Saturday, 5th September ,1981 light rain a.m. sunny p.m.
Left our dear little camping area at
The rural area here, with its
dales and hills, reminds me of home. Lush
pastures supply ample feed to fat sheep and cattle. All this area is textile and wool. We travelled on towards Holy Island on
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| Lindesfarne Castle with Sean and Rachelle in foreground |
You can only drive to the island over a causeway at low tide. It is a good bitumen road about 3 miles long
across the Budai Cove. We strolled
through the village and had morning tea and continued on our way. Passed
In Alnwick we were confronted with a problem - how to get through a 9 foot high gate when we were 9'3". Here was Rae on roof with our tape measure and John and Sean measuring height - illegally parked into the bargain. We had to renege and go around.
On to Hexham - the campsite was the worst one we have
found. Went for a walk into town and
then home for tea and shower.
As I was feeling a little nauseated they decided to stay
home and listen to radio 2, a very good
When driving out of
Left early - the camping area was substandard. It had permanent caravans as its main income. As we entered the park John had this big concentrated talk with an old man near the gate. He listens and then said "young’un- I'm deaf, the warden is over there."
We went to a lovely church in Hexham - part of Mass said in Latin as the Assistant Priest was French. Sang lovely old hymns, they didn't shake hands for peace be to you except a little Downs syndrome child next to me and her mother - aliens like us I guess.
After mass we headed for Sean's highlight - Hadrian's Wall. But first we went to Vindalana - an ancient city unearthed some 10 years ago, all the evidence of a Roman fort and city behind the wall. It was misty wet rain so we all came back wet and miserable - my service shoes kept me dry.
Then on to “Twice Brewed” and “Once Brewed " tiny towns
with information Centres. Spoke to 10
young people walking to
Now here we are at "Housesteads" 3 miles from
steel point where we lunched. The kids
jumped out before lunch and took off along the wall. By the time I followed to
take a photo they were little ants on a hilltop. Sean and John wanted to walk to 6 km to
Housestead Fort so Sandra took her first trip behind the wheel - so here we are
waiting for Sean and John.
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| Hadrians Wall |
It is foggy and misty rain outside and they arrived wet and
exhausted. Couldn't see 2 feet ahead of
them.
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On our way to rest - it is Father's Day and should be a day of rest for our driver, but he wanted to walk the wall with his son. Settled here at "Castleside Camp” out of Consett and the sun is shining after a miserable morning. Monday, 7th September,1981 fine but overcast Breakfast - batten down - and off about 9:30 a.m. for  A lovely The North door with the Sanctuary knocker was put there in the 12th century to give sanctuary to any criminal who sought it. He was granted the protection of the church and given a choice between the trial and a voluntary exile. John and Sean like this church. We drove a small way out of town after
refilling the larder and parked on a lay-by for lunch. These old men were sitting on a seat in the
sun watching traffic pass we got such a big wave. The old people spend a lot of time sitting in
seats in towns and villages watching time go by. We had quite a victory this a.m. John came in
for a coffee in a coffee shop. He
reckons we have visited every coffee shop in the Stopped at Middleham Castle - known for the birthplace of Richard III’s son - he also died there age 7 or 11.  Above: Middleham Castle  Middleham Town |
The town is a dear little village with all the shops coming
off the marketplace. People laze about all friendly. We drove into Ripon for the night - a nice town
once again. The
We had tea out for the third time at a 16th century pub. The "Staveley Arms" takes its name from the family of Miles Staveley who was appointed “Keeper to the Kings Gate” by Cardinal Wolsey.
At 9 p.m. we went into town to hear the town watchman blow his 1860 horn. It has been a ritual for nigh on 1095 years, to let the people know all was well and to guide any stragglers in. He stands on all four corners of the square under the obelisk and blows when the clock strikes 9 p.m. and then again outside the man's house before midnight.
John stayed in town for another drink and Sandra drove
home. It was dark and - going over speed
bumps the car broke down. It started to
rain. We were only 100 yards from home.
Our little mechanic got us mobile again.
It was in Ripon a silly woman put her hands over her little
poodle's ears so he couldn't hear the horn - "it was too loud" she
said.
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| Melrose to Ripon |
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