Tag Archives: seaside

Pets, Places to visit, seaside, travel, walks, wildlife

Northumberland Coast Break.

June 12, 2025 shazza 31 Comments

For the first time, we headed to the Northumberland Coast for a four night break. Beautiful Northumberland is famed for it’s golden beaches, coastal castles and quaint fishing villages. I couldn’t wait to explore.

Our base was Low Hauxley, a small seaside hamlet near Amble By The Sea. We were close to the Northumberland Coast Path and walked on the sand with our labrador Hugo everyday. We were very nearby ( a 20 minute walk) Hauxley Discovery Centre & Nature Reserve and just over the water is Coquet Island Seabird Sanctuary. My Merlin app had never been so busy!

Amble.

It’s a 45 minute stroll along the coast path from Low Hauxley into the small harbour town of Amble By The Sea . Fresh fish is caught and brought in daily , to be sold at the various restaurants & fresh seafood centre. We had a lovely meal at The Old Boat House in the harbour village.

Wil enjoys dinner at The Old Boat House.

Amble Harbour Village is a collection of cute wooden retail pods that contain various shops selling everything from nautical gifts to leather goods to sea glass jewellery. Local pies and cheeses aren’t forgotten about either. And the coffee at Mocha Mondo is best enjoyed whilst watching the world ( and the Eider Ducks! ) float by.

Puffin Cruises set out daily from Amble harbour( weather permitting ) to Coquet Island. The one-hour round trip takes passengers to witness the islands resident seal colony and seabird sanctuary. Happily we had hit the timing just right as rafts of puffins return in Spring for breeding season. 😊 I was so happy to witness puffins, guillemot, eiders, fulmar, terns , gannets and grey Seals from the boat. The excursions are dog and family friendly.

Amble has been known as ‘ The Friendliest Port ‘ since the 1930s, when Amble Council sent a telegram to the captain of the Mauretania on its final journey before getting dismantled, describing the passing ship as ‘ still the finest on the high seas’. The Mauretania replied ‘ Thank you to the last and friendliest Port in England’. A 1930s themed Mauretania day is apparently celebrated annually in July.

Other things to do in friendly Amble include….

Search for 12 quirky bird art instillations on the Amble Art Trail.

Head to Spurrelli Ice 🍨 cream parlour for a delicious Knickerbocker Glory.

Admire the colourful Beach huts on Little Shore Beach.

Amble alongside the River Coquet to Warkwath Castle.

Warkworth.

The marvellous medieval Warkworth Castle looks out over the ancient village of Warkworth. Looked after by English Heritage, the castle was once the residence of the powerful Percy’s, the Earls and Dukes of Northumberland. An interactive tour guides visitors around the impressive ruins.

In Warkworth itself there are a scattering of boutiques, cafes and restaurants. I can recommend Bertram’s for brunch and the castle is a great place to explore. Both welcome four-legged friends. We didn’t visit the beach but apparently it’s a lovely one. Your spoiled for choice for perfect beaches in Northumberland.

Alnmouth.

If you wish to walk or cycle , the charming village of Alnmouth is connected to Warkworth by the Northumberland Coast Path. Otherwise, there’s a large carpark by the shore with a £3-50 charge for the day. Over the years coastal erosion has revealed WWII defences including tank traps on the beach, it’s quite the interesting place for a seaside stroll. Little Alnmouth experienced sporadic bombs during the war, so it’s no wonder the village braced itself for German invasion.

Alnmouth is home to England’s 4th Oldest Golf Club at Foxton Bay, with views across the North Sea to Coquet Island and beyond. The village also has a pretty high street with various pubs, deli, shops and cafes. And a short walk to the outskirts of Alnmouth brought us to the The Old School Gallery for tea , cake and yep , I couldn’t resist a bit of holiday gift shopping. Well, gifts for me, that is….😁

The cutest place to visit in Alnmouth has got to be The Ferry-mans Hut looking out over the estuary. The unassuming wooden shed is actually Northumberland’s smallest museum! Back in the 1900s locals and visitors were rowed over the river to access the sandy beach on the other side of the Aln. Today the bijou hut features photos and memorabilia about the village and there is a sweet little book swap located next to it.😘

Boulmer.

