Holiday in North Berwick: The Journey Up

We set off from home, leaving my brother, Philip, in charge of the house, Minnow Cat and Connie Chicken. The rain was pouring down, not boding well for the week ahead!

Our first stop was at Alnmouth in Northumberland. It is an attractive village with a long area of sandy beach, with a few small shops, cafes, hotels and pubs. We parked at the beach car park and walked along to the dog-friendly cafe, The Village Tea Rooms. Brock decided to jump into several very deep pools of stagnant sea water for some reason. He doesn't like water normally, so it was quite a surprise to all of us. Although it was misty, the rain had passed over and it was dry for our walk.

Brock running on the beach at Alnmouth

Alnmouth main street

Our next stop was the wonderful Barter Books at Alnwick Station. It has a cafe, and thousands of books: new, second-hand and antiquarian. There is lots of comfy seating scattered about; a train runs around the top of the book shelves in the first room, where there is often an open fire burning; and dogs are allowed in (apart from the buffet area). Parking on site is limited and very busy.

Barter Books - main room

Display of antique childrens' books

Berwick-upon-Tweed was our next stop of the day. We walked all around the city walls, enjoying the views of the sea and town.

 The allotments at Berwick-upon-Tweed

The house that L S Lowry stayed in on his visits to the town

 Views over the Tweed to the railway viaduct

We drove on to the flat we were staying at in North Berwick and were glad to have a rest after our busy first day.

View from the holiday flat's sitting room window: a minute's walk from the sea!

A Short Visit to Keswick

We had a couple of hours in Keswick today: walking down to the lake and through the town; stopping off for lunch in Abraham's Cafe in George Fisher (jacket potatoes with salad and cheese with excellent Americano coffees, and now dog-friendly like the rest of the shop, so Brock was pleased); a quick browse in the Oxfam, where I bought some embroidery threads; and food shopping in Booths.

Here are some of the photos that I took on my mobile (I forgot my camera :o/). The light was very atmospheric, with low cloud, but bright sun.

Lots of wildfowl, as usual, attracted by the people feeding them.

Latrigg Walk, Keswick

Rob, Brock and I had an enjoyable walk around Latrigg, near Keswick today.

The weather was perfect - warm, still, dry and sunny with some dramatic clouds about.

We passed some models and a photographer taking photographs on a photo shoot, no doubt for some outdoor gear company.

We drive up to the car park near the summit and take a circular walk of about 1.5 miles. There is an easy path to follow, with a few hilly parts to climb, and the views are amazing.

Afterwards, we had lunch in the Chalet Tearoom at Portinscale (dog friendly). There was a market on in Keswick town centre, and we always like to have a browse in the Oxfam and pet food store. I bought some beads, embroidery threads and vintage pinking shears in the former. Booths supermarket was our final port of call, for some top-up groceries. I still haven't got used to the new layout!

Brock at Rockcliffe and Views of Derwentwater, Keswick

In February, we had a day out to Kippford and Rockcliffe and Rob managed to capture this picture of Brock on the beach. Happy Birthday to Brock, who was four years old on 1 March.

Yesterday, we went for a walk by Derwentwater in Keswick. It was a still and sunny day. The reflections of clouds on the water were quite breathtaking. [Click on any photo to see a larger version.]

 One of Rob's photos

One of my photos

Lunch was at the Abraham's Tea Room in the George Fisher shop. The food there is always fresh, healthy, plentiful and tasty. The staff are friendly and helpful and it is a pleasure to visit. Rob had the 'special' yesterday, which included roasted cauliflower and other vegetables in a cheese sauce, served with a side salad and fresh bread and butter. I ate the jacket potato served with avocado and tomato salsa and side salad. With a coffee and a mineral water, the bill came to just over £20. One of the best places to eat in Keswick!

Friars Crag & Calfclose Bay Walk, Keswick

Rob, Brock and I had another day out in Keswick. We seem to keep ending up there recently because there are so many places that welcome dogs, which is useful in hot weather.

The walk is 3.5 miles long and is very flat, with just a few muddy sections - fine for walking shoes/boots. There are some magnificent views of Derwentwater and the attractive bays and islands around the lake, with the backdrop of mountains. [Please click on the photos to see a larger version.]

This boulder of Borrowdale volcanic rock was split and carved 

by Peter Randall-Page to commemorate the National Trust's centenary in 1995. 

It is partially covered by water when the lake is fuller.

We drove a way out of Keswick on the Windermere road to have lunch at a pub called The Kings Head. We sat outside in a shady spot on the terrace area with Brock, and had our lunch: a bog standard cheese sandwich and chips, followed by sticky toffee pudding for Rob; jacket potato and cheese followed by ice cream for me, with two drinks the bill came to just over £27. The other vegetarian choices were:- a lentil and root vegetable hot pot (£12), or a pasta dish - both a bit too heavy for a sunny day, lunchtime meal. Both of the staff serving were friendly and nice, but the food was very average, so I wouldn't rush back.

 Smiling, despite an empty glass...

Brock looking longingly at a chip

PotFest in The Park 2013

We had our annual day out to PotFest at Hutton in The Forest today. Despite the forecast for heavy rain, it was hot and sunny!

We started off with a walk around the grounds and the walled gardens.

Then it was time for a quick ice cream before looking at the competition pieces. The theme this year was 'All At Sea'.

The three I voted for were:-

 Storm Grouper by David Cooke

 Salty Sea Dog by Joanne Cooke

 You're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat by Wayne Clark

Some other images from the day...

We bought a side plate and dinner plate to add to our slowly growing collection of pieces by Sigi and Charlotte Boehmer of Germany.

A Walk in Coombe Woods, Armathwaite, Cumbria

Rob, Brock and I had a lovely walk in the woodlands and countryside around the village of Armathwaite in Cumbria today.

The walk is 3.7 miles long and there are some slight uphill climbs, but I would class it as easy going. Click here for a version of the walk.

[Please click on the photos to see a larger version.]

 Towering honeysuckle plant in Coombe Woods

 A view of farmland from the lane in the second stage of the walk

 A patchwork of fields with Bramble flowers in the foreground

Ploughman's lunch at the Fox and Pheasant, back in Armathwaite

The walk was most enjoyable on this warm day. Lunch at the pub was excellent, with a friendly landlord, ice cold lagers and plenty of food. Brock was given a bowl of cold water.

A photo of Brock taken in June: he's had a haircut since then!

Portinscale & Swindale Walk, Lake District

Rob, Brock and I went on a walk in the Lake District on Tuesday. The walk is number 13 in the Footprint 'Walks Around Keswick' guide. ISBN 9781871149579.

It was a beautiful day and we started out from the small village of Portinscale, near Keswick. After a few false starts (a few things have changed since the guide was written!) we found the start of the walk. It goes through meadows and past Swinside hill.

Brock looking forward to a refreshing paddle in the beck.

You pass the small hamlet of Ullock then head towards Newlands Beck, a clear and refreshing stream.

We stopped for lunch at the Swinside Inn (around the 2 mile mark of the walk). Dogs are allowed inside. It was such a nice day that we sat at one of the tables outside. Rob had a ploughman's lunch and I had a jacket potato with cheese and beans. With two (very weak) coffees and two soft drinks, the bill came to over £24. Rather pricey, but that's the Lake District for you.

Coconut-scented gorse blossoms.

We headed back to Portinscale, where we had parked the car opposite a cafe (possibly a better place to eat.) A very attractive walk and, without any hills, it makes it a simple and relaxing stroll.