A Weekend in Northumberland...

We have a group of friends that we have known for years and years and years [you get the idea!] and every so often we try to get together for a long weekend.  So, on a cold Friday in February, 7 adults [I use the term loosely] and 2 dogs set off, from various parts of the UK, in the direction of Northumberland, for three days of merriment, reminiscing and general all round raucous behavior! 

Our 5 Star accommodation at Beal turned out to be a little closer to the A1 and not quite as close to the sea as the company's website had implied but, this slight disappointment aside, the interior was, as they say in property circles, 'well appointed', comfortable and most importantly, given the time of year, warm!

The weather was very 'braw' but the skies remained bright for most of the weekend.  Given the early Spring setting [whose daft idea was that?!] we were pretty lucky really.

We spent Saturday at a very blustery Bamburgh.  Parking up close to the castle, we set off down the beach at the kind of brisk pace required to avoid hypothermia!

Teasel on her usual 'high speed' setting!

One of the very few times we saw Teasel stand still all weekend!

It is certainly the time of year for 'long shadows'

D in contemplative mood?

Majestic and magnificent - and that's just the castle!

OH suggested this was a bit 'Reservoir Dogs'?!

 

There's nothing quite like a pristine sand dune!

My OH and Tilly [his ever faithful shadow]!

Wouldn't fancy 'assailing' this from any angle!

Wind and sand hardy dune grasses!

Moving faster now... did somebody mention 'pub lunch'?!

 

A Winter's Tale

The sun may not give off much heat, at this time of year, but it shows off the frost covered fields, trees and garden quite beautifully...

The new season seems frozen mid-growth, it's every outline highlighted by the frost...

After a very busy day in the workshop, the dog and I decide to go for a quick stroll before darkness falls.  The weak January sun is still able to light up the sky at it sets for another day.

The long path that leads homeward...

A 'light at yonder window' beckoning us in, promising warmth and shelter.  Just what a girl needs when her nose is turning an unflattering shade of blue!

Hot chocolate and spiced biscuits, perfect for thawing our chilled bones.  Well, mine anyway, the dog will have to make do with water and a chew!

To all you hot chocolate lovers out there, if you haven't already tried it, may I suggest Jamie's Epic Hot Chocolate recipe.  Can't be beaten, in my humble opinion, and once tried you will never go back!

A Change is as Good as a Rest!

A much needed week of rest and recuperation.  Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside, I do like to be beside the sea...

 

It may be rather dull and grey but being here, and not there, is just what the doctor ordered!

It does body and soul good to be blown and chilled, in equal amounts, by bracing sea air and long beach walks.  No time for everyday worries, just early mornings on the sand and lazy afternoons, in front of the fire, curled up with a good book and faithful friend...

I love this time of year.  The earthy smell of woodsmoke, golden canopies of autumn trees, the muffled sound of wet leaves under foot and wonderful soft, subdued light...