After a morning in Alnmouth we headed to the next coastal settlement Boulmer, pronounced Boomer. This peaceful fishing village is home to The Fishing Boat Inn and I was so glad we managed to find an outside table. Look at those sea views! If you have a dog with you like us, you will have to walk along the beach to the back of the pub and sit out on the terrace, as pooches aren’t allowed inside. But this was no hardship on a sunny day.

Several fields of Lacy Phacelia on the outskirts of Boulmer.

On the outskirts of Boulmer I noticed fields and fields of purple. Turns out they were planted with ‘ Lacy Phacelia ‘ a top soil conditioning crop. The effect was certainly striking and I couldn’t resist climbing over a gate to take some photos. Unfortunately I then got stung by a wasp. 🙈 Phacelia certainly attracts the pollinators……

Bamburgh.

25 miles North of Amble is the beautiful coastal village of Bamburgh. Dominated by it’s magnificently imposing Castle , Bamburgh is a lovely settlement of pretty cottages, shops, pubs & cafes , adjacent to a delightful village green. Bamburgh Castle tells a fascinating history, having been a Royal Residence, an 18th Century Coast Guard Station and the home of the innovative Armstrong family since the Victorian age. In recent years the castle has appeared in the television series The Last Kingdom and the film Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny.

To be honest the day we visited was meant to be cool and rainy ( Hugo’s favourite weather! ) but the forecast foxed us, the sun came out, and it suddenly became too hot for our aging black labrador. So our time in Bamburgh was all too short.

I did manage a very quick nosey around the free RNLI Grace Darling Museum situated on Radcliffe Road. The small exhibition is interesting, informative and packed full of memorabilia. Grace was a plucky lighthouse keepers daughter who became a reluctant celebrity after helping her father rescue several shipwreck survivors, rowing them to safety through stormy seas. Included in the exhibits are Grace’s black cloak, a light up model of Longstone Lighthouse where the Darling family lived & worked and the Coble boat used in the dramatic rescue.

I absolutely loved the Northumberland Coast and hope it’s not too long before we venture there again. 💙💙

events, lancashire, Places to visit, seaside, vintage, wildlife

Vintage By The Sea.

September 2, 2023 shazza 34 Comments

As time goes by Vintage By The Sea, Morecambe’s annual celebration of all things vintage & retro, is going from strength to strength. I last visited the festival way back in 2015, so feeling a bit vintage myself now. 😆

The town is looking bright & breezy, this homage to nostalgia ( we Brits love our nostalgia! ) is really in keeping with Morecambe’s beautiful seafront, much of the action taking place in and around the elegant & curvaceous Art Deco Midland Hotel on the promenade.

I visited with friends today ( the first Saturday in September) , this free family friendly festival continues tommorrow. And I’m assured it’s going to be another gorgeous Summers day in Lancashire….

We ended our visit with a quiet drink in nearby Heysham and a wander up to the Rock Cut Graves by St Patrick’s Chapel, that featured on the cover of a Black Sabbath album.

blogging, lake district, lancashire, Pets, Places to visit, seaside, travel, walks

2022 ~ My Year In Photos.

December 28, 2022 shazza 41 Comments

And so my tenth year of blogging ends!

I think I have blogged a little less this year. 2022 has been mostly lovely but not incredibly eventful. However it has been a happy one and a healthy one , so I shan’t complain at all!

January. The year started with Wil and I both getting covid , though luckily it wasn’t too bad an experience for either of us. Before that we did manage a day by the sea in Lytham above.

