Tuesday 22 May 2012

Northumblerland.




So,so many calls on my time this week and my computer is running super slow for some reason. First of all the temperature was eight degrees when we returned at the weekend, today it is twenty five degrees and rising. Glorious weather but rather a shock to the system.

Of course, when the temperature becomes Spring-like, the garden calls, so in addition to my weekly shop I have also been to the garden centre to stock up on essential supplies today and after our evening meal I spent an hour in the garden, finding out that in the past few days my roses have all developed black spot - so that meant spraying and hoping I have caught it in time.

However, just a quick look at Craster for you today. It is the lovliest little fishing village, only a couple of miles from where we were staying, and as we were there very early on Sunday morning we were the only people about. It is here that they smoke the wonderful Craster kippers (I had one each morning for my breakfast - delicious).

There is a sad story attached to the tiny harbour. There was no harbour here and the fishermen just launched their boats from the beach. In 1904 the son of the Craster family, Captain John Charles Craster was killed in action in the Thibetan campaign. It had always been his dream as a young man to build a harbour and as a memorial to his memory the family built the harbour.

From here there is a mile walk to Dunstanburgh castle, a bracing walk in the cold wind but it was sunny and we really enjoyed it. I'll be back tomorrow with Lindisfarne - after a visit to the hairdresser (badly needed) and a couple of hours in the garden.

12 comments:

Heather said...

It's the same every year - we never get the chance to acclimatise to warmer temperatures. Beautiful photos - the little harbour is a wonderful memorial to a much loved son.
Enjoy your gardening.

Heather said...

It's the same every year - we never get the chance to acclimatise to warmer temperatures. Beautiful photos - the little harbour is a wonderful memorial to a much loved son.
Enjoy your gardening.

Elizabeth said...

Super post!
Add Northumberland to my list!

Robin Mac said...

What a beautiful and rugged part of the country. Why can't the seasons slide gradually into each other - we have had the opposite here, a sudden cold snap to tell us winter is coming! cheers

ArcticFox said...

MOST EXCELLENT!!

Crafty Green Poet said...

suddenly hot here too!

I remember Craster and Dunstanburgh from several family holidays when I was very young!

Gwil W said...

Here too the weather is fickle. Much of May is generally colder than much of April. It's because the land and sea are warming up at different rates. This brings the 4 holy ice men as they are called (one of the ice men - the 17th May - is actually a woman - Sophie).

Your photos rekindle memories of some wonderful weeks I've spent in that area. Once I even walked over the Cheviot 2,000s starting and finishing at Wooler. I think there were 10.

Dave King said...

This is one part of the country I have not visited. It's top of my wish list, so thanks for the post.

Golden West said...

What beautiful countryside and - castles! So nice for you to get a holiday!

H said...

Northumberland is well up on my list of places to visit. So many people have told me how wonderful it is!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Glad it reminded so many of you of happy times spent in the area. Wish you could have tasted the kippers too.

MorningAJ said...

I loved Craster when we stayed up there a few years ago. Lovely place.