A Whole New World!

Yes, a little cross-posting between here and my website blog, but I am totally justified, for although I do spread my words quite liberally across the blog posts of PORTAL (click on the link, go on - I dare ya!) I suspect going my usual BLAH down the screen might scare away potential clients. One must appear at least a little normal for the paying public, donchathink?

But you lot know me better, for which you all win one Internet each. Well done! I'm proud of you!

And of course you already know that I am nothing if not a creature of habit! A typical Taurean (should your beliefs meander in that direction) who is happy to follow foot-paths already well-worn. Taking the road most travelled, as it were. But I'm slowly learning that sometimes outside influences of the positive variety can lead us to take that road not previously taken, and when one doesn't fight against the instinct to stay safely in one's rut, there's a wealth of photographic opportunities of which to take advantage!

So where did my anti-rut travels take me then, I hear you mutter? Well, thank you for asking! This counter-custom excursion took me to ... ENGLAND! Dun dun DUUUUN! (With a side of SHOCK! HORROR!)

Just banter, dear readers, just banter! I'll have you know that some of the dearest people in my life happen to have been born south of Hadrian's Wall! Mind you, talking of said wall, I do have to admit that my foray into foreign climes didn't actually make it that far down the country, as I got no further that the border county of Northumberland - specifically the coastal village of Alnmouth, and the delightful market town of Alnwick (which is pronounced ‘Annick').

Yes, as you can see below, the weather was pretty naff at times, but (as my father says) skin is waterproof, and anyway, who cares about a little rain when you can get skies like this as a backdrop to somewhere as enchanting as Church Hill on Alnmouth Beach?

The beach itself makes for a lovely walk (and the sand makes for some well-worked leg muscles!) and although the river itself changed course out to sea in 1806 after a storm which caused much of the fishing and trade to go into sharp decline, there are still boats to be found up the estuary, ‘resting' or otherwise! 

You can also find evidence of anti-tank concrete cubes from WWII making a long snaking line up the dunes, and a many-varied bird population to keep the most Twitchery of Twitchers happy! Including a majestic barn owl who flew elegantly, and surprisingly languorously, around us while we traversed the beach. 

Five miles inland and you arrive at Alnwick, a rather pretty little market town sitting on the River Aln, which lies in the shadow of Alnwick Castle, the ancient seat of the Earls (and now Dukes) of Northumberland. 

There are quite a few tourists traps, including the austerely marvellous castle, but I have to say that the river walk is a MUST. Seriously. It's not obvious where to find the start of the path leading to the Aln, but if you walk into the grounds of the castle and instead of walking towards the castle, turn right around the perimeter of The Alnwick Gardens you'll find a pathway leading down towards the river. It's somewhat counter-intuitive, but absolutely worth the search.

And you might find it pretty much deserted, too! A beautiful morning in the light of a hazy sun, and we were the only two people there taking advantage of both the scenery and the decided lack of rain. It's a beautiful walk, with plenty of captivating views, plentiful wildlife, deliciously loud and bubbly weirs, and elegant bridges spanning the Aln.

And the odd folly/guard-house hiding amongst the trees!

The Anlwick Gardens was another delightful destination, and a must-see for anyone down in this direction, and although the rain and dreich conditions proved to be too much for my poor phone camera on the day of my visit, there was still enough magic in the air to capture something of the essence of the place. I'm looking forward to going back and discovering more sweeping panoramas, and secret arboreal corners to share with you all!

And yes, of course there were doors! Many doors! Both Alnmouth and Alnwick were stuffed to the gunwales with wonderful examples, most of which have been added to the Portals page on the website, but one of my favourites was entrance to what will now always be called The Most Wonderful Place On Earth™ if you're like me and a fiend for a good book or ninety...

Barter Books. Oh. My. Word. (Pun possibly intended.)

Barter Books is a wonderful second-hand book shop situated inside Alnwick's old railway station, and is stuffed (although in a very organised way) with books on all subjects by every author. (Probably!) Tall shelves are everywhere, reading nooks abound, the cafe sells everything from a relaxing cup of tea to the most delicious haggis, neeps and tatties soup that has to be tasted to be believed, and it is just the best way to spend an hour or two (possibly) should you be overtaken by a bout of bibliophilia!

Now I know that bookshops aren't normally in the scope of a blog about walking and losing weight, but really, you have to see this place to understand that an hour or four (realistically) under its roof will definitely add a good few thousand steps to your pedometer. And relieve you of a few pounds. Sterling, not lbs. (Especially if you want to partake of Barter's delicious food!)

I'm going back. Considering Alnmouth is a mere two hours by train (or three should you choose the route that changes in Edinburgh) that statement will probably come as no surprise, but there's still so much more to see, walks to take, gardens to visit. And I'm really looking forward to it!