February. 2022 has been the first year that we have managed to get up to our caravan in Cumbria , whenever we have liked. Our first ever winter weekend was spent there in February. I especially liked visiting nearby Dalemain Manor and seeing their pretty snowdrop display.

March. Hugo made a friend in Bulgarian Shepherd Dog ‘ Rhea ‘ this year, so I’m including a photo of them both looking gorgeous together in March. Our Labrador hasn’t many doggy Pals, as he tends to dislike whole boy dogs, mostly ignores females, is scared of small dogs and is besotted by greyhounds. He’s a bit wierd!

April. Spring started out well for us concerning Wainwright Fells, as we climbed both Dodd and Binsey above, but then our fell walks petered out. Hopefully we will do better in 2023.

May. Looking back at May, I think my favourite bit was when we went E Biking at Lowther Castle 🏰, which I won in a raffle. I would love an e – bike, but they are sooo expensive. If you huff and puff ( or simply get off the bike, like me) when you cycle up a hill, have a go on an e-bike. Game changer!

June and July. 2022 has been the start of my besties reaching their big 50s. Yikes! Definitely an excuse for a party or drinks out. These epic birthdays will continue into next year and the year after, so plenty more celebrations to come. 💖

August. It was great to spend a holiday as a family in August. My sister’s kids are growing up too fast for my liking, so it was nice to enjoy holiday time with them in Ayrshire, Scotland with my Mum and brother too.

September. September is always a month when I don’t really want those sun rays of Summer to end. I remember us having a nice day out in and around Grasmere with Hugo, above.

October. Spending a few days away on the Yorkshire Coast was a highlight for us in October. I haven’t even got round to blogging about it yet ( naughty me ) but here’s a photo of Whitbys iconic abbey, all lit up for Halloween 🎃.

November. November is my birthday month. Wil took me away for a weekend in lovely Grange-over-sands and my friends and I went to the new local Duck Pin Bowling Range at Holmes Mill.

Finding snow…..in the fells above the caravan.

December. I would have enjoyed December alot more if I hadn’t caught a flu bug, but feeling much better now. After Christmas we found snow in the fells above the caravan. Simple pleasures. ❄️

What has 2023 got in store……..

I’m hoping that I will have much to blog about. Plenty of Lancashire and Cumbrian walks. A holiday in quirky accommodation in Scotland. A long weekend in a European country.

Thanks for checking out my blog this year and here’s to an amazing 2023. X

Pets, Places to visit, seaside, travel, wildlife

Great Cumbrae ~ Scotland’s most accessible Island. 🏝️

September 13, 2022 shazza 35 Comments

Did you know that there is an island off the West Coast of Scotland that is only a 10 minute ferry crossing from the mainland? Great Cumbrae is one of two islands known as The Cumbraes, they lie between the island of Bute and the seaside town of Largs in North Ayrshire. Little or Wee Cumbrae can be accessed from its larger cousin Great Cumbrae, but it is Great Cumbrae aka The Isle Of Cumbrae that I am visiting today.

Calmac Ferries run ferries every 15 minutes to the island from Largs. And tourists have been travelling over to the seaside resort of Millport on Great Cumbrae for decades. In fact some thirty odd years ago my Uncle Tommy and Auntie Joyce took my family over and we cycled around the Island. We have some happy memories of that time and I’ve always hoped to repeat the experience. So when my sister booked us a family holiday nearby, an island visit was definitely on our itinerary.

The 10 minute crossing was quick and efficient. We went as foot passengers, but you can take your car along too. Many people travel with their bicycles and dogs are welcome on board. You don’t have to book, but you can if you like. Here’s the Calmac Website for guidance.

Once on the island there are buses waiting to transport travellers the 4 mile journey into Millport if they so desire. Most of Great Cumbraes inhabitants live in the pretty coastal town , which curves around an attractive bay.

Millport has a couple of well stocked Bicycle Hire Shops on the main Street , so if your interested in riding around the island, you are spoilt for choice. As for the journey round?? Well it’s a 10 Mile mostly flat route that hugs the coastline. Perfect for a family outing!

