Tuesday 21 October

 The cyclone that was to hit the west coast arrived and made its way down the east coast. We could hardly stand up when we went out the door, so there was no walking this morning.

In our travels over the last few days we have come across some lovely towns and one of them was Alnwick. One of the main attractions to Tim was one of the largest second had book shop that was called Baxter books and was built into the old Alnwick station and all the carriages were made into rooms with fires and places to sit and have coffee

It was a very pleasant spot and Tim was in heaven . 

The range was incredible but so were the prices so I am surprised that they can sell anything . Needless so say we just had a coffee in front of the fire looked around and left!

Walking  around the town was lovely with tiny side alleys of intrigue. All the houses are built in stone. There are a lot of charity shops that sell quality items and Tim was able to pick up a tweed jacket for  £5, so was very chuffed, I got a nice summer dress and a few things for the grand kids of course.

We had great discussion as to where to have lunch, I was opting for a  nice pub of which we had a choice that surrounded us but was out voted and it was agreed to have lunch at the national trust restaurant at Cragside

                                                                           Lovely spot to eat but shocking food, so I win for tomorrow! Yeh, probably won't be able to find one,I have only had 3 pub meals so very disappointing!

Cragside was built by William George Armstrong  who was a scientist and technical innovator of genius and one of the most successful industrialist of his time. It was here that water power was first used to provide electricity in 1878- the first hydro - electricity. They had 

The prince and the princess of Wales came to visit so she made this room which took 1 1/2 years

The fireplace is made out of marble 300 tons and it is all etched and imported from Italy. The prince of Wales was astonished at he lights as he was still using last s and candles.

The house was beautiful and so liveable

                                         The estate is 1000 acres and we could drive around it. There is is a river flowing through it and beautiful gardens

jUne offered to take a photo of Tim and I together but she wanted to be part of it as well, now I know where TIm gets his prowess in photography , like mother like son! Aghhh.i think there was a beautiful top floor of the building I was try to capture, oh well.

                                                                                                         

Meandered back to about little house and ventured to make a roast dinner with 2 trays, quite a challenge as it burnt the things on top . We do I do a roast in an unfamiliar oven! Still it was tasty even if it was nearly bed time by the time we ate.