tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366612977903606502024-03-05T04:03:43.034+00:00My NorthumberlandAn insiders guide to one of Britain's last wildernesses.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-67247091085141166022011-04-03T16:41:00.000+00:002011-04-03T16:43:46.100+00:00Iron Chef America Is A Great Show<p style="text-align: justify;">Guest post of the week by Roscoe Harris</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Cooking is a past time of mine and one that I enjoy doing on a regular basis as my healthy husband and kids can tell you about. However, for some people they will enjoy watching the competition that is present when someone else is cooking. For me that ultimate competition comes in watching some of the best chefs in the world competing against one another. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The show that allows me to see the <a href="http://www.tvbydirect.com/">best shows</a> competing against each other is none other the Iron Chef America. Now for some people they may think that this show is nothing more than a normal <a href="http://www.tvbydirect.com/">cooking show</a>, but they need to realize that it is way more than that because it gives me some great ideas for meals. Even with those challenging items that they use on the set I know that if I can watch them closely I can copy the menu that they have in place and produce great food for my family. The problem that they have is trying to convince me that I need to reproduce the dish more than just once in a great while. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Being able to know that Iron Chef America is on is a wonderful thing. However, if it was not for my <a href="http://www.tvbydirect.com/">Satellite TV channels</a> that I watch I would not be able to watch this show. That is when I know just how important of an item this really is.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-22210109651237569092007-11-01T10:28:00.000+00:002007-11-02T16:20:46.209+00:00Quick Review: TutorVista<div style="text-align: justify;">If you need <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/">homework help</a> or have an examination looming in the distance then <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/">online tutoring</a> could be a useful addition to your preparation methods. Lots of people struggle with <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/content/mathcontent.php">math</a> - particularly things like <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/content/math/algebra/algebra.php">algebra</a>, geometry, calculus and statistics and having their own math <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/">tutor</a> could really be a big help to them. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">TutorVista</span> can also offer expert guidance on the correct use of <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/content/englishcontent.php">English</a> (in an American sense) and <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/content/englishcontent.php">grammar</a> as well as <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/content/englishcontent.php">reading comprehension</a> and even <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/content/sciencecontent.php">science</a>. Whatever your subject, there's an <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/">online tutor</a> waiting to help you.<br /><br />Whether you need tutoring with your reading or writing, <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">TutorVista</span></a> is bound to have something of interest to you. Alternatively you could always go to the library and read a textbook like normal people do.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-27647522096714445282007-06-04T12:54:00.001+00:002008-12-13T03:36:32.271+00:00Ingram Valley<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7KsVi5_NFOMsAd6elw5l0K0wqeHhTsW8FmFBs7TCEtZFQ7KU6EoOVWzvTcyJEWRmhM5uVljpOaU9yZj6ksCse1y8CyAJenltrjeT1YUQSlADdiMUVoVRzg-hzQ9gPUuGOIK2fJB94vE/s1600-h/ingram+valley.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7KsVi5_NFOMsAd6elw5l0K0wqeHhTsW8FmFBs7TCEtZFQ7KU6EoOVWzvTcyJEWRmhM5uVljpOaU9yZj6ksCse1y8CyAJenltrjeT1YUQSlADdiMUVoVRzg-hzQ9gPUuGOIK2fJB94vE/s320/ingram+valley.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072192311855322354" border="0"></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The small Northumberland village of Ingram sits in the upper Breamish valley in the north west of the county, about 6 miles south of Wooler.<br /><br />The Ingram valley through which the small Breamish river runs is very popular place with summer visitors and hill walkers. Drive past the visitor centre until you come to the public toilets/car park on the right. This is the starting point to climb the hills.<br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Opposite the car park, half way up the hill towards Brough's Law, are the remnants of a bronze age settlement. It's easily missed - keep an eye out for the overgrown area surrounded by stones. That's it. It takes approximately half an hour to walk up the beaten path to the top of Brough's Law, where the view is magnificent.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The nearest shop is back on the main road (turn right when you reach it)and is part of a petrol station. Attached is a restaurant which is well worth a visit. There is also a small antiques centre and fresh-local meat butcher shop.</p><div style="text-align: justify;">Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingram%2C_Northumberland">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to the Ingram Valley:</font><br /><font style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road from the south:</font> take the main A1 trunk road north and turn left on to the A697. Follow the A697 northwards to Powburn. Take the first left after the River Breamish bridge.<br /><font style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road from the north:</font> Take the main A1 trunk road from Edinburgh and Berwick upon Tweed. Turn off at Belford, on the right about 12 miles south of Berwick. From Belford follow the B6349 then B6348 to Wooler. At Wooler follow the main A697 about 10 miles southwards and turn right just before the River Breamish bridge and Powburn.<br /><font style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </font>The nearest station is Berwick upon Tweed.<br /><font style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</font> There are no regular bus services to the Ingram valley<br /></div><p><br />Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.4387&lon=-1.9749&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a></p><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-2232996006086121022007-04-28T17:06:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:32.762+00:00Amble<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxVlYLxRuQCFJ1OhBdw94EBcVWoAMRQIYh6KOpHTiVT1RNixg1DbrzNMf-tmvi2aElC2n8RvuYa2a52oLFdY_iiK0G8MzzyacOtZ7sN5hPi4bwe3q7C13u2bQESKk_DZ12CEaitbvRYGm/s1600-h/Amble.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxVlYLxRuQCFJ1OhBdw94EBcVWoAMRQIYh6KOpHTiVT1RNixg1DbrzNMf-tmvi2aElC2n8RvuYa2a52oLFdY_iiK0G8MzzyacOtZ7sN5hPi4bwe3q7C13u2bQESKk_DZ12CEaitbvRYGm/s400/Amble.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058527164248335410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Amble harbour - the friendliest port.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amble is a town in Northumberland, England. It is a seaport on the North Sea coast. It lies at the mouth of the River Coquet.<br /><br />Amble grew in the nineteenth century as collieries were opened; its location at the mouth of the River Coquet, and its then newly built railway links to the Northumberland coalfields, made it an ideal centre for the transportation and export of coal. Other industries, such as ship building and repair, and sea fishing, expanded with the growth of the town, although traditional Northumbrian fishing vessels such as cobles will have sheltered in the natural harbour here for centuries previously.<br /><br />Today, the collieries in Northumberland are all closed (the last, Ellington, closed in 2005), and the railway no longer serves Amble. However, the fishing industry survives, albeit with a somewhat reduced numbers of vessels, as does a small marine industry, mainly concentrated around the construction and repair of yachts and other pleasure craft. A small industrial estate is located to the southwest of the town, whose clients include food processing plants, vehicle repairs and telecommunications companies.<br /><br />Tourism forms an important sector of the town's economy - part of the harbour has been redeveloped into a marina, and several caravan parks, guest houses and B&Bs exist to serve visitors to the Northumberland coast.<br /><br />Saint Cuthbert lived on Coquet Island just offshore from the town,which retains its strong Christian identity. Amble's four churches are often quite busy, especially at Christmas eve-although the impact of liberalisation of licensing laws on Midnight Mass remains to be seen. Nearby Warkworth is noted for its castle.<br /><br />Amble holds the title 'Friendliest Port'. It is believed this title comes from the 1930s when the RMS Mauretania was heading on her last voyage to the breaker's yard at Rosyth and stopped for the last time in Amble. Amble catered for the men of the ship and gave them food and shelter, as they parted they said that Amble was ' the last and friendliest port of England.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amble">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Alnmouth<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">:</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span> Take the main A1 trunk road north from Newcastle upon Tyne, to A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">lnwick.</span> Take the A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">lnwick </span>exit and follow the road towards A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">lnwick </span>town centre. From the town centre take the A1068 coastal route. Amble is about 8 miles south east of Alnwick.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">lnmouth.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">rriva </span></span><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">N<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">orthumbria </span></span>service 518 goes from the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">H<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">aymarket </span></span>Bus Station in Newcastle via Morpeth<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"> </span>to Amble<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">.</span> In the reverse direction, the 518 goes from Alnwick<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"> </span>via the coast to Amble<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">. During the summer months the Coastal Clipper service runs between Bamburgh and Amble.