Yes, the YAMster's been oot 'n' aboot again. This was the scheduled Easter in Edinburgh visit, and another little visit with me ol' mate Aitch. Been a long time since we were together.
Aitch's nieces, apart from her brother, are her only other immediate family, and both live in the North; one in Newcastle itself and the other in Morpeth. Aitch had rented a cottage for a week outside Morpeth at a little place called Guide Post. (...no kidding...) I headed down last Tuesday on a fine spring day, to spend a couple of nights.
Those are the Cheviot Hills in the far distance... there was an ice-cold breeze and snow still showing on the hills, but it really was a great day for driving. At this place where I stopped, also spotted some Tree Sparrows - on the 'Highly at Risk' red status on RSPB site. I know I hadn't seen them before...
The arrangement was to connect with Aitch and niece #1 in the ancient town of Alnwick. It is a fabulous place just oozing history. Our meet-point was Barter Books, which is set up in the old Victorian railway station. There is a great connection (no pun intended) with this establishment and a very famous phrase...
Aitch's nieces, apart from her brother, are her only other immediate family, and both live in the North; one in Newcastle itself and the other in Morpeth. Aitch had rented a cottage for a week outside Morpeth at a little place called Guide Post. (...no kidding...) I headed down last Tuesday on a fine spring day, to spend a couple of nights.
Those are the Cheviot Hills in the far distance... there was an ice-cold breeze and snow still showing on the hills, but it really was a great day for driving. At this place where I stopped, also spotted some Tree Sparrows - on the 'Highly at Risk' red status on RSPB site. I know I hadn't seen them before...
The arrangement was to connect with Aitch and niece #1 in the ancient town of Alnwick. It is a fabulous place just oozing history. Our meet-point was Barter Books, which is set up in the old Victorian railway station. There is a great connection (no pun intended) with this establishment and a very famous phrase...
Now, I do of course have a few images of my own from this FABulous place - they will appear in Me-Now-Views... Once the three of us had had our initial chat, we set off down into the town for a bit of Geocaching... we didn't succeed on this particular hunt as it was spread all over the town and after an hour, we had found only four of the six clues - but it was mid arvo and we were getting weary.
The war memorial was erected in 1921. The bronzes were works of art.
...you just know this is going to be continued, donchya?!
What a wonderful outing The places full of history are just the BEST.
ReplyDeleteOMD OMD OOOOT 'n ABOOT,,,, We love that....
ReplyDeleteGeo-caching We have not heard of anybuddy doing that fur a good long while.... Easy used to do it...
OMD we HOPE there is MORE to Come... We agree with Abby T. Lab... Places filled with HISTORY are Fabulous...
We wonder if that KIRK might be a Pressed Butt Smearian one.
Hari OM
DeleteHeheheheh - well no - Morpeth and Alnwick are in Northumbria SOUTH of the border! This is Church of England territory!!! Yxx
What wonderful architecture...I love all the stone!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a splendid trip, Yam. DH grew up in Newcastle, so we have a very soft spot for Northumberland and its wonderful place names.
ReplyDeleteBertie and I have passed through Alnwick so many times on the train, and this post has reminded me one day to stop and explore.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
that is one thing you miss living in Australia and the USA - the age and history of these countries just doesn't seem as impressive as what you see in England, Scotland and Europe - although I must admit - it freaked me out seeing an item machine stuck in the wall of a 800 year old building in Italy.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
Deleteyes - although I do love the 'old' of OZ also - Ballarat is a gem! Yx
Crikey Aunty ..... fudge is at it again, aye?? Those tree sparrows look awful like the sparrows we have out here and trust me, they aren't on any highly at risk list here. The only way they are highly at risk is if I spot 'em on the ground like that.
ReplyDeleteYou like Geo-caching?? Crikey the next time you come downunder I'll hook you up with my two legged sister and her husband. They are Geo-caching freaks.
Hari Om
DeleteCharlie, you are quite right of course - though in OZ, their colouration has become somewhat muted with urban living. This from the "skypedia"
The Eurasian tree sparrow is widespread in the towns and cities of eastern Asia, but in Europe it is a bird of lightly wooded open countryside, with the house sparrow breeding in the more urban areas. The Eurasian tree sparrow's extensive range and large population ensure that it is not endangered globally, but there have been large declines in western European populations, in part due to changes in farming practices involving increased use of herbicides and loss of winter stubble fields. In eastern Asia and western Australia, this species is sometimes viewed as a pest, although it is also widely celebrated in oriental art.
- my father is the geocacher (tho not now with the Parkinsons), any Aitch caught the bug from him now there's no stopping her. Down under, I introduced my neighbour to it and now he goes all over in search of caches... it's addictive! Yxx
I would love to try Geo caching, but I have so many other things I want to do and try to do as well and apparently I am expected to show up at work as well on occasion. Don't understand it myself, but there you have it.
ReplyDeleteHow can sparrows be on the endangered list!!!! They used to be so common, what has happened to our countryside to make such a cute birdie become scarce?
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
Hello, pretty images from your road trip! THe geo-catching sounds like fun! Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!
ReplyDeleteI would love to wander with you through this town.... maybe once when things are better, we can jump on the ferry and see all this great things :O)
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful places to visit. I really must get out!
ReplyDeleteI sigh deeply when I see such wonderful things. Oh to be out and about once again but that is not to be. I just have to enjoy other people's wanderings and imagine being right there along with them. Thank you for sharing so many interesting things. xx
ReplyDelete