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The weather this week down south has been too hot. High 30s on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday made it uncomfortable both day and night. Record high temperatures for June were set. We had booked a stay at another HPB property, this time in Northumberland.
Temperatures were much cooler up North so we were looking forward to our break.
We aimed to leave about 9am but it was nearer 10.30am by the time we faffed around and filled the car up with diesel. The journey would take between 6 and 8 hours depending on traffic and incidents!
We had a surprisingly clear run up and after a stop at Wetherby Service Station for lunch, we eventually spotted the Angel of the North. We’d usually head off the A1 before spotting her when we head to Hebburn so was pretty cool to spot.
From passing the Angel of the North, it was another hour so before we arrived at Lucker Hall around 16.45pm.
We made it just before reception closed to collect the keys. We were staying in Warkworth – Cottage D43 located at the back of the site. Car parking was right outside the front door.
The cottage was surprisingly spacious. Entrance hall with toilet by the front door. Stairs heading up to the bedrooms. Though another door and into the open plan living area. Decent size kitchen with large fridge/freezer and dishwasher!! Dining table and living area with a settee and two arm chairs. Patio doors opened up onto a small outdoor seating area.
Upstairs, there was a double bedroom at the back overlooking the fields. The ensuite was large with a shower over the bath. Next door was a twin room with a spacious shower room next door. We were impressed!
Callum and Jon wanted to have a look at the facilities – the club house is close by. An indoor swimming pool and a large lounge with a billiards table and a book shelf full of books on the local area. Upstairs, there’s table tennis table, pool table and table football. I know where to find the lads of an evening! Outside, there’s a short tennis court and mini crazy golf.
We unpacked before heading out to do a supermarket shop. After checking the local information, we found out that we needed to go to Seahouses where they had a large co-op. Bamburgh, although just 5 mins away was more your butcher, baker and candlestick maker. We had to drive through Bamburgh to get to Seahouses and the castle is incredibly imposing … and huge!
We parked up in Seahouses and quickly found the co-op. Before shopping, we decided to have a wander and treated ourselves to ice cream from Milk & Honey Ice-creamery. Callum went for Morello Cherry and Ferrero Rocher in a cone. Jon the Nutella Chocolate and Raspberry Ripple in a tub. I settled for a Cherry Bakewell and Lemon Meringue. Good ice cream! We had timed it right as there was no queue when we went in but the queue was out the door by the time we had been served.
We wandered down to the harbour walls whilst eating our ice cream, going down the road by the RNLI station and onto the harbour walls. We would be back here on Monday as we’ve booked tickets to do a Serenity Cruise to land on Inner Farne. Puffins, Seals, Great Auks and Guillemots await (fingers crossed!). There had been a pod of Orcas in the area this week and our fingers were crossed we would see them next week.
We found all the huts for the cruises and saw that a couple ran Sunset cruises. We would see how the week goes and if we’ve a free evening and the weather is good, we may head out again to sail around the Farne Islands (again!) and watch the sunset over Bamburgh Castle.
We walked right to end of the harbour which had a great view across to the Farne Islands. Only about 1 mile offshore.
Back to the car via a shop at the co-op for supplies and Jon realised his mistake. He had parked under a lamppost … and the birds had made their mark on Jon’s car!!
Back to the cottage and we settled in the all important England match. Downstairs was baking hot so we flung open the patio doors. Within 5 minutes, we had a neighbours dog come to say hello and a bird (a swift I think) fly inside and do a loop before heading back out! It’s just fields behind us, and we spotted a bird hovering, watching to swoop down onto his prey. Jon thought it was a kestrel.
England kicked off and it’s still light outside – amazing what a difference being this north makes!
England were back on usual form … we should have well and truly beaten Panama. It took Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham well into the second half to get the win they needed to finish top of the group.