</span><br /><br />Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.3302&lon=-1.584&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a></span></span></span><br /><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-12273209223722481922007-02-24T16:56:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:32.870+00:00Bedlington<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7KoHMPVWVRlK9h1PxJM7aWY_gZlPlgdoau1OJql4mysVDzRmpxw6d6vjFuo9r_y7BN8_s5uLlAUdM6ov3VtCqKsD8DjS5j6lycg9EK_peuUHWErlzxOXRL7ftbnV5h9N4yyWBY168MX0/s1600-h/Bedlington+Terriers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7KoHMPVWVRlK9h1PxJM7aWY_gZlPlgdoau1OJql4mysVDzRmpxw6d6vjFuo9r_y7BN8_s5uLlAUdM6ov3VtCqKsD8DjS5j6lycg9EK_peuUHWErlzxOXRL7ftbnV5h9N4yyWBY168MX0/s400/Bedlington+Terriers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035480865922072210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Bedlington Terriers.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Bedlington is a town in Northumberland, to the north of the Tyne and Wear urban area. Nearby places include Morpeth, Ashington, Blyth and Cramlington. The parish of Bedlington constituted the historic exclave of County Durham called Bedlingtonshire.<br /><br />Bedlington was an industrial town with an iron works and several coal mines. However in more recent times the town has undergone many changes, and is now more of a Dormitory town.<br /><br />Bedlington ('Bedaz' in Charv terms) and the hamlets belonging to it were bought by Cutheard, bishop of Durham, between 900 and 915, and although locally situated in the county of Northumberland became part of the county palatine (from Lat. palatium, a palace) of Durham over which Bishop Walcher was granted royal rights by William the Conqueror.<br /><br />When these rights were taken from Cuthbert Tunstall, bishop of Durham, in 1536, Bedlington among his other property lost its special privileges, but was confirmed to, him in 1541 with the other property of his predecessors. Together with the other lands of the see of Durham, Bedlington was made over to the ecclesiastical commissioners in 1866. Bedlingtonshire was made part of Northumberland for civil purposes by acts of parliament in 1832 and 1844.<br /><br />The town has good bus links with nearby Newcastle Upon Tyne which is where the majority of residents have employment. The town's front street has one supermarket, a post office and several other smaller shops, however the number of these is starting to decline. A weekly market (more of a car boot sale, offering an assortment of muck and tat) is held on a Thursday next to the magistrates' court. There are also several public houses.<br /><br />In terms of food, there are a wide number of takeaways covering Indo-China, Eastern Europe and, of course, fish and chips.<br /><br />The town is also home to Saint Benet Biscops Roman Catholic High School, a school praised by many members of the local community for its outstanding standards of education with several families making appeals to send their children to the school.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedlington">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Bedlington<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">:</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span> From the south: Take the main A1 trunk road to just north of Newcastle upon Tyne and then take the A19 exit. Follow the A19 for 3 miles and then take the A189 exit at the roundabout. Follow the A189 north towards Blyth. Just after the River Blyth bridge take the first left and follow the road along the river to Bedlington. From the north: Take the main A1 trunck road south to Alnwick. Head for Alnwick town centre and follow the signs for the A1068 coastal route. Follow the A1068 until it merges with the A189. Follow the A189 until toward Blyth. Take the right hand turn just before the River Blyth bridge and follow the river towards Bedlington.<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is Cramlington<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Buses run from Ashington, Blyth and Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station to Bedlington</span></span><br /></div><br /><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.1316&lon=-1.5995&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a></span></span></span><br /></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-54566909454416484472007-02-16T11:36:00.000+00:002007-02-16T11:49:58.522+00:00Quick Review: easytobook.com<div style="text-align: justify;">This post is sponsored by <a href="http://www.easytobook.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">easytobook</span>.com</a>.<br /><br />Where better to good and experience a relaxed way of life, bit of culture and vibrant European destination than <a href="http://www.easytobook.com/en/barcelona-hotels">Barcelona</a>? The second largest city in Spain is located on the north east coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Legend has it that the city was founded by Hercules 400 years before Rome and that it was rebuilt by the Carthaginian Hamilcar <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Barca</span>, father of Hannibal, who named the city <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Barcino</span> after his family, in the 3rd century BC.<br /><br />The city is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">famous</span> for its collection of museums and architecture of Antoni <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gaudi</span>. It has 3 miles of golden sandy beaches and a lot of the city was redeveloped for the 1992 Olympic games. The city boasts a Mediterranean climate of warm, dry winters and hot, humid summers. There are more than 200 <a href="http://www.easytobook.com/en/barcelona-hotels">hotels</a> in the centre of Barcelona and there are some great accommodation deals on offer.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Easytobook</span>.com have a range of Barcelona hotels at up to 75% discount. For more information on cheap Barcelona hotels visit their <a href="http://www.easytobook.com/en/barcelona-hotels">website</a>.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-22724005145440682772007-01-24T15:25:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:33.164+00:00Belsay<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukkF5eUMv5dynQHcNAUsVqzgit6IgLTEzUgttzJlfF5S2sQLfK-sqSQpVnh8KIUYtOOHgXfLwZuqkozix9OyRfo0iTLFWm6XyNULeoDGW8tPdgwfTMOE4V0qqda0X6Wk95gW9raKRTA0e/s1600-h/Belsay+Castle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukkF5eUMv5dynQHcNAUsVqzgit6IgLTEzUgttzJlfF5S2sQLfK-sqSQpVnh8KIUYtOOHgXfLwZuqkozix9OyRfo0iTLFWm6XyNULeoDGW8tPdgwfTMOE4V0qqda0X6Wk95gW9raKRTA0e/s400/Belsay+Castle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023618817068859858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Belsay Castle.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Belsay is a village in Northumberland, in England. It is situated to the north-west of Newcastle upon Tyne and Ponteland, on the A696. Belsay is home to Belsay Castle.<br /><br />It was founded by Scottish nobleman and doctor John de Strivelyn around 1340 when he was granted the property by Edward III. On his death the castle and estate passed to his daughter, who was married to Sir John Middleton, and has remained with the family since.<br /><br />Belsay has many attractions: a fine medieval castle, enlarged into a mansion in the 17th century; the imposing Greek Revival villa which was built later; and the outstanding, plant-rich gardens linking the two buildings.<br /><br />The whole ensemble was owned by the Middleton family for more than seven centuries. First came the castle, still dominated by its massive 14th century 'peel tower', one of the best surviving examples in England. Though built as a refuge at a time of endemic Anglo-Scottish warfare, it was also designed to impress: its first-floor great chamber still displays rare traces of elaborate medieval wall paintings.<br /><br />Following the coming of peace under James I, a column-entranced mansion wing was added to the castle in 1614: here the family lived until Christmas Day 1817, when they moved into Belsay Hall.<br /><br />Sir Stephen Middleton gave the property to English Heritage around 1980.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belsay">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Belsay<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">:</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span> From the south: Take the main A1 trunk road to Newcastle upon Tyne. On the A1 western bypass take the Kenton turn-off (A696) sign posted toward Ponteland. Follow the road on through Ponteland and Belsay is about 10 miles further on. From the north: Leave the A1 at Morpeth and head for the town centre and over the River Wanbeck bridge. At the roundabout take the third exit and head towards Loansdean. About 800 metres after leaving the roundabout you will see the golf club house on the right - turn right immediately after. Follow the road for 8 miles to Belsay.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is Cramlington<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Very infrequent bus services run from Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station, Morpeth and Ashington. Check before travelling.</span><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"></span></span></span></span><br /></div><br /><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.1043&lon=-1.8399&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a></span></span></span><br /></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-9426269197585723062007-01-17T20:21:00.001+00:002008-12-13T03:36:33.357+00:00Quick Review: Next Student<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARQdrIqOv2ahXW9xDeGuBxSuoAfbapS9szEMdxp7f5PhOJhSyNlLlH5q76_zoGRCTeIK6XcSylt85NONl2bFKC8fvB75z2Am5A8wKRXd-rTmK7cMDDrr_wv46lvH84voh1Oxmq99vHWB6/s1600-h/academic+mortar+board.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARQdrIqOv2ahXW9xDeGuBxSuoAfbapS9szEMdxp7f5PhOJhSyNlLlH5q76_zoGRCTeIK6XcSylt85NONl2bFKC8fvB75z2Am5A8wKRXd-rTmK7cMDDrr_wv46lvH84voh1Oxmq99vHWB6/s400/academic+mortar+board.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021100177940855746" border="0" /></a><br />This post is sponsored by <a href="http://www.nextstudent.com/">Next Student</a>.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Being a student is an increasing expensive undertaking, with growing tuition fees and living costs. I know from my own experience that the fees can really mount up after 3 or 4 years at college or university and paying them back can be a worrying prospect. Next Student is a company that offers a <a href="https://www.nextstudent.com/">Student Loan Consolidation</a> service, advice and assistance. Their <a href="http://www.nextstudent.com/consolidation_loans/consolidation_loans.asp">Student Loan Consolidation</a> package benefits from having a reduced rate of interest compared to paying back several loans at the same time. With Next Student, the interest rate can be fixed as low as 4.5%.<br /><br />If you would like more information on how to manage your student debt, visit the Next Student website.