Now, we always knew it was probably going to be difficult getting Mum on a bike. She’s In her seventies, with a dodgy knee, I don’t think we all quite thought the logistics through. Especially as Mum hasn’t actually ridden one in over 50 years. And looking back to our trips to Cumbrae, Mum never actually ventured out with us on a bike, even then. Ooops! As determined as poor Mum was to cycle out of Millport , it wasn’t to be. I ended up volunteering to look around the town with her, whilst the others pedalled away. Wil too had forgone the bike ride, to take our dog Hugo for a walk instead. That was my fault though, as I had suddenly jibbed out of putting H into a doggy daycare in Largs. Over-protective Dog Parenting issues…….

Mum and I took a walk along the promenade and a rather grand looking piece of architecture struck our interest. The 18th Century Garrison House was built to house The Captain and officers of Revenue Ship ‘ The Royal George ‘ which was stationed at Millport, The Royal George played a part in catching smugglers that frequented the area. Today the impressive building contains a Doctor’s Surgery, Council Offices, Library, Cafe, Shop and Museum , it’s quite a hub for the community. Mum and I had a quick look in the Museum and around the pretty sunken garden.

Who knew Valentine cards could be so vicious ! Vinegar Valentines featured in the museum…

Another building that we noticed in Millport was The Wedge. Though this abode on Stuart Street is definitely a blink and you’d miss it type of place ! The frontage of the skinny terrace is only 47 inches wide, which means that The Wedge has earned its place in The Guinness Book Of Records, as The World’s Narrowest House. Happily The Wedges shape does mean that the living space widens to 11 feet at the rear. I spied a Purple Bricks sign in the upstairs window and yes the petite property is currently for sale. Anyone fancy buying a Bijou Bolt hole ??

Time for a brew? On a sunny Thursday morning at the end of August, we would have expected more of the towns shops and cafes to be open, but sadly quite a few were closed. I think perhaps because Scotland’s children returned to school after their summer holidays in mid August, it was no longer the height of the tourist season. The Dancing Midge Cafe ( love the name! ) seemed to be doing a roaring trade however.

Wil and Mum ( and Hugo) on the promenade.

After purchasing hot drinks to take away, Mum and I sat on the seafront watching the world go by. It wasn’t long before Wil and Hugo arrived back from their walk, joining us for a brew.

Opposite the Dancing Midge Cafe there is a jagged piece of rock called The Crocodile Rock. Astonishingly the brightly painted beast has been the subject of paintings and photos since 1913, when its creator Robert Brown adorned the landmark with its crocodilian features. 🐊

A watery stone jettie . Little Cumbrae in the distance.

The cyclists arrived back after a couple of hours. Seals and seabirds had been seen. Some legs were tired, some opted to pedal around the island again ! Wil and I would leave Hugo with the family and bicycle around Cumbrae with my nephew and my cousin who had joined us for the day. So after a take-out lunch from The Dancing Midge, four of us set off on our bike ride.

The 10 Mile loop around Great Cumbrae has plenty of stopping off points to admire the beautiful views, across to the mainland and also toward the islands of Bute and Arran. We didn’t stop too many times though, as the hire bikes had to be back by a certain time. Unlike the others , I’m not the fastest on two wheels!

I think it took us about 2 hours to cycle around the island. There are various viewing points and things to see, some of these are incorporated into The Cumbrae Sensory Trail, we passed the green waymarkers on our way round. Another painted rock was spied. The Indian Rock spookily peers out from under trees on the West side of the island. It has been here since the 1920s and was reportedly first painted by a hermit called ‘ Fern Andy’. Nearby the rock is The Fintrybay Cafe, an ideal place to stop off for refreshments.

Incredible blue sea and the mountains of Arran in the distance.

