Thursday, 17 August 2023

Bamburg Castle

ON the way back to Edinburgh from camping, we stopped at Bamburg castle which is the place where the Lost Kingdom was set as Uhtred's home, Bebbanburg. We have both watched the series so figured why not? 
The castle is set on a gorgeous beach (though we were much too lazy to walk down), and they had a costume display from the series. 
Honestly it was nice but there wasn't as much there as I was expecting. The views were great and well worth it, though we were a little cautious on the battlements are the wind was still insanely strong.  



View from the castle













Uhtred's costume











 It was a nice little stop but we were both happy to get home and unload the car and have proper showers. I still need to pack the tent back up but for that, I need a dry and not windy day, and frankly I live in Edinburgh so I am still waiting. 

Camping

In July, Caroline and I went camping for the first time. I have camped next to my parents caravan but this would be the first time alone and Caroline's first time at all. I loved it. Not so sure about Caroline.
We left work early on the Friday and travelled down to just outside Bamburg in Northumberland. And of course it was absolutely throwing it down when we get there so we were quite wet after we had put the tent up. But we had a tarp for over the front so we sat there drying off and watching the rain with a bottle of wine and then Pimms. 

The next day was sunnier but really windy!


We managed to cook ourselves a very nice breakfast (thank god for the wind guard).


As we were camped only a couple minutes walk from the beach, we decided to go and chill no the beach. The idea was sound and the pictures make it look idyllic.









What you can't tell is the wind. We had put sunscreen on and within seconds were like sugar coated donuts! We got absolutely sandblasted. I was finding sand in my ears for a day or 2. We weren't the only people on the beach though. We ended up back at the tent taking cover between the tent and the car with a bag of nachos for lunch and reading and napping for the rest of the day.

We were going to try a BBQ on the evening as I have a portable BBQ pit I have been wanting to try for ages. But we figures hot embers and high gale force winds (we were one of the only tents still standing - thank you Vango!) were not a great idea so ended up walking into the nearby village and finding a pub for a lovely dinner.

Village church

Feeling windswept.

On the sunday we headed home via Bamburg castle, looking windswept and with a sand exfoliated skin. I definitely want to go camping again, but it might take some convincing to get someone to go with me. 
 

Animals

Over the last few months I have been spending as much time as possible with friends pets. 

Sister's cat, Barney


I really want a dog but my landlord is not keen so I have joined BorrowMyDoggy and have multiple dogs I now either look after sometimes during the day or take for walks.

Bim likes his cuddles...
... and his naps

                                         

Nico is just a puppy so very active ...

... until he flakes out

Little Ellie

The back of Teddy's head.

Blurred Teddy


Another blurred teddy - the nutter is rarely still

Belle like a walk and nose about


Or telling me to stop working.

Teddy being photogenic! :) 

scotch whiskey experience

For Reece's birthday in July we went to the Scotch Whiskey Experience. We had a lovely lunch at the restaurant first before doing the whiskey tour. The initial tasting room was nice but the whiskey display room was very impressive. There were thousands of unopened bottle of whiskey on display.



Enjoying a wee dram

Reece was impressed. Honest




After the display room, we had the rest of the tasting in another room with some very nice whiskeys (and one not so nice one.)