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-70050549484066955032007-01-07T12:45:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:33.619+00:00Embleton<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FB6vrM9qk2qnzGhe0xzCKijiST9ok8hfxYdo-0Jc8Tqh6NJiVIUmduAhnpzJ2k9BGo4MDfY4NbQEFmYpeFE4EVo6dlA4p1-vzwOIAU2sJN4Ppf_WnAx_o0xGcU-6IQ9ODt_YBFKmCH-e/s1600-h/embleton+bay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FB6vrM9qk2qnzGhe0xzCKijiST9ok8hfxYdo-0Jc8Tqh6NJiVIUmduAhnpzJ2k9BGo4MDfY4NbQEFmYpeFE4EVo6dlA4p1-vzwOIAU2sJN4Ppf_WnAx_o0xGcU-6IQ9ODt_YBFKmCH-e/s400/embleton+bay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5017270990259740690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Embleton Bay - miles of golden sand </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">leading to Dunstanburgh Castle.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Embleton village in the English county of Northumberland is about half-a-mile from the beautiful bay which carries its name. The sandy beach is backed by dunes where a variety of flowers bloom: bluebells, cowslips, burnet roses and, to give it its common name, bloody cranesbill, amongst others. Dunstanburgh Castle stands at the southern end of Embleton Bay. Close by to the south is the pretty fishing village of Craster.<br /><br />Embleton has an attractive little main street with one shop. There is a small well-kept green with the village pump on it, out of use now but at one time the source of the water supply. The church is large with several interesting features and is historically connected with Merton College, Oxford. Close by is a pele tower - part of what was, until 1974, a fortified vicarage. On the retirement of the then vicar, the Reverend Peter Karney, who was the son of the first bishop of Johannesburg the Right Reverend Arthur Bailey Lumsdaine Karney - the tower passed into private hands and a new vicarage was built nearby. In the vicarage field there is an ancient dovecote. The village hall, the Creighton Memorial Hall, is said to be the largest in the county and is named after a former vicar who became a famous Bishop of London. The hall is the venue for a lot of the social life which goes on there. One road is named after the Embleton-born W. T. Stead, a journalist and social campaigner who lost his life on the RMS Titanic.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embleton%2C_Northumberland">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Embleton<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">:</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span> Take the main A1 trunk road north from Newcastle upon Tyne, to A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">lnwick.</span> Take the A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">lnwick </span>exit and follow the road towards A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">lnwick </span>town centre. From the town centre take the B1340 towards Seahouses and the coast. Embleton is about 8 miles north east of Alnwick.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">lnmouth.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">rriva </span></span><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">N<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">orthumbria </span></span>service 501 goes from the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">H<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">aymarket </span></span>Bus Station in Newcastle via Alnwick<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"> </span>to Embleton<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">.</span> In the reverse direction, the 501 goes from Berwick<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"> </span>via the coast to Embleton<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">. During the summer months the Coastal Clipper service runs between Bamburgh and Amble, via Embleton.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.4959&lon=-1.6355&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a></span></span></span><br /></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-63254231376605447342006-12-23T17:55:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:33.930+00:00Culture: The Stottie Cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPulGJobOE1yQTfJQUXMoPoAcA6FWYdJsExBlPUq6wGcKmMOGMIVfni-CiTPOJlGX20ZDAPIwhfDyr6W-hc7C7gDEFGLEpOyFDjqNkmo0McRPMNWhiwoGnYaIcZC-ZIfpClHNbYId-0iEF/s1600-h/stotty.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPulGJobOE1yQTfJQUXMoPoAcA6FWYdJsExBlPUq6wGcKmMOGMIVfni-CiTPOJlGX20ZDAPIwhfDyr6W-hc7C7gDEFGLEpOyFDjqNkmo0McRPMNWhiwoGnYaIcZC-ZIfpClHNbYId-0iEF/s400/stotty.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011784063233448322" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Traditionalists and historians will argue over whether the stottie cake is a Northumbrian or Tyneside invention, but one thing's for sure - it has graced many a Northumbrian packed lunch.<br /><br />The Stottie cake (or stotty) is a type of bread produced in the North East of England. It is a thick, flat, round loaf (usually about 30 cm in diameter by 8 cm deep). A proper stottie is a meal in its own right.<br /><br />Stotties tend to be eaten split and filled. Common fillings include ham and pease pudding, but also bacon, egg and sausage. The heavy texture of the bread gives it its name (to 'stott' is Geordie dialect meaning 'to bounce'), and also makes it difficult for many people to eat one whole in one sitting, therefore most bakeries provide them halved or even quartered.<br /><br />Elsewhere in the world, bread similar to the Stottie is known as Oven Bottom Bread.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stottie_cake">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-74784958295874016062006-12-23T17:48:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:34.072+00:00Culture: The Lindisfarne Gospels<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zi4HjIr6MIs3uly50LwmQLa1kjdHAG8rDwrsRS7z_RLTpL_WDGuCjokqok5bi6rZpSZHutE0G7sHH-3YKjqkFfL0deH68MNLDPa_DX5cQ05QRGd7uDb7yCD6C9dbOgLYFwfDez3THePS/s1600-h/lindisfarne+gospel.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zi4HjIr6MIs3uly50LwmQLa1kjdHAG8rDwrsRS7z_RLTpL_WDGuCjokqok5bi6rZpSZHutE0G7sHH-3YKjqkFfL0deH68MNLDPa_DX5cQ05QRGd7uDb7yCD6C9dbOgLYFwfDez3THePS/s400/lindisfarne+gospel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011781847030323570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Lindisfarne Gospels.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Lindisfarne Gospels is an illuminated Latin manuscript of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The manuscript was produced on Lindisfarne in Northumbria in the late 7th century or early 8th century, and is generally regarded as the finest example of the kingdom's unique style of religious art, a style that combined Anglo-Saxon and Celtic themes, what is now called Hiberno-Saxon art.<br /><br />The Lindisfarne Gospels are presumed to be the work of a monk named Eadfrith, who became Bishop of Lindisfarne in 698 and died in 721. Current scholarship indicates a date around 715, and it is believed they were produced in honour of St. Cuthbert. The Gospels are richly illustrated in the insular style, and were originally encased in a fine leather binding covered with jewels and metals made by Billfrith the Anchorite in the 8th century. During the Viking raids on Lindisfarne, however, this cover was lost, and a replacement made in 1852. The text is written in insular script.<br /><br />In the 10th century an Old English translation of the Gospels was made: a word-for-word gloss inserted between the lines of the Latin text by Aldred, Provost of Chester-le-Street. This is the first translation of the Gospels into the English language.<br /><br />The Gospels were taken from Durham Cathedral during the dissolution of the monasteries, ordered by Henry VIII, and were acquired in the early 17th century by Sir Robert Cotton from Robert Bowyer, Clerk of the Parliaments. Cotton's library came to the British Museum in the 18th century, and from there to the British Library in London.<br /><br />A campaign exists to have the gospels brought back to Durham Cathedral in the North East of England, a move vigorously opposed by the British Library. A modern facsimile copy of the Gospels is now housed in the Cathedral Treasury at Durham, which can be seen by visitors.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindisfarne_Gospels">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-45192009520315876972006-12-23T17:19:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:34.232+00:00Alnmouth<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5atB0GkUMAoQIcJZpJF4EJ_nMR8GcO7CnCt-8iJoPnrXc_iOTxbGSwR6CZfJuSbSWbWPSApVdkgYd8asTa93OVitl9Yt6kPyEjtf904J-b6gsl0tlUWwgwvBPoqcnEEdvE4mKmWZrJyfY/s1600-h/church+hill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5atB0GkUMAoQIcJZpJF4EJ_nMR8GcO7CnCt-8iJoPnrXc_iOTxbGSwR6CZfJuSbSWbWPSApVdkgYd8asTa93OVitl9Yt6kPyEjtf904J-b6gsl0tlUWwgwvBPoqcnEEdvE4mKmWZrJyfY/s400/church+hill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011776280752707938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Church Hill, seperated from the </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">village by the great storm of 1806.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Alnmouth is a small fishing and tourist village on the north Northumberland coast. It's about 4 miles south east of the town of Alnwick and lies at the mouth of the River Aln.<br /><br />The village has been an important trading port in Northumberland's past, mainly involved in the export of grain, and smuggling. The port declined after the river changed course in 1806. This incident also resulted in the original church being cut off from the rest of the village.<br /><br />The village was in 1860 selected as one of fourteen weather stations, and equipped with barometer by the Duke of Northumberland acting as president of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The barometer and a chart of recent readings was kept on public display, to seek to provide fishermen with indications of likely weather patterns so as to assist in diminishing losses at sea. The barometer remains on display, in the window of a cottage facing on the the main street, to this day.<br /><br />Today, Alnmouth is a popular tourist resort, served by Alnmouth railway station which is situated in Bilton, a mile outside Alnmouth. The narrow streets are home to candy-coloured houses (just like kid's TV programme Balamory). The village has a good range of pubs and hotels and is the ideal base to tour the rest of the county.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnmouth">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Alnmouth<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">:</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span> Take the main A1 trunk road north from Newcastle upon Tyne, to A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">lnwick.</span> Take the A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">lnwick </span>exit and follow the road towards A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">lnwick </span>town centre. From the town centre take the A1068 coastal route. Alnmouth is about 4 miles south east of Alnwick.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">lnmouth.