I was so glad I had gotten to pedal around The Isle of Cumbrae once again, and especially so, on such a beautiful afternoon. My legs were pretty tired by the time we got back to Millport! The rest of the family had been rock pooling and playing crazy golf in our absence.

The Isle of Cumbrae Distillery makes a selection of gins including **Croc Roc Gin**.

My niece reunited some recently beached Moon Jellies, to the sea.

I have fallen in love with Great Cumbrae once again!

Have you ever been? Which of the Scottish islands is your favourite?

lake district, lancashire, Pets, Places to visit, seaside, travel

A week on the Coast ~ A picture story post. Cumbria & Lancs. ⛵

August 20, 2021 shazza 12 Comments

A week on the Coast ~ A picture story post. Cumbria & Lancs. ⛵

lake district, Pets, Places to visit, seaside, travel, walks, wildlife

2021 Is Cumbria’s Year Of The Coast. ⛵🐟🌞

July 31, 2021 shazza 24 Comments

I have recently found out that 2021 has been named Cumbria’s Year Of The Coast ! Many people flock to the lovely Lake District , yet the county also has over 100 miles of diverse coastline to explore. Known for its secluded beaches, coastal walks & wildlife and dramatic sunsets, Cumbria’s coastline is very much a hidden gem.

So I thought I would share some of my own moments by the sea as well as note down a few places I would like to visit next time I’m in the area. Happily my August Summer holiday will be split between two seaside settlements this year. We have our usual weekend away with friends booked in Ravenglass plus the four following nights further South of the county in Arnside. Happy days. 🙂

Allonby. A former fishing village, Allonby was also a popular Victorian sea bathing resort. It retains some interesting old buildings including the handsome Reading Rooms built by Alfred Waterhouse , who went on to design London’s Natural History Museum & Strangeways Prison. Charles Dickens and fellow writer Wilkie Collins stayed two nights at The Ship Hotel on their 1857 walking tour of Cumberland, after Collins badly sprained his ankle in the Lakeland fells. Today the village is popular with painters who love the light and Solway sunsets. The beach is a mixture of dunes, shingle & sand , perfect for walking the pooch. A great place to indulge in Fish & Chips is the local chippy ‘The Cod Father’. Where to stay ~ the former home of artist Percy Kelly is a beautifully renovated holiday cottage. Percy Kelly’s Cottage.

Arnside. The views over Morecambe Bay toward the Lake District are stunning from the charming seaside resort of Arnside. Pretty shops, tea rooms and pubs line the sea front. A Victorian promenade and small pier adorn the village and the beach is sandy but tidal, so visitors must beware of changing tides. Organized Cross Bay walks are a popular hiking route from Arnside to nearby Kent Bank. Every few weeks a siren sounds in the village, warning of a natural phenomenon called a tidal bore , a fast incoming wave that sweeps across the estuary. Where to Stay ~ enjoy scenic views over the bay from Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub with rooms.

Arnside with the viaduct in the distance.

Baycliff. Our first holiday with Hugo was in a beachside cottage at Baycliff, a small former fishing and farming community that looks over Morecambe Bay. Baycliff has a pretty village green and two pubs. A vast beach of shingle and sand offers ample opportunity for walks and bird watching , a two mile stroll east brings ice cream ( or coffee and cake ) rewards if you drop by Bardsea’s Chill & Grill . Also nearby is Ulverstons Buddhists Temple for World Peace whose gardens, woodland trails, beach, cafe and gift shop are open to everyone. Where to stay ~ practically on the beach if you can at the nautically inspired Driftwood Cottage.

St Bees. Alfred Wainwright recommends that walkers dip their boots in the North Sea at St Bees , the starting point of his Coast To Coast Walking Route. 182 miles later and those aching feet can seek solace in the sea at Robins Hood Bay. For me a wander along St Bees sandy beach or atop it’s red sandstone cliffs is quite enough. RSPB St Bees Head is home to colonies of seabirds including guillemot and razorbill. And the 11th century priory in the village dedicated to St Mary and St Bega features some colourful stained glass windows. Where to Stay ~ Former Railway waiting room transformed into comfortable self catering accommodation. The Station House.

