a fount of knowledge - and amusing anecdotes - about all the places we visited. Alnwick has been frequently used for films including Blackadder, Downton Abbey - and Harry Potter, you can even take broomstick riding lessons and learn to play quidditch here!
The afternoon found us at the beautiful gardens of Cragside, perched on a hillside and, at this time of year, surrounded by multi coloured rhododendrons! This is the estate owned by William Armstrong, who was the inventor of the hydraulic crane and his house was the first in the world to be lit by hydroelectric power.
Wednesday morning found us admiring the magnificent Durham Cathedral where there are shrines to St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede. It also has a modern stained glass window, donated by Marks and Spencer! Here we were thought to have friends in high places! Gary was being helpful, clearing tables in the busy cafe, and we were asked if he was the Rev Richard Coles! I think the enquirer was rather disappointed when the reply was "No, that's Gary!
A step back in time at Beamish Open Air Museum amused us with a fascinating, if rather wet, recreation of 18th-19th century English life. One could ride the tram, watch spearmint balls being made - and eating them! - and reminisce as we watched the 1955 Pathe News. Some chose to walk into a drift mine at the colliery - the miners homes seemed quite comfortable compared with the average standard at the time"!
A big bonus on the way back was a stop at Gormley’s statue, the 'Angel of the North'! The view from the road doesn’t prepare you for the size of it! Completed in 1998 it stands 20m(66ft) with a wingspan of 54m(177ft) and can withstand winds of over 100mph, due to its external skeleton. A shower ceased as we arrived and the scene became extra dramatic with the appearance of a rainbow!
Lindisfarne is an island when the tide is in so visits have to be timed well! It is often called the birthplace of Christianity in the UK and its mournful beauty and tragic history were very sobering. There were also a couple of interactive exhibitions about the famous 1300yr old Gospels which are now housed at the British Library in London.
The rest of the day was spent at Bambrugh Castle, high on the cliffs overlooking the sea and one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. This was also home to William Armstrong of Cragside - and his wife, Margaret who landscaped the gardens. The rooms were packed with armour, china and portraits - although the ‘Guess the Idiom’ trail proved most popular! This involved 'scenes' illustrating commonly used phrases which you had to guess.
Our last day and we faced the long journey home! Our stop at the impressive ruins of Fountains Abbey made a welcome interlude - there were extensive ruins, with streams and landscape water features at every turn - although the Studley Water Gardens were not exactly what was expected! The church was not due to open until the afternoon but the volunteers had arrived early so we were able to admire the stained glass and paintings before rejoining the coach.
Overall it was an excellent holiday, with the five days passing all too quickly! We were encouraged to sit with different people each mealtime so we got to know many members we hadn't met before and new friendships were formed.
(Thanks to the contributors of words and photographs to this report)
(Thanks to the contributors of words and photographs to this report)