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">rriva </span></span><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">N<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">orthumbria </span></span>service 518 goes from the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">H<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">aymarket </span></span>Bus Station in Newcastle via Morpeth<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"> </span>to Alnmouth<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">.</span> In the reverse direction, the 518 goes from Alnwick<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"> </span>via the coast to Alnmouth<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">. During the summer months the Coastal Clipper service runs between Bamburgh and Amble, via Alnmouth.</span><br /><br />Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.3871&lon=-1.613&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a></span></span></span><br /></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-86293683079977627612006-12-23T16:47:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:34.484+00:00Blyth<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3DUQei6-g0OPrKMx2VMwK3a0CJcmiillieTnlleRBi1B8EGeDpAb7hWiasz647EuwFcvppCziJ-fsEvx6WBQ6u8oGV6dct287y-ZJ_prFMhs8Irf4PNW7Bs8bb__X9xqbBfYUqHQyf63/s1600-h/blyth+harbour.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3DUQei6-g0OPrKMx2VMwK3a0CJcmiillieTnlleRBi1B8EGeDpAb7hWiasz647EuwFcvppCziJ-fsEvx6WBQ6u8oGV6dct287y-ZJ_prFMhs8Irf4PNW7Bs8bb__X9xqbBfYUqHQyf63/s400/blyth+harbour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011771517633976658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Blyth is a nuclear-free zone - perhaps its only redeeming feature.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'm scraping the barrel once again in my whistle-stop tour of (arguably) England's most beautiful county. This time we're at Blyth - home of not-so-golden beaches, pollution, crime and unemployment. Kind of like <a href="http://mynorthumberland.blogspot.com/2006/11/ashington.html">Ashington</a>, but slightly less glamorous and easy on the sinuses. On a positive note it does have some 'canny' people (as we say around these parts), innovative technology on Kitty Brewster industrial estate, loads of cheap continental retail outlets (you know the ones) and the wind turbines are making a positive contribution in the fight against global warming. Rumour has it you could once catch fish in the harbour but now you only get supermarket trolleys and burnt-out cars. The local Labour MP is Ronnie 'the Monkey' Campbell - so called because he was too stupid to complete his own time sheets down the pit. Blank out the vision that he is now stalking the corridors of power. He's also not a man to mess with arguing over a kebab (allegedly). As Ronnie would tell you, if he could string a coherent sentence together, despite it's limitations Blyth is still a good place to get a decent bag of chips.<br /><br />The Earls of Derwentwater owned Blyth and the surrounding land up until 1716, when the third and final Earl was executed after the 1715 Jacobite rising. In 1723, the land was bought by Matthew White and his brother-in-law Richard Ridley, with accumulated fortunes from town-based trades. By 1730, Matthew White extended his landed possessions by purchasing Blagdon, which still remains the seat of his descendants.<br /><br />The port of Blyth dates from the 12th century, but the modern town of Blyth only developed in the 18th century, with the erection of a quay for the shipment of coal. There were also fourteen salt pans with an annual production of over one thousand tons. The industry closed in 1876 with the destruction of the last saltpan.<br /><br />Nevertheless, the port continued to prosper. By 1853, the Blyth Harbour and Dock Company was formed, and five years later, the harbour was dredged, allowing a substantial increase in the coal trade: increasing from 250,000 tons of coal being exported in 1855, to 3 million tons by 1900.<br /><br />Shipbuilding records go back to 1748 but only rose to a formidable level after the beginning of the 20th century, when it developed one of the largest shipbuilding yards on the North East coast with five dry docks and four building slipways. During the First and Second World Wars, the Blyth shipyards built many ships for the Royal Navy including the first aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal in 1914. The shipyard was closed in 1967.<br /><br />The fishing industry also played a significant part in Blyth's development with many people engaged in the salmon and herring industries in the months of August and September.<br /><br />In 1831 there were 246 inhabited houses combined with a total population of 1,769. By 1931 this had risen to 7,218 inhabited houses with a total population of 31,680.<br /><br />During the Second World War Blyth Harbour was a submarine base.<br /><br />Blyth has been seriously affected by the running down of the coalmining and shipbuilding industries but the port of Blyth still remains a major industry in the area with the shipment of paper and pulp from Scandinavia for the newspaper industries of England and Scotland. It is also a dormitory town with substantial new housing estates. There are two trading estates in Blyth, namely Cowpen and Kitty Brewster.<br /><br />Cambois, just north of Blyth, was the site of a large coal-fired power station. It opened in 1958 and closed in January 2002. The chimneys were demolished on December 7, 2003. Blyth pier (which protects the entrance to the river from the sea) has been home to nine wind turbines since 1992, joined in 2000 by two offshore wind turbines 1km out to sea. At 2MW each, they were when installed the largest in the world.<br /><br />The town is home to one of England's best-known non-league football clubs, Blyth Spartans.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blyth%2C_Northumberland">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Blyth:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road from the south:</span> take the main A189 trunk road north from Newcastle. Blyth is about 12 miles north of Newcastle.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road from the north:</span> Take the main A1 trunk road from Edinburgh and Berwick upon Tweed to Alnwick, about 30 miles south of Berwick. Turn off at Alnwick and take the A1068 coastal route. Just south of Ellington join the A189. Blyth is on the left just after the Ashington turn off. Head for the wind turbines.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is Cramlington.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus: </span><span>Services 42, 43, 101, X1 and EX1 (plus many others) connect Blyth and Newcastle upon Tyne.</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.631&lon=-2.084&scale=100000&icon=x"></a><br /></div><br /><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.1348&lon=-1.5596&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a></span></span></span><br /><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-545656567988275012006-12-23T15:47:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:34.639+00:00Ford and Etal<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc7pjhktWw0taUkmgG102yaw2LWPrCnQxSYGzx6O-kk5ZOe49qbq58yK-9hqCghIphDkE4pfXGO0pEHDSlZaNIidVHpbpCRkfzS8FqrS9QuGNoPg7d2miBxAbiTtxH0rplEHusE_cIpJ2/s1600-h/ford+castle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc7pjhktWw0taUkmgG102yaw2LWPrCnQxSYGzx6O-kk5ZOe49qbq58yK-9hqCghIphDkE4pfXGO0pEHDSlZaNIidVHpbpCRkfzS8FqrS9QuGNoPg7d2miBxAbiTtxH0rplEHusE_cIpJ2/s400/ford+castle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011754058591918402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Ford Castle, gardens and estate.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Ford is a small village in Northumberland, England, about 13 miles (21 km) from Berwick-upon-Tweed. Ford shares a parish with Etal.<br /><br />Very little is known of the history of the area before the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, but Bronze Age rock carvings in the area suggest that there might have been some settlement at that time.<br /><br />It is thought the shallow crossing of the River Till (a ford) which gave the village its name, was probably a crossing place for monks and nuns travelling between the monasteries at Iona and Lindisfarne during the Anglo-Saxon period.<br /><br />Written records for Ford begin after the Norman Conquest in 1066 and the introduction of the manorial system, when the manor of Ford was held by the Heron family. A substantial stone castle was built at Ford in 1287, in order to protect the Manor from the constant border warfare waged between the Scots and the English during the medieval period.<br /><br />In 1513, James IV of Scotland made his base at Ford Castle, prior to the Battle of Flodden, the last major battle between the two nations. James was killed, along with 9,000 of his men.<br /><br />After Flodden, peace came to the area and by the 19th century Ford was a thriving agricultural and forestry community. Ford Castle had been rebuilt in the 1760s and in 1859, Louisa, Marchioness of Beresford inherited Ford Estate on the death of her husband, the 3rd Marquess (who in turn, had inherited it from his mother, Susanna, Marchioness of Waterford). Lady Waterford, a gifted amateur watercolourist with an interest in the welfare of the tenants on the estate, rebuilt the village. A new school was built – today the Lady Waterford Hall, and is decorated with wall paintings by Lady Waterford, and opens daily at 10.30am. The 12th century church of St Michael's was restored.<br /><br />The estate was bought by the Joicey family in 1907 and it remains in their ownership today. The castle was used as a convalescent hospital by the Red Cross during the Second World War and is now leased by the Northumberland County Council who use it as an educational camp. The castle is not open to the public except on open days.<br /><br />Much of the employment in Ford is connected in one way or another with the Ford estate. There is St Michael's Church of England First School and a village shop, which doubles as a Post Office. There are also a number of businesses connected with tourism, such as Ford Nurseries, a second-hand book dealer and The Estate House, the local bed and breakfast.<br /><br />Etal is a small village in the far north of the county of Northumberland, England which shares a parish with nearby Ford. It lies on a bridging point of the River Till ten miles south west of Berwick Upon Tweed, and can boast the substantial ruins of a medieval castle currently owned by English Heritage. It has just one residential street, and has a population of less than one hundred.<br /><br />The village is centred on a now ruined castle, which over the years has seen much conflict between England and Scotland. The large majority of the buildings in the village are traditional and are owned by Ford & Etal estates. Also there is a thatched pub (The Black Bull) and nextdoor is the village hall. Hiding discreetly behind the Lavender Tearooms and a few more picture postcard houses is an expansive walled garden. Used extensively by the late Lady Joicey for the training of dressage horses, it is now used intermitintly for Icelandic Horse events and features a grass oval track.