Road Trip North

Friday 26 December 2014... Boxing Day!

Dave and I set off at 8.30am for our drive up to Chester-le-Street to visit Gillian, Dave's first cousin and her husband Dave.  Dave had already met Gillian and Dave for the first time, five years ago back in Sydney, but it was the first time for me.  We were also going to meet Gillian's brother, Neal and his wife Gill and Dave and Gillian's daughter Jacqueline and her partner Steph.

We arrived at lunchtime to a lovely warm greeting, cuppa tea and a good ole catch up.  Afterwards Gillian and Dave, along with Devon their gorgeous black dog, Labrador x border collie drove us to Tynemouth Longsands Beach for a walk.  I couldn't get over how many people were out and about walking with their dogs.  I suppose they were all walking their Christmas Day lunches off!!

It was a great afternoon for a walk.  The weather was cool, dry, and calm but quite overcast, no blue sky to be seen.

South end of the beach we took in views of the Priory, and Pier and to the North was St George's Church, Cullercoats.

We then hopped in the car and drove around the corner and walked down and around the bay, taking in the view of the Collingwood monument which is a fitting memorial to Lord Collingwood who took command of the British Navy after the death of Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Views of the Priory...

The lighthouses.... Herd Groyne which was built in 1882 and the North Pier lighthouse, built in 1854.

Herd Groyne

North Pier

After all our walking and out in the cold air we needed a hot drink, a mixture of liquor coffee and hot chocolates were in order, very tasty and warming at Ora Coffee Bar.

Another view of the Priory on our way back to the car.

Gillian and Dave also took us on a very quick guided tour of Newcastle before we went back to their home.

Theatre Royal, Grade I listed building

The Tyne Bridge

Newcastle Opera House

Then during the evening we met their daughter Jacqueline and her partner Stephanie, along with Gillian's brother Neal and his wife Gillian.  Great evening catching up.

The following morning Gillian and Dave showed us where Dave's Dad was born and lived, along with his Grandparents.

Then we drove to Durham Cathedral for a quick look around before we said our goodbyes.  We parked in Grove Street and walked down through the woodland, across the river Wear, and up the bank into the Cathedral grounds. Nice little walk too.  I must say I was extremely impressed and in awe of the inside of the Cathedral.  Unfortunately you were not allowed to take any photographs inside.  I was so pleased we took the time to see the cathedral, only wish we had more time to look around.  The Cathedral had quite an array of doorways, which I couldn't resist photographing!!

I couldn't quite believe seeing a blossom tree in bloom in December!!! England has been experiencing a mild winter so far and this tree was in a lovely sheltered spot... I wonder whether it will still be in blossom come Spring time!!

We then said our goodbyes and went on our way to visit our friends, Darran and Kath in Great Corby, which is across on the west coast of Britain, just North of the Lake District.  We actually met them half way in Haltwhistle, which is nicknamed The Centre of Britain due to its geographical location.

Before we started exploring parts of Hadrian's Wall we had a bite to eat in The Manor House Inn.  Dave and I tried the very large Yorkshire pudding with mashed potato, gravy and three very large Cumberland sausages.... totally delicious!!!

Once satisfied we drove to Housesteads Roman Fort and Hadrian's Wall, on the way passing the Sycamore tree, which was filmed in The Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner.

Dave standing on Hadrian's Wall

Afterwards we enjoyed a relaxing fun evening playing Qwirkle.  A need for full concentration though!! Well for me anyhow!!

The next day Darran, Kath, Rebecca and Thomas took us to Carlisle Castle, Cathedral and up to Gretna Green.  We were so lucky with the weather, beautiful dry, cool, crisp sunny day.

The Castle was fun to explore with the kids, finding all the nooks and crannies in the towers and rooms.  In doing this we built up an appetite for scones with jam and cream, well Rebecca particularly wanted scones.  So Dave found the I Love Cafe on TripAdvisor which was known for its scones, it was a bit unfortunate though that they didn't have any cream to go with the jam and scones!!!

Carlisle Cathedral

Following this we drove into Scotland to visit Gretna Green and the famous Blacksmiths shop.  The museum was fascinating, reading all about the people that eloped.

From here we said are farewells to Darran, Kath, Rebecca and Thomas.

Driving back home to Staffordshire in the first part of the journey was spectacular with the sunset over the Lake District.

Then closer to home we had to take a detour from the M6 due to a major traffic accident.  This led us via the back lanes closer to home and into a pea soup... very thick fog!!

It was nice to get home to Mum & Dad's for a quiet night and to re charge our batteries for our trip down to Cornwall in the morning!!!