Friday, Alnmouth and the Aln Estuary
The Weekend Away started with a short walk from Nether Grange round the coast and up the River Aln returning through the town centre.
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| Nether Grange |
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Alnmouth's saltmarsh and Church Hill
The saltmarsh owes its origins to a shift in the course of the river which occurred in 1806. Before that time, the river passed to the west of Church Hill (shown here) at the north-west end of the large single sandbank immediately to the south of the estuary, taking an oxbow course around the hill to discharge slightly south of today's river. A violent storm on Christmas Day in that year allowed the river to break through the northern extent of the sandbank to assume its current course - in the process cutting off and destroying the remains of the village's Church of Saint Waleric, which stood at the northern end of the sandbank. |
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| The Ferryman’s Hut, reportedly the smallest in the country, used to be a ferrymen’s rest where tired sailors would stop awhile while waiting for their next passengers to cross the River Aln |
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| Duchess Bridge across the River Aln |
Saturday, Coastal Path from Alnmouth to Craster (and Dunstanburgh Castle)
Scott led the group along the Coastal Path, part of Saint Oswald's Way, a long-distance walking route which start in Holy Island (Lindisfarne) in the north and ends in Heavenfield and Hadrian’s Wall in the south, a distance of 97 miles. But today's walk from Almouth went only as far as Craster with some of the party venturing on to view Dunstanburgh Castle.
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| The group gathering on the chess set outside Nether Grange to be briefed by Scott who organised the Weekend Away and planned and recced all the walks with Barbara. Thanks both of you for an excellent holiday |
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| Striding out |
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| Deserted beach and dunes to the south of the estuary |
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| On the beach - low tide fortunately |
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| Evidence of Whin Sill volcanic rocks |
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| Bridge over Howick Burn between Boumer and Craster |
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| Shoreline rocks and beaches |
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| Craster Harbour |
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| The last remaining smokehouse of the famous Craster kipper. The preparation process begins with North Sea herring which are split, gutted and washed, soaked in brine, and then taken to the smokehouse where they are cured over smouldering oak and white wood shavings for sixteen hours |
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| The 14th century Dunstanburgh Castle, built by Earl Thomas of Lancaster between 1313 and 1322, taking advantage of the site's natural defences and the existing earthworks of an Iron Age fort |
Sunday, Alnwick and Hulne Park
After a bus ride to Alnwick, the walk started at the War Memorial and took us up the River Aln to view the impressive Alnwick Castle before stopping at the entrance to Hulne Park for coffee. Then on to Brizlee Tower for lunch after which some went directly back to Alnwick whilst the rest visited the ruin of Hulne Priory
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| Gathering before the walk through Alnmouth to catch the bus to Alnwick |
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| The start point at Alnwick war memorial - three bronze figures around the column, a soldier, sailor and airman |
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| The nearby impressive Tenantry Column, erected in 1816 by the tenants of Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland in thanks for his reduction of their rents during the post-Napoleonic depression |
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| Approaching Alnwick Castle |
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| View of Alnwick Castle across the River Aln |
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About to cross the Aln on the magnificent Lion Bridge, built by John Adam for the first Duke of Northumberland
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| Entrance to Hulne Park, the only one remaining of the three parks that once surrounded Alnwick Castle providing wood and meat for the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland. The park is walled, and was landscaped by Capability Brown. No dogs, cars or bikes allowed so very quiet! |
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| Hulne Park woodland |
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| A cave in the sandstone here, called the Nine Year Aud Hole, is guarded by a Grade-II-listed, 18th-century, statue of a White Friar. Showing his age! |
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| Wind turbines to the East |
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| Brizlee Tower erected in 1781 for Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland - lunch |
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| Distant view of the ruins of Hulne Priory or Hulne Abbey, a friary founded in 1240 by the Carmelites |
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| An unwelcome hill to climb |
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| The most substantial building inside the walled Priory |
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| Heading back to Alnwick beside the Aln |
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| Entrance to Alnwick Castle |
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The Hotspur Gate or the Bondgate is Alnwick's sole surviving gatehouse. It was originally built as part of the wider town's defences constructed from 1434 onwards
And finally, the Quiz courtesy of setter Dave Cobley and Quiz Mistress Elaine.
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Monday, Alnmouth and Lesbury
A short morning walk along the coast and then the banks of the River Aln with a short diversion to Lesbury for refreshments.
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| Gathering at Nether Grange before the walk |
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| View from Nether Grange across Alnmouth Golf Club to the sea. Established in 1869, this 9-hole course is the 4th oldest golf club in England |
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| Still low tide |
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| The salt marshes of the River Aln |
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| Saint Mary the Virgin, Lesbury |
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| Diversion for tea and refreshments at the village shop in Lesbury before returning to Alnmouth and then home |
