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" Four Nights at Beadnell "

Date & start time: Sunday / Monday  15th / 16th September 2013.

Location of Start : The Beach Court B&B, Beadnell, Northumberland, Uk ( NU 237 286)

Places visited : Beadnell Harbour and beach walk round to Snook Point.

Walk details :   5.8 mls, negligible ft of ascent, 4 hours including a tea break.

Highest point : Probably that bridge over the river !

Walked with : Garry, Ann and the dogs, Badger, Cleo, Harry and Bethan.

Weather : Fine but windy with some cloud.

" Four Nights at Beadnell " at EveryTrail
 

[ Alter the settings to zoom or change the Map, use Everytrail to download the Gps route ]

 

We left Cumbria on the Sunday morning of the first Autumnal gales . . . it was wet and windy to say the least !

By the time we had crossed the Pennines and reached Beadnell on the east coast, the sun had come out and it shone for the next three days.

We had driven out of the storm that beset the Tour of Britain Cycle Race and had found good weather for our four-night holiday.

. . . and where better to spend it than at the seaside . . . The Beach Court Bed and Breakfast

That's our room . . . the one with the tower !

From the windows of our suite . . . it was more than a bedroom . . . there was a great view of the beach.

The tower would be part of our domain for four nights . . .
. . . accommodation with a flock of white doves included.
   
'Quirky and comfortable' as the website describes it.
Anyone for a trip around the lighthouse ?

After unloading our bags and saying hello (again) to Carole and Russ

we took the chance to enjoy the early evening sunshine . . . just a short walk from the door.

Beadnell Lime Kilns back onto the harbour which still has a small active fishing fleet. 

The lobster pots were drying on the edge of the wall, ready to be loaded for another trip out into the bay.

The area historically has had both coal mine and limestone quarries . . . which gave rise to the building of the large lime kilns.

The resultant quick lime from the firings was used as a agricultural fertiliser, neutralising the acid soils and thereby increasing productivity.

They were in full production in the early 1800's, so are nearly two hundred years old.

Time for a walk along the beach to stretch the legs.

Long shadows for Ann as the sun sets . . . Bethan running around enjoying the wide open spaces.

There's plenty of beach . . . walk as far as you want . . . it is all dog friendly.

With an offshore breeze the sea is calm but the wind is whipping the tops off the small waves.

The dry sand from the top of the beach scurries past, giving the beach surface that 'out of focus' look.

After walking to the centre of the bay, it was time to turn around and return as we were all in need of an evening meal.

The sailing cruisers are moored up outside the harbour but still receive protection from the open sea.

In the background, Dunstanburgh Castle stands out on a distant headland.  That would be a walk for another day.

" Hocus Pocus " in colour.

One of the classic east coast fishing Cobles . . .
. . . and a more modern crabbing boat in the harbour.

"I do love to be beside the seaside "

The opportunities for different photography are plentiful . . . and we can relax too !

Let's go inside and unpack.

The dining room . . . a place for great breakfasts.
ARUK The Bear (Arthritis UK) with his Great North Run Medal.

Carol and her son Christian had both taken part in the Great North Run in Newcastle earlier today.

The half-marathon event attracted 55,000 people and is now firmly established as Britain’s biggest participation event.

Both completed the course but the teddy only got to wear one medal . . . Carole's !

The downstairs reception room has a beautiful piano which Carole plays.

A short but interesting walk along the landing . . .
. . . to where our bedroom awaits.

Hope the dogs don't get any ideas from the little one sleeping on the bed !

Our room includes a seating area, Jacuzzi bathroom and behind the screen . . .

A spiral staircase to the tower room.

It has spectacular views over the bay.

. . . and of the setting sun in the west.

[ Thought:  Beadnell harbour has the distinction of being the only west facing harbour on the east coast of England.]

Supper time . . . and the Craster Arms Hotel and Restaurant was calling.

- - - o o o - - -

Next morning . . . . and it is wall-to-wall sunshine again.

. . . or should that be 'ceiling to floor' sunshine ?
A brief outing for myself and the dogs before breakfast.

Ten o'clock . . . and Gary had arranged to join us from Teesdale.  With him were his two dogs, Badger and Cleo.   

The weather was still windy and slightly more overcast than earlier this morning as we set off along the beach.

Together the three of us strolled and chatted, but this walk would not be dictated by the clock . . . we had all day.

At the river we took to the bridge as the crossing was too deep to wade across.

A wide photo for the wide bridge over the estuary of Tughall Burn.

A well maintained local footbridge.
On the beach a set of old wartime invasion barriers.

The four dogs all enjoyed chasing for sticks . . . the problem was that there were more dogs than sticks on this stretch of beach.

At the southern end of Beadnell Bay we turned round and realised how far we had walked.

That's Beadnell harbour all the way over there . . . time flies . . . we must have been talking all the way.

Gary and Ann on the end of the grass at Snook Point.

The next small bay to the right was called Football Hole . . . I wonder where that name came from ?

This late in the summer we were surprised to see some sea pinks (thrift) still in bloom.

If only the wind would ease slightly this could pass as a Greek Island.

At the head of the beach near the river we passed by a huge bank of purple flowering plants.

Obviously salt-tolerant as they were living wholly on the sand dunes.

It is possibly one of the family of Samphire plants.

This one is definitely Samphire . . . an edible plant common on the bays and estuaries of England.

After being bought in the shops it can be lightly boiled or steamed and served in a similar way to asparagus.

Back over the bridge and heading back to Beadnell Harbour and our accommodation.

It's a beautiful day so what's the rush.

The tide has come in since we started . . . I don't think Gary's noticed that last wave.

Beach Court and the Lime Kilns . . . two distinctive landmarks of the area.

Gary had parked in the main beach car park (there's no public parking by the harbour)

so we walked up the launching ramp and found a little refreshment trailer selling cups of tea and light refreshments . . . spot on !

It was a great walk, nearly six miles all the way along the beach and back.

We said our goodbyes to Gary and headed back to the harbour.

By the time Ann and I arrived back at the quay the tide certainly was full in.

Another fishing boat was in the harbour and the classic Coble was well afloat.

Time for another photo of those lobster pots.

Time passes . . . so I walk out again for a sunset shot from the same spot.

Slightly more cloud tonight . . .
. . . but that just adds to the atmosphere of the photo.

It was after seven in the evening but this chap was still out walking his dog . . . as we thought about where to eat tonight.

- - - o o o - - -

And so to dinner in Seahouses . . . at the best Pizza House in town . . . Elan Pizzeria

Think 'cordon-bleu of the pizza world' and you'll begin to understand what a great place it was.

Time now to plan tomorrow's walk.

- - - o o o - - -

 

Technical note: Pictures taken with either Ann's Canon Sureshot SX220, or my Canon 1100D SLR digital camera.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . a nine inch dinner plate and some cutlery.

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Previous walk - 7th September 2013 - 24 Peaks  Water Aid ~ High Stile

A previous time up here - 24th to 29th September 2006 Beadnell and the Northumberland Coast

Next walk - 17th September 2013 - Bamburgh Bay Walk