<br /></div><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford%2C_Northumberland">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Ford and Etal:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road from the south:</span> take the main A1 trunk road north and turn left on to the A697. Follow the A697 northwards through Wooler. About 9 miles after Wooler turn right on to the B6353. Ford is about 2 miles east on the B6353.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road from the north:</span> Take the main A1 trunk road from Edinburgh and Berwick upon Tweed. About 3 miles south of Berwick, just past Scremerston, turn right on to the B6525. About 6 miles further on you will come to Barmoor Lane End, where the B6525 takes a sharp right and then left. Just after the sharp left take the B6353, which is the firt turn on the right.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is Berwick upon Tweed.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> There are no regular bus services to Ford and Etal.<br /><br />Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.631&lon=-2.084&scale=100000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a><br /><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-82765565718558056682006-12-21T18:15:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:34.861+00:00Quick Review: ProjectorsCenter.com<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMll-5ZS8fSR1qOEA-473W_LaZSkW5lZyrsKN7nfGsO54YN7FGrXgLxirzv4TdayOvKXnFhSasST3ZUsdD4DfLRUhqgelGOP_xb4CHe1llVJ9bped6M9ZQ9HCg3Qtyyjb7nWmVlc_GE4pM/s1600-h/cine+projector.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMll-5ZS8fSR1qOEA-473W_LaZSkW5lZyrsKN7nfGsO54YN7FGrXgLxirzv4TdayOvKXnFhSasST3ZUsdD4DfLRUhqgelGOP_xb4CHe1llVJ9bped6M9ZQ9HCg3Qtyyjb7nWmVlc_GE4pM/s400/cine+projector.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011048060457736482" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For state of the art projector technology<br />visit Projectors Center.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This post is sponsored by <a href="http://www.projectorscenter.com/">Projectors Center</a>.<br /><br />In the age of home computing and PowerPoint presentations you might be interested in buying a new projector this Christmas. It's certainly something I've considered - it'd come in very handy for my first aid training, but I know they can be pretty costly to buy and maintain. That's where <a href="http://www.projectorscenter.com/">Projectors Center</a> comes in handy. They have a great range of <a href="http://www.projectorscenter.com/">LCD projectors</a>, DLP<a href="http://www.projectorscenter.com/"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"></span></a> projectors, <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SVGA</span> projectors and consumables at an affordable price. Bizarrely they choose to sell them via an Amazon shop, but that means you're dealing with a familiar and reputable online merchant.<br /><br />For all your projector needs visit the <a href="http://www.projectorscenter.com/">Projectors Center</a>.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-40431290920837772082006-12-17T20:43:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:35.069+00:00Beadnell<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYMPagxi_wjoOFpheYqK9kzw_xjBSYbzimGqGJb2_IgoX8PdublPC0avyNsTY_eP2ChnAkgGOzmltTBRSQE_JuwtQ0WEfIHLly4IYp-aBpacJsbtaAtickh443wOSN1vHg4yQidwpN64e/s1600-h/Beadnell+Harbour.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYMPagxi_wjoOFpheYqK9kzw_xjBSYbzimGqGJb2_IgoX8PdublPC0avyNsTY_eP2ChnAkgGOzmltTBRSQE_JuwtQ0WEfIHLly4IYp-aBpacJsbtaAtickh443wOSN1vHg4yQidwpN64e/s400/Beadnell+Harbour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5009603473977530626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Beadnell - the only west facing </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">harbour on the east coast.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Beadnell is a village situated about 6 km south east of Bamburgh, on the North Sea coast. Beadnell Bay offers spectacular views of Newton Point and the rugged ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle to the south.<br /><br />Containing the only west-facing port on the east coast of England, Beadnell is a tourist base, the town being largely comprised of holiday homes, with some small-scale fishing. After many, many lashings by the icy rough sea the harbour is in a state of disrepair and the small pier is barely passable. Two large caravan sites neighbour the village, as well as a handful of campsites.<br /><br />The Parish Church is the Anglican Church of St. Ebba, built in 1746 and restored in the nineteenth century. A sixteenth century Pele tower remains as part of the public house The Craster Arms<br /><br />Near the harbour are historic Limekilns, now owned by the National Trust. Beadnell is within the North Northumberland Heritage Coast, and Beadnell Bay, a sandy beach stretching 3 km (1.8 miles) to the south, contains a nationally important colony of Little Tern and the largest mainland colony of Arctic Tern in the United Kingdom. The beach was awarded the Blue flag rural beach award in 2005.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beadnell">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Beadnell:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road from the south:</span> take the main A1 trunk road from Newcastle upon Tyne. About 40 miles north of Newcastle you will pass the small hamelet of Brownieside on the left. Take the next right after Brownieside and follow signs for Beadnell and Seahouses.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road from the north:</span> Take the main A1 trunk road from Edinburgh and Berwick upon Tweed. About 15 miles south of Berwick you will come to Belford, with it's distinctive grain silos on the left. Turn left at the junction next to the silos and follow signs for Seahouses then Beadnell.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is Chathill, but the services there are very infrequent. Your best bet is to get a train to Alnmouth for Alnwick station and take the local 518 bus service to Alnwick, before catching the connecting 501 bus service to Beadnell.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> Arriva Northumbria service 501 runs between Newcastle upon Tyne and Berwick upon Tweed and passes through Beadnell.<br /><br />Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.5592&lon=-1.6335&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a><br /></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-14303189754648428252006-12-14T14:24:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:35.369+00:00Culture: The Northumbrian Pipes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQczNTjb65ye3Sb-maLR1VOunlWwWNfs6ircy94bdjcqK5HbFg1HBXJyndliKJAMQ0E4yhOr29crCJ7LT8B92GuYtzlZoRoEH8TpMATdlC5B0wuWTiTj5KOeyD4c_aokobScxAAKi3T4gt/s1600-h/northumbrian+pipes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQczNTjb65ye3Sb-maLR1VOunlWwWNfs6ircy94bdjcqK5HbFg1HBXJyndliKJAMQ0E4yhOr29crCJ7LT8B92GuYtzlZoRoEH8TpMATdlC5B0wuWTiTj5KOeyD4c_aokobScxAAKi3T4gt/s400/northumbrian+pipes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5008389172877212418" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The Northumbrian smallpipes (also known as the Northumbrian pipes) are bellows-blown bagpipes from the north-east of England. It shares the unusual characteristic, (along with the Uilleann pipes played on the knee), of being able to play staccato. Here this is done by giving the chanter a completely closed end. This combined with the unusually tight fingering (each note is played by lifting only one finger or opening one key) means that traditional Northumbrian piping is staccato in style. The chanter has a number of metal keys, most commonly seven, but chanters with a two octave range can be made which require seventeen keys, all played with either the right hand thumb or left hand pinkie. There is no overblowing to get this two octave range, due to the cylindrical bore; the keys are therefore integral, along with the length of the chanter, to obtaining the two octaves. The original (18th century) short keyless chanters only had the range of one octave. The introduction of keyed chanters with a range of more than one octave seems to have happened around 1800, with makers such as John Dunn, and later Robert Reid and his son James. In practice, beginning players find that the seven key chanter, with a range of D to b, is sufficient for playing most of the traditional piping repertoire. Chanters with more keys permit playing tunes with a wider range or with more chromatic notes, and allow access to much of the fiddle repertoire.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Traditionally, the chanter has been pitched somewhere between F and F sharp, older instruments often being close to F sharp; this has now been standardised at what Northumbrian pipers refer to as F+, a pitch where the nominal G sounds approximately twenty cents sharp of F natural. This nominal G, however, is always notated as G. Nowadays, chanters are available anywhere from D to G, F+ being the commonest for solo or ensemble piping, but G being the most popular for playing ensemble with other instruments. There are usually four drones on the Northumbrian pipes, which can be tuned to several different combinations of pitch for playing in different keys. Each drone will usually possess one or more 'bead holes' allowing its pitch to be raised by a tone or two. Different drone tunings can be set up, allowing a piper to play in different keys. Sets with five or even six drones are made, to allow ease of retuning. Only three drones are usually sounded at once, tuned for instance to G, D and g if the tonic of the tune is G. Sets with more than four drones sometimes have drone switches, allowing players to change key without stopping playing.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The traditional and basic style of playing on the instrument is to play each note slightly staccato. Each note is only sounded by lifting one finger or operating one key. The aim is to play each note as full length as possible, but still separate from the next - 'The notes should come out like peas'. The chanter is closed, and thus silent, between any two notes. For decoration, it is common to play short grace notes preceding a melody note. Some pipers allow themselves to play these open-fingered, and hence not staccato, and Billy Pigg was able to get great expressive effects in this way - 'You should be able to hear the bairns crying'. But 'choyting', that is the complex open-fingered gracing after the manner of Highland piping, is generally frowned on, and Tom Clough made a point of avoiding open fingered ornament altogether, considering open-fingering 'a grievous error'.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northumbrian_pipes">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-60758595639740738732006-12-11T10:02:00.000+00:002008-12-13T03:36:35.770+00:00Craster<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RH2wXCYTlVzVuIcLDn3OsipLnHJU33xUsvN6gnKCQKy2l8YtYzGpSlPkIUSh75h8EF6rd-IPZyJNNtMf5e5VwhorPiY5hyphenhyphen_6BKcokmMGjjDRjDEUkYiIy0rfGEr3IY_D8yxsvGDLD00t/s1600-h/Craster+Harbour.