A BEARS HOLIDAY IN
NORTHUMBERLAND
20 - 24 MAY 2008
Hello, I am Dunstan and I come from Northumberland. So, when Uncle Brian and Dad went on another
visit to Northumberland, taking me and a few of my other Hug pals, they all said that I should be the one to write the story about our visit. I hope that you enjoy reading about our adventures and what we saw.
Tuesday
Setting off mid morning we headed
north up the M6 at one point passing through the Lune Gorge where
the Howgill Fells tower to one side. We were interested to see
them as we know that our intrepid Hug walking group STAG had
climbed many of them. Today Dad had said that we were going the
direct route passing by and over the remains of Hadrian's Wall
built in Roman times to keep the marauding Scots out. It was now
getting near lunchtime so as you would expect they found a café
to stop at. This was at Kirkharle where the buildings have been
converted to accommodate a number of different artisan workshops.
However Kirkharle has a much
greater claim, as it is the birthplace of Lancelot Brown
otherwise known as "Capability" Brown the most famous
English landscape designer. More information at - www.gardenvisit.com/biography/lancelot_capability_brown
For the first time we were staying
at the Blue Bell Hotel in Belford. In the past we have always
stayed with Aunt Pam and Uncle Kenny but they have now retired.
We called in to see them for a chat. They made such a fuss and I
got a hug too. It was then just a short drive to Belford and the
hotel.
It is a very comfortable and
friendly place as we had a nice room with a settee that we bears
immediately took over. While Uncle Brian and Dad went for their
dinner we relaxed in the room having our picnic.
Wednesday
It was a sunny morning and today I
took Chuck, Lucky, and Norfolk Shades for their day out. We drove
to the village of Bamburgh with its huge castle that is literally
above the beach.
We did not visit the castle today,
but instead went to the newly extended Grace Darling museum run
by the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution). Grace lived
with her family at the lighthouse on Longstone in the Farne
Islands just off the coast from Bamburgh. She became a national
hero when on the 7th September 1838 she rowed with her
father in their coble in ferocious seas to rescue the survivors
from the steamship Forfarshire that had foundered on the nearby
Big Harcar Rock.
The museum was fascinating having
on display many items relating to the family and Grace and also
the actual boat used in the rescue. It is large and of heavy
construction and we could only marvel at the effort that must
have been required to carry out the rescue. Chuck is an RNLI bear
so he was fussed over by the manager and staff. Here we are with
the museum in the background. Left to right - Norfolk Shades,
Chuck, Dunstan & Lucky.
Almost next door is the cottage
where Grace Darling was born.
She died of consumption only four
years after the rescue, and is buried in the churchyard of St.
Aidans Church opposite
Well, after all this excitement we
were ready to have a rest in the car while Dad drove us to
Chillingham Castle, where Aunt Julie runs the café situated in
the old kitchen with walls about 10ft thick. They had lovely soup
and then Uncle Brian had a scone with butter and Dad a large
piece of chocolate cake - you know what he is like by now! We all
sat out but did not have anything to eat as we had picnicked in
the car earlier. With the thick walls it is always cool in here
so the huge log fire made it really warm and cosy. It was then
back to the hotel to tell our other friends all about the day.
Thursday
After a cloudy start the sun soon
came out but the strong cool wind prevented Uncle Brian and Dad
wearing their shorts. Today I took Dougal Tennyson and Warwick
for their day out. We went to the island of Lindisfarne (known as
Holy Island) crossing by the causeway from the mainland. We had
to be sure that we got off in good time in the afternoon as the
tide covers it and the island is cut off. Uncle Brian has a
disabled parking badge and so we were able to take the car into
the village and in fact we parked overlooking the harbour. Dad
took us for a walk and we were interested to see the old upturned
boats that have been converted into storage sheds.
Outside one was a bench and we
settled ourselves on it. Left to right - Dougal, Dunstan,
Tennyson & Warwick.
From here we were able to look
across to the impressive Lindisfarne Castle.
and the ruins of the Priory.
This was one of the earliest seats
of Christianity in Britain and St Aidan and St Cuthbert were both
bishops here. There is a real sense of history. Nowadays the
island relies on tourism and some fishing as evidenced by the
lobster pots and old anchors lying nearby
We had a most fascinating time and
discussed it sitting in the car while they went to look in the
shops and spend their money. On return to the mainland Uncle
Brian and Dad went to a recently opened café called the Barn at
Beal for lunch. We had our picnic sitting out looking at the
superb view to Lindisfarne and more distantly Bamburgh Castle.
There was such a lot to tell our friends when we got back, after
Uncle Brian and Dad had been to visit Aunt Pam and Uncle Kenny
again.
Friday
Last time we were in Northumberland
Fred, Gladly Ally, Bramble and I went on the Heatherslaw Railway
and we were allowed to sit on the engine. Dad sent them the
photograph and we had a nice letter addressed to us saying that
it would be used in "find the bear" competition at
Easter weekend. We wanted to see if it was still up so Dad took
us to find out. We arrived early but Dad got the tickets and we
were able to settle in the carriage.
The driver and guard today were
Mick and Carl who had let us sit on the engine. As Mick walked
past he recognised us immediately and made such a fuss. He said
that the photograph was very good and had indeed been used but
had been put away safely for now. We all enjoyed the ride on the
little train as it goes along slowly to Etal alongside the River
Till and saw lots of birds by the river - swans with cygnets,
oystercatcher, great crested grebe and lapwings. Who needs Bill
Oddie and Springwatch? Here is the train at Etal Station ready
for its return journey.
While there we all chatted to Mick
and Carl. They told us that their wives collected soft toys and
had about 100 and 40 respectively. Soon it was time to return to
Heatherslaw so we hastily settled in the carriage. When we
arrived, Dad and Uncle Brian chatted to Mick, Carl and the lady
in the ticket office and then we all waved to Mick and Carl as
they set off once again to Etal. While we rested in the car Uncle
Brian and Dad went to the mill shop, where the lady immediately
recognised them once seen It was now to Chillingham
Castle once again to see Aunt Julie & Aunt Heather. Only I
went into the café, the others going to play hide and seek in
the woods! They were so pleased to see us and really made a fuss
and during a quiet period sat chatting. I sat with them too to
have my photograph taken it made my day
All too soon it was time to go and
having rounded up Fred & Co. we returned to the hotel. A
feature of the holiday had been the huge amount of yellow gorse
that is all over the countryside. Here is just one example.
Well our holiday was over again and
all that remained was to return home the next day. We all had
lovely memories of our visit and Dad took the usual group photo
in the garden of the hotel.
back -
Dougal middle row -
Tennyson, Gladly, Chuck, Fred & Warwick front row -
Ally, Dunstan, Norfolk Shades, Lucky & Bramble