Bongo Blog - The Bongo Goes North

Sunshine? Yes... sunshine!

Time to get the bikes out. 608km to date and the next few would be by bike.

We cycled out along the coast road to Seahouses. The ribbon development along the main road didn't detract too much from the view. We swooped down to the harbour all hot and sweaty after our huge 2 mile cycle ride... that's tough for us unfit ones.

About 15 minutes later we were members of the National Trust and heading out on a boat trip to the Farne Isles. This little trip is a most pleasing journey, as our boat chugged along with the swell. We pulled round the inner islands and then out right to the far point of the group to the Longhouse Lighthouse... made famouse by Grace Darling. Saw seals and Shags and thats about it... the Puffins were all gone. We had a hour on St Cuthberts Island, then headed back to the harbour and our landing stage. We rescued the bikes from the fishermans shed we had been told to leave them in.

Then we headed out further to Bamburgh Castle. This imposing castle sits on top of a rocky outcrop surrounded by sand dunes. The sand dunes are relatively new in comparison with the rock... but then so is the castle. Much of it is a victorian rebuild. As with most castles and stately homes there is a vast collection of stuff. China mostly in this case. Some very delicate bit and bobs too, and of course weapons. But for me the facinating thing about this particular castle is the Armstrong museum. All bits of mechanical gubbings squashed into the old laundry. The building itself is interesting being a big old working building, but the collection of bits of mechanical stuff we facinating, if you are into that sort of thing. There were bits of hydraulic systems and cranes and pumps. Also bits of aircraft and military stuff. After a cup of tea we headed back along the coast road to Seahouses.

We stopped for a pint in the Olde Shippe Inn as I think its called. A very charming bar serving well kept beers and the like. The bar is along a narrow passage, with small rooms to the side, and lots of sense of place stuff everywhere. The nets and old bits of polished brass are exactly what you would expect in a seaside harbour pub.

The final 2 miles back to camp were exciting and probably close to being illegal. I am sure it is an offence to be incharge of a bike whilst drunk... fortunately and unfortunately I was neither. The fresh air and cycling took its toll as we crashed into bed before 11... must be a Bongo record. Once again the sound of the sea crashing on the shore sent us off to sleep.

Andrew

Day 1 saw the van heading north through the rolling green hills of the Brecon Beacons from the side of Pen-y-Fan where we live. We took the motorway out to Malvern, past the VanFest site. We were accompanied by a multitude of VW busses and the like. Our destination was due to be Morley... though for a short time we thought it was going to be a night on the motorway as the traffic was at a standstill. In the heat a campervan had exploded and an intense blaze stopped the traffic. We drove slowly past the scene about an hour later... still smouldering but very deffinately not going anywhere.

Hot and dusty we made it to Morley and overnighted with my folks.

DaY 2 and it was time to hit the road once more. This time taking the A1 north from Leeds we passed quickly throught hte urban sprawl and were in open countryside within minutes. Hard to think that Leeds is such a developed city yet so close the landscape changes to rural. We kept heading north through the vale of York, onwards past Newcastle finally slowing to visit Alnwick, one of those rare northern towns with a range of shops selling everything still. A quick stock up there and onwards to our final resting place for the night, the Northumbrian coast. We rolled onto a grassy site next to the main road, and the sea. The grassy sanddunes kept the worst of the sea breeze away. Beadnell Bay is a quiet village with a lovelly small harbour, the only west facing harbour on the east coast... though I can think of at least 2 other locations to make simialr claims. The old lime kilns are undergoing some preservation work but other than that the village appears to be a mix of old folks homes, sheltered housing, holiday lets and some modern housing. Some interesting art deco properties and some appalling interwar housing too. The bland modern stuff at least is hidden from view. We settled down to a BBQ supper, with some tasty local sausages and burgers, and a slab each of chicken. All washed down with Cherry Beer... yum.

We settled down to sleep with the sound of waves crashing in our ears and the sea gulls squarking.

Androo