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RH2wXCYTlVzVuIcLDn3OsipLnHJU33xUsvN6gnKCQKy2l8YtYzGpSlPkIUSh75h8EF6rd-IPZyJNNtMf5e5VwhorPiY5hyphenhyphen_6BKcokmMGjjDRjDEUkYiIy0rfGEr3IY_D8yxsvGDLD00t/s400/Craster+Harbour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5007208547328860002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Craster harbour.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvl8gJu9NPuOZyaxPfOlRaN2JbHWojwZ5IBaTIZiI-l3ClGKoS3fbJsfFlZ9JClHv2jqE1Bw-4tc1yccUQT2B4XSDf5sYJgr5XVXsVceKeJSvkEib7vSb1vLlruqm6AF1WMKQiDx8SM-4/s1600-h/Craster+Boat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvl8gJu9NPuOZyaxPfOlRaN2JbHWojwZ5IBaTIZiI-l3ClGKoS3fbJsfFlZ9JClHv2jqE1Bw-4tc1yccUQT2B4XSDf5sYJgr5XVXsVceKeJSvkEib7vSb1vLlruqm6AF1WMKQiDx8SM-4/s400/Craster+Boat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5007208461429514066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Craster fishing fleet.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Craster is a small fishing village on the Northumbrian coast of England. It has a small and attractive harbour and offers a view northwards along the rocky shore to the spectacular ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. This is the nearest point of access to the castle and the approach must be made on foot as there is just a grassy path. The next village to the north is Embleton.<br /><br />For many years, the village has had herring-curing business and Craster kippers are well known in England. The local herrings are smoked in a traditional manner by the Robson family.<br /><br />The remains of a tower on the end of the harbour are all that can be seen now of the much taller building which was part of the overhead equipment which used to convey the local stone from where it was quarried to boats in the harbour. Craster Tower, as it is called, is the home of the Craster family who owned the quarry and had the harbour improved for its benefit. A memorial on the harbour wall commemorates a member of the Craster family who died serving with the British army in Tibet in the 19th century.<br /><br />The walk along the coast to the south is almost as spectacular as that to the north and passes by Cullernose Point, an example of the basaltic cliffs which are a significant feature of the local landscape.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craster">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Craster<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">:</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span> Take the main A1 trunk road north from Newcastle upon Tyne, to A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">lnwick.</span> Take the A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">lnwick </span>exit and follow the road towards A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">lnwick </span>town centre. From the town centre take the B1340 towards Seahouses and the coast. Craster is about 6 miles north east of Alnwick.<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">lnmouth.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">rriva </span></span><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">N<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">orthumbria </span></span>service 501 goes from the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">H<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">aymarket </span></span>Bus Station in Newcastle via Alnwick<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"> </span>to Craster<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">.</span> In the reverse direction, the 501 goes from Berwick<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"> </span>via the coast to Craster<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">. During the summer months the Coastal Clipper service runs between Bamburgh and Amble, via Craster.</span><br /><br />Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.4721&lon=-1.5934&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a></span></span></span><br /></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-75590052567734441822006-11-30T08:47:00.000+00:002006-12-17T20:28:53.552+00:00Warkworth<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/1600/184821/warkworth%20castle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/400/831709/warkworth%20castle.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Warkworth</span> Castle loftily guards the </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">meandering River <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Coquet</span>.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Warkworth</span> is situated in a loop of the River <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Coquet</span>, about 1 mile from the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Northumberland</span> coast and lies on the main A1068 road. It is 30 miles north of Newcastle, and about 40 miles south of the Scottish border. An ancient bridge of two arches crosses the river at <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Warkworth</span>, with a fortified gateway on the road mounting to the castle.<br /><br />Tourist attractions in <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Warkworth</span> include the castle, church, hermitage, river walks, and the nearby <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Northumberland</span> Coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">AONB</span>).<br /><br />St. Lawrence church is unique in <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Northumberland</span> in being a large and almost completely Norman building.<br /><br />Of the imposing castle, Nikolaus <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Pevsner</span> says that the military engineer happened also to be a great architect. He goes on: "<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Warkworth</span> must be approached from the north. With its bridge, its bridge-tower, then Bridge Street at an angle, joining the main street up a hill to the towering, sharply cut block of the keep, it is one of the most exciting sequences of views one can have in England."<br /><br />Facilities in <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Warkworth</span> include three pubs, two hotels, a number of <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">café</span>s, restaurants and tearooms, a general store, and several galleries / boutiques.<br /><br />The village is host to W<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">arkworth </span>Cricket Club, a fairly successful cricket team, that has reached the last 16 of the National Village Cricket Cup on several occasions in the past 20 years, and is a regular contender for the N<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">orthumberland </span>League title, winning three years running in 2001 - 03. The team plays home matches in a spectacular setting in front of the castle.<br /><br />There is also a 9-hole golf course (5986 yd; Par 70), set in the dunes between the coast and the village.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warkworth%2C_Northumberland">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to W<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">arkworth:</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span> Take the main A1 trunk road north from Newcastle upon Tyne, to A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">lnwick.</span> Take the A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">lnwick </span>exit and follow the road towards A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">lnwick </span>town centre until the Oaks hotel roundabout. Take the third exit at the roundabout, on to the A1068. Follow the A1068 for about 6 miles to W<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">arkworth.</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">lnmouth.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">rriva </span></span><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">N<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">orthumbria </span></span>service 518 goes from the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">H<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">aymarket </span></span>Bus Station in Newcastle via M<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">orpeth </span>to W<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">arkworth.</span> In the reverse direction, the 518 goes from A<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">lnwick </span>via the coast to W<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">arkworth.</span><br /><br />Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.3442&lon=-1.6097&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a><br /></span></span></span></div><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-38900864443423766082006-11-27T14:39:00.000+00:002006-11-27T15:04:54.650+00:00Quick Review: Taps4Less.com<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/1600/174377/tap.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/400/869569/tap.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This post is sponsored by <a href="http://www.taps4less.com/">Taps4Less</a>.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />One thing we have lots of in Northumberland, thankfully, is water. Some people in the south of the UK aren't quite so lucky and struggle with drought during the summer months. Hosepipe and sprinkler bans are commonplace and there is a fear that as the population increases we'll be unable to keep up with demand for water. To prevent problems in the future, it's important to use water supplies considerately and economically now. Quality, well-maintained plumbing offers a solution to the problem.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.taps4less.com/">Taps4Less</a> have a comprehensive range of water saving devices. Their minimalist range of tap and sink fittings is an elegant addition to the <a href="http://www.taps4less.com/">modern household</a>. They also offer a good range of showers, whirlpool and designer baths - something suitable for every <a href="http://www.taps4less.com/">bathroom</a>. Taps4Less also offer free delivery to anywhere in the UK. For affordable kitchen and bathroom plumbing supplies visit the website.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-5556806755744198672006-11-25T13:12:00.000+00:002006-12-17T22:41:18.477+00:00Ashington<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/1600/2758/Woodhorn%20Colliery.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/400/28195/Woodhorn%20Colliery.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Woodhorn</span> Colliery - the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">remnants</span> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">of <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ashington's</span> mining heritage.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I thought I'd have a change of theme for this entry and talk about the South-East <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Northumberland</span></span> town of <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ashington</span></span>. <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ashington</span></span> is different from previous entries in My <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Northumberland</span></span> because it couldn't be described as particularly beautiful or historic.