Sea Pinks and the Start of the Coast To Coast walk.

Bowness-on-Solway. Bowness is a small coastal village which was once the site of a sea facing Roman fort called Maia. Situated on the Western edge of Hadrian’s Wall ( no longer visible), the settlement is the start/finish of another long distance walking route, the Hadrian’s Wall Path. There are a couple of pubs , a cafe and free range chickens were wandering along the village road when we visited last year. The Scottish coastline is clearly seen over the Solway Firth and nature lovers have The Solway Wetlands Centre and RSPB Campfield Marsh to explore. Where to stay ~ Glamp in luxury in a fully equipped wooden pod at Wallsend Guest House & Glamping.

Grange Over Sands. It was the railway that brought well heeled Victorians to Grange, turning it from a small fishing village to a genteel holiday resort. With its pretty gardens along the promenade and vast views over Morecambe Bay ,the town is a lovely place to visit. Over time the sands have shifted and it is salt marsh meadows that now seperate Grange over Sands from the sea. There are a good selection of independent shops and businesses in town, a park with an ornamental duck pond and the Save Grange Lido group continues its campaign for the restoration of the 1930s marshside art deco lido. Where to stay ~ relax in style whilst taking in the views. Bay Villa bed & Breakfast.

Haverigg. Situated at the mouth of the Duddon Estuary, Haveriggs golden sandy beaches have Blue Flag Status. The village has a recently opened Wake Board & Water Park , guaranteed fun for all ages! And RSPB Hodbarrow Lagoon is within walking distance. Look out for the 7 tonne sculpture ‘ Escape To Light’ by Josefina de Vasconcellos , situated by the Haverigg Inshore Rescue Station. Where To Stay ~ Family & dog friendly camping and glamping options at Harbour Lights Campsite .

Port Haverigg Aqua Park ~ photo from their Facebook page.

Maryport. A seaside resort with a rich maritime history and once the location of a Roman port, Maryport enjoys access to a vast sand & shingle beach and all the amenities of a typical coastal town. The Lake District Coast Aquarium is based here as well as the Senhouse Roman Museum on the promenade. Bob over to the village of Mawbray to stock up on local cheeses from The Cheese Shed. Where To Stay ~ Ann’s Hill Lodge & Cottage in nearby Bridekirk for a romantic getaway.

Senhouse Roman Museum. Photo ~ Senhouse Roman Museum. .

Miles of golden sands , Maryport. Photo ~ A Ball.

Ravenglass. The charming and sleepy estuary village of Ravenglass is the perfect place to chill with an ice cream ( if you can find the almost hidden Ice cream Hut ) on the rocky shore. Ravenglass is the only Cumbrian coastal settlement to be included in the Lake District National Park. Wast water, England’s deepest lake is 20 minutes drive away. Discover more of Lakeland by venturing on the The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway whose steam trains take visitors on a seven mile journey through the spectacular Eskdale countryside. Travellers can hunt for waterfalls, secluded tarns and enjoy a pint at the Woolpack Inn, recently voted Cumbria’s best pub. Where to stay ~ the railway station in Ravenglass has sympathetically restored two Pullman Coaches into quirky self catering accommodation.

Seven go to Eskmeals Nature Reserve ( a short drive from Ravenglass). Photo ~ F Middleton.

Silecroft. Silecroft it seems, is all about the beach! When the tide is out a vast expanse of shingle and sand appears, making it popular with horse riders, dog walkers and kite flyers. Both Murthwaite Green trekking centre and Cumbrian Heavy Horses offer beach riding , the formers horses appear galloping along the sands in the opening credits of Country file. The slopes of Black Combe Fell offer a scenic backdrop to Silecrofts seascape and rare Natterjack toads breed in the area. The beach has free parking, toilets and a shoreside cafe and there is a pub and store in the village. Where to stay ~ admire Silecroft Sunsets from a beautiful beach side cabin with hot tub .

