How's your Easter weekend going? The long weekend has been mostly fairly quiet for us so far... youngest son was collected from Guildford with all his worldly shackles on Friday as he he will be living back at home with us for his final term. I managed a long training walk of sixteen miles for my Moonwalk yesterday, as it is only four weeks until the actual event. Despite a broken toe, endless blisters and even being bitten by a dog last week I'm determined not to be beaten. (If you have an urge to sponsor me you can do it here). And today we've had a fabulous meal cooked by my eldest son and his girlfriend... a traditional Greek feast. It remains to be seen what tomorrow will bring!
Before Easter we had a whistle stop visit to Scotland to visit Stewart's parents. We drove up, something we've done many times before and although we always stop for breaks en route they are never anywhere very interesting... Depressing motorway cafes with the ubiquitous Costa Coffee, McDonalds or M & S Food usually! But this time we thought we would try to stop at more interesting places... and tick a few more things off my sixty x sixty list at the same time.
I have long admired the imposing statue The Angel of the North as we whizzed past on the A1 but we've never stopped there before, always saying "we must stop and see it one day". As sixty x sixty is all about doing the things I'll get around to doing "one day" we took the short detour off the motorway to see the statue. At 20 metres tall, the 200 tonne steel statue, created by Anthony Gormley, is Britain's tallest sculpture and just as imposing as you might imagine. I thought it was wonderful!
After a couple of relaxing days in Dundee, taking Stewart's Mum and Dad out and about, it was time to head home again and after checking the tides we decided to take a little detour via the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
It was absolutely beautiful, remote, wild and rugged and we both thought it would be lovely to return one day and take time to do some walking.
However, despite what it may look like from my photos, it was absolutely heaving with people, all trailing along the various paths with their children, dogs and grannies. I don't know what I expected really, in a tourist location on a beautiful sunny day in the Easter holidays... but I couldn't help feeling it would have been really lovely if it was deserted. But very beautiful nevertheless.
We were back on the road in plenty of time before the causeway flooded and our next little detour was to another spot neither of us had been before...
A section of Hadrian's Wall, possibly not the most imposing section but we were happy to have found it and to walk along this well preserved section. I was amazed we could clamber right up and over it but maybe it doesn't get that many visitors?
Of course now I'm thinking I'd like to walk the entire 75 mile length of the Hadrian's Wall path from coast to coast... but probably not before I'm sixty! And that is the lovely thing about doing these sixty x sixty projects... they keep throwing up more things I'd like to do!
Maybe tomorrow we will venture out and about or maybe we will potter around the house and garden but all in all it's been a good week. I hope your Easter week has been fun for you!
We've been out and about and entertaining granddaughter, but yesterday we bought a babygrand piano. Husband has wanted one for years but had a specific make in mind and didn't want one of those shiny black ones. We walked into an antiques shop yesterday and there it was, the piano he'd dreamt of for about 50 years. Rosewood case and totally refurbished, he played and I gulped and wrote the cheque! The sittingroom is going to feel a bit cramped but so what. Now what would I like that costs that sort of money?:-)
ReplyDeleteWe've been out and about and entertaining granddaughter, but yesterday we bought a babygrand piano. Husband has wanted one for years but had a specific make in mind and didn't want one of those shiny black ones. We walked into an antiques shop yesterday and there it was, the piano he'd dreamt of for about 50 years. Rosewood case and totally refurbished, he played and I gulped and wrote the cheque! The sittingroom is going to feel a bit cramped but so what. Now what would I like that costs that sort of money?:-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a brilliant break, and some really great places to visit. Lindisfarne looks amazing. Lucky you having a Greek feast, I'm a huge fan of Greek food. You have reminded me, I must make some soon. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteYour sixty x sixty is taking you to some wonderful places. We went to Lindisfarne many years ago and stayed for a week. If you want to enjoy it at its most peaceful and atmospheric stay for a few days. Once all the day trippers have gone home it is a magical place and you can wander freely and almost feel like a local. There's a beautiful walled garden to enjoy too that belongs to the castle. We were there when the last foot and mouth scare was on so walks were restricted (2001/2 I think). It's well worth staying.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot you have fitted into your Easter weekend. I would love to see Lindisfarne, but without lots of other people! At my age I have become a virtual traveller, courtesy of other peoples Facebook pics. Thanks for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteIt's many many years since we visited Lindisfarne and Hadrians Wall, our chidren were primary school age. I too remember thinking then that it was strange that the kids could climb all over the wall, I suppose we're so used to being told not to touch anything!!
ReplyDeleteThose are 3 places I'd love to visit, but without lots of other people too! Being brought up on the coast in a North Norfolk we never ventured anywhere on bank holidays, mainly because we couldn't get out of the village due to the traffic. Now a days I still tend to stay at home, I've mainly been in the garden 😊
ReplyDeleteYou chose some great stop off points (just up the road from me!). Lindisfarne plus Easter usually means crowds of visitors/pilgrims so I do hope you get to return when there's less footfall. Envious here of the Angel of the North. We're stuck with Temenos (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10281554) which I've tried to like but really don't.
ReplyDeleteGina, go back to Northumberland during a child free holiday period and you will love it. We had a fantastic holiday there near Bamburgh. Better still try Pembrokeshire! Often called 'Cornwall without the people' and there is a 186 mile coastal path for you to walk parts of....
ReplyDeleteHave visited most of the places, Gina, but the one that always makes me smile is The Angel of the North. I have visited several times with bus loads of children andcthey always say the same thing-" it's all rusty"! Just in case we hadn't noticed!! Lovely Lindisfarne but agree with other poster who said not at holiday periods-too busy by far. Glad you had such a lovely trip away. Catriona
ReplyDeleteSome great places to visit. I've always fancied visiting/walking part of Hadrian's wall.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great weekend Gina. I've spent many happy hours on Hadrians Wall and Lindesfarne, but never the Angel of the North - must go one day.
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