<br /><br /><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ashington</span></span> has a population of approximately 28,000. <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Ashington</span></span> was built up from being a small hamlet in the 1840s, as the Duke of Portland constructed housing to encourage workers escaping the potato famine to come and work at the local collieries he was founding. Mining used to be a big part of Ashington's heritage until the 1980's when the local colliery closed. The nearby pit at Ellington, which closed in early 2005, maintained the area's mining heritage.<br /><br />The town boasts the Queen Elizabeth II country park, popular with walkers and watersport enthusiasts, and a miniaturised railway popular with tourists.<br /><br />Famous footballers Jackie <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Milburn</span></span>, Bobby Charlton, Jackie Charlton and England fast bowler Steve <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Harmison</span></span>, and Sir John Hall (businessman) were all born in <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Ashington</span></span>. The town is also home to <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Ashington</span></span> A.F.C., who were previously members of The Football League.<br /><br />Inhabitants of <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Ashington</span></span> have a distinctive accent and dialect, known as <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Pitmatic</span></span>. This varies slightly from Geordie.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashington">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Ashington</span></span>:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span> Take the A189 coast road north from Newcastle upon Tyne. After about 15 miles you'll pass over the wide <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Wansbeck</span></span> estuary and come to a roundabout. Take the first exit at the roundabout. Alternatively take the A1 to <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Morpeth</span></span>. At the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Morpeth</span></span> exit turn off and follow the A197 through the town. <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Ashington</span></span> is sign posted.</span><span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Cramlington</span></span>, however it is probably easier to travel to Newcastle by train and catch a connecting bus or take a taxi.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Arriva</span></span> <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Northumbria</span></span> service X18 goes from the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Haymarket</span></span> Bus Station in Newcastle to via <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Morpeth to Ashington</span></span>.<br /><br />Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.183&lon=-1.566&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a><a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.183&lon=-1.566&scale=200000&icon=x"><br /></a></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-57009996646934481242006-11-14T22:28:00.000+00:002006-12-17T20:27:26.865+00:00Lindisfarne (Holy Island)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/1600/holy%20island%20harb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/400/holy%20island%20harb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Holy Island Castle guarding<br />over the small harbour.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is a small island off the coast of North-Northumberland. The island has a population of about 200 and is joined to the mainland by a causeway which is submerged by the tide twice a day.<br /><br />The island is a tourist hot spot because of its rich Christian heritage and stunning natural landscape. The monastery of Lindisfarne was founded by Irish born Saint Aidan, who had been sent from Iona off the west coast of Scotland to Northumbria at the request of King Oswald around AD 635. It became the base for Christian evangelising in the North of England and also sent a successful mission to Mercia. Monks from the community of Iona settled on the island. Northumberland's patron saint, Saint Cuthbert, was a monk and later Abbot of the monastery, and his miracles and life are recorded by the Venerable Bede. Cuthbert later became Bishop of Lindisfarne. At some point in the early 700s the famous illuminated manuscript known as the Lindisfarne Gospels, an illustrated Latin copy of the Gospels of Mark, Luke, Matthew and John, was probably made at Lindisfarne. Sometime in the second half of the tenth century a monk named Aldfrith added an Anglo-Saxon (Old English) gloss to the Latin text, producing the earliest surviving Old English copies of the Gospels. The Gospels were illustrated in an insular style containing a fusion of Celtic, Germanic and Roman elements; they were probably originally covered with a fine metal case made by a hermit called Billfrith.<br /><br />Eventually the monks fled the island (taking with them the body of St Cuthbert, which is now buried at the Cathedral in Durham). The bishopric was transferred to Durham in AD 1000. The Lindisfarne Gospels now reside in the British Library in London, somewhat to the annoyance of some Northumbrians. The priory was re-established in Norman times as a Benedictine house and continued until its suppression in 1536 under Henry VIII. It is now a ruin in the care of English Heritage, who also run a museum/visitor centre nearby. The neighbouring parish church (see below) is still in use.<br /><br />Lindisfarne also has the small Lindisfarne Castle, based on a Tudor fort, which was refurbished in the Arts and Crafts style by Sir Edwin Lutyens (who also designed the island's Celtic-cross war-memorial on the Heugh) and has a garden created by Gertrude Jekyll. The castle, garden and nearby limekilns are in the care of the National Trust and open to visitors.<br /><br />Lindisfarne had a large lime burning industry and the kilns are among the most complex in Northumberland. There are still some traces of the jetties by which the coal was imported and the lime exported close by at the foot of the crags. Lime was quarried on the Island and the remains of the wagon way between the quarries and the kilns makes for a pleasant and easy walk. This quarrying flourished in the mid-19th century during the Industrial Revolution when over 100 men were thus employed.<br /><br />Lindisfarne was mainly a fishing community for many years, with farming and the production of lime also of some importance. Tourism grew steadily throughout the twentieth century, and it is now a popular place with visitors — sometimes a little too popular, as space and facilities are limited. By staying on the island while the tide cuts it off (time permitting) the non-resident visitor can experience the island in a much quieter mood, as most day visitors leave when the tide is rising again. It is possible, weather and tide permitting, to walk at low tide across the sands following the older crossing line known as the Pilgrims' Way and marked with posts: it also has refuge boxes for the careless walker, in the same way as the road has a refuge box for those who have left their crossing too late.<br /><br />The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is well known for mead. In the medieval days when the monks inhabited the island, it was thought that if the soul was in God's keeping, the body must be fortified with this elixir of herbs and honey, the wine bequeathed to posterity as Lindisfarne Mead. The monks have long vanished, but their spirit lingers in this aphrodisiac whose exact recipe remains a secret of the family still producing it. Lindisfarne mead is produced at St Aidan's Winery, and sold throughout the UK and elsewhere.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindisfarne">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Holy Island:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span>Holy Island is conveniently located just off the main A1 road. It is about 10 miles south of Berwick upon Tweed.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is Berwick upon Tweed. The station is on the main east coast railway line and is served frequently by trains from London and Newcastle upon Tyne in the south and Edinburgh in the north.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> Arriva Northumbria services 501 and 505 (525 on Sundays and Bank Holidays) run from Newcastle upon Tyne and Berwick upon Tweed past Beal road end (the road leading to the island).<br /><br />Map of area: <a href="http://beta.blogger.com/www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.6712&lon=-1.8021&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a><br /></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-43049819634380753972006-11-03T16:16:00.000+00:002006-12-17T20:25:43.230+00:00Morpeth<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/1600/morpeth%20town%20centre.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/400/morpeth%20town%20centre.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Morpeth town centre.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/1600/river%20wansbeck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/400/river%20wansbeck.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cherry blossom over the River Wansbeck.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Morpeth is one of Northumberland's major market towns and is the administrative centre for the <a href="http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/">County Council</a>. In the town, the Chantry combines a unique Bagpipe Museum with the Northumbrian Craft Centre.<br /><br />The River Wansbeck flows through the centre of the town and provides riverside walks linked to the attractive Carlisle Park. There is also a leisure centre and swimming pool and a good range of shops, restaurants and hotels.<br /><br />The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morpeth_Clock_Tower">clock tower in the town centre</a> is very unusual, being a rare example of a free standing bell tower not connected to any other building, such as church. It still sounds the night curfew at 8 o'clock every evening. The divisions on the clock are also unusual in that there are only four divisions between the hour numbers rather than five as on most clocks and watches. This was because when the clock was first built it only had one hand (the hour hand) and four divisions were thought to be more useful in indicating the quarter and half hours.<br /><br />If you're interested in music and local heritage you might like to visit the <a href="http://www.bagpipemuseum.org.uk/">Chantry Bagpipe Museum</a>. Northumberland is the only county with its own musical instrument, the Northumbrian pipes. This museum follows the development of bagpipes around the world using a unique sound system with personal headphones.<br /><br />The Museum sells a wide range of music for the Northumbrian pipes and also an excellent range of CDs and cassettes.<br /><br />It is also the venue for some important bagpipe events including the Northumbrian Pipers' Society annual competitions which are a key feature of the Northumberland Traditional Music Festival. The museum also adjoins the Northumbria Craft Centre.