Holy Island (from a distance)

In October we took a little overnight jaunt to Northumberland in which it rained and rained and rained and rained.  We visited Bamburgh Castle, solidly built looking out over the North Sea.  We couldn't see a thing on the day we visited, and KJ's desire to drive out to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne was vetoed by me that day, as I thought we would just be wet and miserable and longing to get dry the entire time we were there.  

Happily, as we were driving toward Scotland yesterday (an unexpected Christmas trip inspired on Thursday after being offered free accommodations near Loch Lomond over Christmas) and passed through Northumberland the sun broke through from behind the clouds and all of a sudden everything was beautiful.  From the road we traveled on we could look over and see Bamburgh Castle and then Holy Island as well, sitting not far off the coast the castle was clearly illuminated in the sun.  The tide was in so there was no way (or time) to drive to the island, but we took a quick side road (a one lane road between two pastures) and drove until it ended right at the North Sea.

We quickly got out and put on wellies, hats, and coats to walk out on the marshy flatlands, feeling so grateful for a glimpse of what we missed in October.

I didn't even realize how close we were when we were at Bamburgh.  We could see it from where we stopped, too.

Perhaps one day we'll make it out to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne proper, but for now, we were all happy with our little pit stop.

Bamburgh Castle

When we went to Northumberland at the beginning of the month we had two castles we planned to visit.  Bamburgh Castle sits right on the North Sea, and we looked forward to ocean views, but alas, the second day of our trip was filled with a constant rain as well.  The mist obscured the ocean, but it couldn't obscure the castle as it is absolutely massive!  The rain prevented me from taking pictures outside the castle, but you might enjoy this very cool bird's eye view.

Bamburgh is truly an ancient place where people have lived for a very long time.  Someone at some point was an avid coin collector, and I enjoyed seeing the old American money.  The penny has certainly gotten smaller!

The great hall was truly breathtaking.

They encouraged you to use mirrors to look at the ceiling, but you still found yourself looking up.

This room...I don't think anything could be more perfect than this room.

The packet for the kids at Bamburgh was almost as massive as the castle itself.  When asked which castle he liked best, James voted for Alnwick because "there was so much work to do" at the other one.  James may not realize that the activities are optional, but they definitely keep the kids occupied so I can wander and take pictures, and KJ has time to read any plaques or descriptions of things.

The stairs led to the part of the house that is occupied.  The wood paneling was really beautiful.  

Ella was a bit freaked out by the arms holding the lanterns in this billiards room.

Aren't those floors gorgeous?

Tapestries and crossbows, everything that makes a castle a castle.  And we caught a few glimpses out the windows before heading down to the dungeon of sorts.

Massive is the best adjective to describe so many things about this castle, including the chains and keys!

I always think of my mom when I'm in the kitchens of places like this.  There's something really beautiful about an old kitchen.  I really like the old drain stoppers.

I snapped a few quick pictures with my phone as we walked back out.  And after a hot lunch in the tea rooms we decided to skip out on our last stop and head for home and dry clothes.

Alnwick Castle

Every country has those places that aren't pronounced the way they're spelled (Arkansas, anyone?), and Alnwick is one of those for England.  You have to pretend like the "l" and the "w" aren't there and say, "An-ick."

After enjoying a summer with long days and mild temperatures we feel very aware of winter's approach and the season of bundling up before going outside.  KJ had some Expedia hotel points to use and some places he wanted to take us in Northumberland, the county north of Yorkshire, so we took a little overnight trip.  We've been really fortunate in so many of our days out to have absolutely gorgeous weather, and we were unconsciously expecting it for this trip, too.  But a couple of days before we planned to leave the forecast was for rain all the day long.  

Driving into Alnwick

I must confess I was not in the best of moods.  I was disappointed in the constant rain, and I was nursing my first cold of the season.  I had to keep praying for a happy heart.

Working on it!

I always love a good castle door.

I was also definitely disappointed in not being able to take many pictures with my good camera.  It was too wet to do anything but whip out our phones quickly every now and again.  The castle is really a beautiful one.

This grassy area was used to film the first broomstick-flying scene in the first Harry Potter movie. When it's not raining the castle offers Broomstick Training for kids.

Last year's Christmas episode of Downton Abbey was also filmed here.  You might recognize this little courtyard.

We were able to tour the State Rooms, and they were just lovely, as you can imagine.  But no pictures allowed, of course, because it is still a private home.  Alnwick has a lot of fun activities for kids, including a Knight's Quest that also had to be moved under shelter from the rain.

Ella didn't want to dress up, but James took advantage of the opportunity.

He killed that guy for sure.

He also took care of that dragon.  Ella made a clay medallion, and we spent some time in the gift shop before heading to our next stop.  We really hope to return on a clearer day, because you can see it's really lovely!  KJ got out and took these shots with my camera on our way out when the rain slowed a bit.