Monday 7th August
We went to Brinkburn Priory today. It was sunny and warm and the Priory was as beautiful and tranquil as we remembered it from last visit!





Afterwards we drove to Warkworth Castle where we had a picnic. I had fun looking through windows at the view and then trying to under-expose to get the detail in the window surrounds as well as outside!
Afterwards we hired a boat on the river for an hour and both Phil and Kate rowed very well. Walked around Warkworth Village and had coffee. On the way back we stopped in Rothbury and bought sausages at the good butchers there - Simonside Sizzlers and Cragside Cracklers LOL.

Tuesday 8th August
We went to Belsay House, Castle and gardens for a relaxing day wandering around the estate. We watched a game of croquet which was interesting even though we didn't understand it! I have some birthday cards and a very mysterious parcel waiting for me back at the cottage!!


Wednesday 9th August - MY BIRTHDAY!!

I can't help being childishly excited on my birthdays! Phil had got up early to take photos of the sunrise but Gerry texted me at 7 am and T rang me around 8 am for a lovely chat. P eventually got home and I opened my cards and presents. I had a beautiful and extravagant box of chocs from T! Then my parents in law phoned.
After bacon sandwiches for breakfast we went to Alnwick Gardens. The Treehouse was a bit of a letdown - unfriendly staff and we totally failed to get served in the cafe! we enjoyed the cascades and the gardens and especially the poison garden, the sculpture garden and the bamboo maze.We had a special birthday meal in the Anglers Arms. A really happy day!! I was given a beautiful Radley bag, purse and make-up case plus a protective case for my MP3 player and the Nigella Lawson book "Feast".