<br /><br />Another Northumbrian tradition, <a href="http://www.northumberland-cheese.co.uk/">cheese making</a>, can be found at Make Me Rich Farm in nearby Blagdon. Observe the cheese being made by traditional methods and then relax and enjoy free samples in the coffee shop. The <a href="http://www.whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk/">Whitehouse Farm Centre</a> is ideal for an educational family outing. Learn about how a farm works and see guinea pigs, rabbits, chicks, ducks and exotic animals plus pedal tractors, go karts, crafts and cafe.<br /><br />Sport is popular in the town too - Morpeth Town F.C., Morpeth RUFC, the cricket, hockey and tennis club and the golf club all play competitively. The <a href="http://www.morpethharriers.co.uk/">Morpeth Harriers</a> cater for those wishing to compete in athletics. The town also offers opportunities to play sport on a non-competitive basis through facilities such as Carlisle Park, the common and the leisure centre.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morpeth%2C_Northumberland">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia and <a href="http://www.northumberland.gov.uk">Northumberland County Council</a> website.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Morpeth:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span>Morpeth is conveniently located just off the main A1 road. It is about 15 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is Morpeth. The station is on the main east coast railway line and is served frequently by trains from London and Newcastle upon Tyne in the south. Less frequent services run from Edinburgh in the north.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> Arriva Northumbria services 501, 505 and 518 (525 on Sundays and Bank Holidays) run from Newcastle upon Tyne to Morpeth.<br /><br />Map of area: <a href="http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.1687&lon=-1.6875&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a><br /></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-73077641141764322502006-10-22T19:24:00.000+00:002006-12-17T20:22:20.618+00:00Berwick upon Tweed<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/1600/royal1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/400/royal1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Royal Border Bridge across the River Tweed.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/1600/ne_berwickbarracks_02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/400/ne_berwickbarracks_02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Berwick Barracks - home of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Berwick-upon-Tweed (commonly called just Berwick) is the most northerly town in the county of Northumberland and in England. The town has a population of about 12000 and is the administrative capital of <a href="http://www.berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk/">Berwick Borough</a>.<br /><br />Berwick has changed hands several times throughout history. For a period of 300 and more years from the mid 11th century the town was an extremely important strategic asset in the wars between England and Scotland. The architecture of the town reflects its past, in particular in having one of the finest remaining defensive ramparts (of 1555, though much repaired in the late 18th century), and in the Barracks buildings, begun in 1717 and the first such buildings in Britain. Nikolaus Pevsner writes that Berwick is one of the most exciting towns in the country, with scarcely an irritating building anywhere, and the most intricate changes of level.<br /><br />Today the Barracks is maintained by <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/">English Heritage</a> and is the regimental home of the <a href="http://www.kosb.co.uk/">Kings Own Scottish Borderers</a>. The town is also the lowest bridging point of the River Tweed, an important salmon fishery on the England-Scotland border.<br /><br />The Old Bridge, a 15-span sandstone arch bridge measuring 1,164 feet in length, was built between 1610 and 1624. The bridge continues to serve road traffic, in one direction only. The current structure is a Grade I listed. Four previous bridges stood on the site, with two destroyed by flooding (in 1199, the original, and in 1294, the third), one by an English attack in 1216 and the last, built 1376, served until James I of England ordered the construction of the present bridge. It was then on the main road from Edinburgh to London, and the king (who was also James VI of Scotland) had had to cross over the then dilapadated wooden bridge in 1603 while travelling to London for his coronation.<br /><br />The Royal Border Bridge, designed and built under the supervision of Robert Stephenson between 1847 at a cost of £253,000, is a 720-yard-long railway viaduct with 28 arches, carrying the East Coast Main Line 126 feet above the River Tweed. It was opened by Queen Victoria in 1850.<br /><br />The Royal Tweed Bridge, built in 1925 and in its time having the longest concrete span in the country at 361 feet, was originally designed to carry the A1 road across the Tweed; the town now has a road bypass to the west. In the early 2000s, its fabric was renovated, the road and pavement layout amended, and new street lighting was added. Construction work was undertaken by L G Mouchel & Partners, who still operate today (as Mouchel Parkman). The design is of reinforced concrete and consists of four unequal arches.<br /><br />The Union Bridge (five miles upstream), the world's oldest surviving suspension bridge. When it opened in 1820 it was the longest wrought iron suspension bridge in the world with a span of 137 metres (449 ft), and the first vehicular bridge of its type in Britain. Although work started on the Menai Suspension Bridge first, Union Bridge was completed earlier. Today it is the oldest suspension bridge still carrying road traffic.<br /><br />Another quirky part of town's history is the Berwick Parish Church, unique for having been built during the Commonwealth of Oliver Cromwell. The building, constructed around 1650 using stone from the 13th century Castle (parts of which still stand by the railway station), began as a plain preaching box, with no steeple, stained glass or other decorations. Much altered with a conventional interior layout, contents include a pulpit thought to have been built for John Knox during his stay the town.<br /><br />It is unique for an English town in that its football team, <a href="http://www.berwickrangers.co.uk/">Berwick Rangers</a>, plays its matches in the Scottish Football League; owing to the south-west to north-east direction of the border, it is located further north than several Scottish league clubs including Gretna, Queen of the South (Dumfries), Stranraer, Ayr United and Kilmarnock.<br /><br />If you are interested in history, architecture and like the fresh sea breeze Berwick is an ideal place to visit.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berwick_Upon_Tweed">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Berwick:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span>Berwick is conveniently located just off the main A1 road. It is about 60 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne and 90 miles south of Edinburgh.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is Berwick upon Tweed. The station is on the main east coast railway line and is served frequently by trains from London and Newcastle upon Tyne in the south and Edinburgh in the north.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> Arriva Northumbria services 501 and 505 (525 on Sundays and Bank Holidays) runs from Newcastle upon Tyne via Morpeth, Alnwick, the North-Northumberland coast up to Berwick. Travelsure service 23 links Kelso in the Scottish Borders and Berwick. Perrymans service 253 links Edinburgh and Berwick.<br /><br />Map of area: <a href="http://beta.blogger.com/www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.7713&lon=-2.0064&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a><br /></div><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536661297790360650.post-89368436744459872192006-10-13T10:55:00.000+00:002006-12-17T20:20:43.537+00:00Prudhoe<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/1600/prudhoe%20castle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7242/65510412327924/400/prudhoe%20castle.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Prudhoe Castle stands guard over the River Tyne.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prudhoe is a small town in the southern part of the English county of Northumberland in the district of Tynedale, close to the border with Tyne and Wear and just south of the River Tyne. Prudhoe is officially the largest town in Tynedale with a population of over 11,500. Perched on the steep southern slopes of the Tyne Valley, <a href="http://www.prudhoe.org/">Prudhoe</a> has for centuries had a strategic role. <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/">Prudhoe Castle</a> was erected in the 12th century and overs the river, the town has grown in importance around it. Today, industry plays a major part in Prudhoe's economy. Prudhoe has two large factories - SCA Hygiene (formerly Kimberly-Clark) which makes paper products such as tissues at their Prudhoe Mill factory, and Hammerite Products, an ICI owned factory producing paints for Cuprinol, Hammerite and various brands as well as thinning products. Waterworld, a leisure pool, provides a relaxing which brings a relaxing tropical feel for the townsfolk. The Tyne Riverside Country Park follows the river's edge and a former railway line across a bridge which might be familiar to residents of Sydney and Newcastle.<br /></div><br />The gatehouse, curtain wall and keep are all that remain of the castle, which is owned and maintained by <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/">English Heritage</a>.<br /><br />Article adapted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prudhoe">Wikipedia</a> online encyclopedia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to get to Prudhoe:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By road:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span>Prudhoe is conveniently located just off the main A69 road, about 10 miles west of Newcastle upon Tyne.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By rail: </span>The nearest station is Prudhoe. Connecting rail services are available from Carlisle in the west and Newcastle upon Tyne in the east.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By bus:</span> The Carlisle-Newcastle service, route 685, operates via Prudhoe on weekdays. On Sundays service 85 operates hourly from Newcastle Eldon Square to Prudhoe. Services X85 and 185 also operate between Newcastle and Prudhoe but these services are very infrequent. Check bus times before travelling.<br /></div><br />Map of area: <a href="http://beta.blogger.com/www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.9622&lon=-1.8473&scale=200000&icon=x">CLICK HERE</a><br /><br /><script language="Javascript" src="http://pub.oxado.com/insert_ad?pub=46648" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com