Cumbrian Heavy Horses. Photo ~ Cumbrian Heavy Horses.

Wren enjoying the views. Photo ~ B Hudson.

Silloth. With its wide tree lined streets and attractive town green, Silloth-on-Solway is a classic example of a Victorian seaside resort. Victorians would come here to enjoy the mild climate and invigorating sea air, visitors today can enjoy those too as well as a lively year long programme of events held on the green. The town benefits from a sandy stretch of beach with dunes , a terraced promenade and amusent arcades. Other attractions in Silloth include a Vintage Motorcycle Museum and the unique Big Fella Sculpture by artist Ray Lonsdale. Where to stay ~ the Greenview Guest House overlooks the bay and has an in-house bistro.

Walney Island & Piel Island. At eleven miles long and one mile wide Walney Island is the eighth largest island in England. It is seperated from the industrial port town of Barrow in Furness by Jubilee Bridge. The North and Southern tips of the island are nature Reserves, South Walney Reserve is home to Cumbrias only Grey Seal colony. Kite Surfing is a popular passtime at Earnse Bay which has a large shallow sandy beach. Piel Island is a much smaller island with its own castle and pub. An ongoing island tradition dating back to the 18th century proclaims that each pub landlord becomes ‘ King Of Piel Island’. The Ship Inn has recently reopened and a ferry runs from Roa Island during the summer months. Where to stay ~ Wild camping is available on Piel Island. Or cosy up nextdoor to a lighthouse in The Hide on Walney.

Piel Castle from Walney Island. Image ~ South Walney Nature Reserve.

Seal pup on at South Walney. Image ~ Cumbria Wildlife trust.

Whitehaven. Whitehaven is a Georgian port town and has more than 250 listed buildings. It’s early fortune came from sea mining, coal transportation to Ireland and also the trading of rum, spices and slaves from Africa. This colourful and somewhat dubious history is recorded in The Beacon Museum and The Rum Story . There is an attractive harbour and beach in the town, from where it is possible to take a cliff top walk to St Bees. Where to stay ~ Fine dining & boutique rooms Georgian Townhouse Hotel .

Whitehaven harbour. Image ~ Sally’s cottages.

Hopefully my post has given you a taste of what the beautiful Cumbrian Coast has to offer…..

Thank you to my lovely photograph contributers.

Silloth Scenes ~ A Garley, Wren enjoying Silecroft Beach ~ B Hudson, Maryports Golden Sands ~ A Ball, Seven go to Eskmeals Nature Reserve ~ F Middleton, Ravenglass sunset ~ J Blackburn.

Pets, Places to visit, seaside, travel, walks, wildlife

North Norfolk Coast. 🐚

May 25, 2021 shazza 63 Comments

A holiday happened! We have not long since returned from a week by the sea. A few years ago we visited the North Norfolk Coast and hoped that one day we would go back. Happily we managed to do just that last week. It was great to get away to such a beautiful part of England. The sea air was a tonic! Below are a few places we visited, often by using the very handy Coasthopper Bus service.

Brancaster & Brancaster Staithe.

These two adjoining fishing villages were our base for exploring. Both are in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the National Trust looks after the beaches here. Hugo loved the vast stretches of sand and I was forever scanning the saltmarsh for interesting waterbirds. My favourite breakfast spot was marshside at the White Horse pub, from where you can watch skeins of geese taking off. We found our own secret seal colony when walking on the beach too. 💗

View over the marshes at Breakfast ~ White Horse ~ Brancaster Staithe.

Eating out ( inside) in Brancaster. The Ship Hotel for food and Bar 71 for a friendly drink with the locals.

Sheringham.

We spent an afternoon on the seafront in the traditional seaside town of Sheringham. With its pops of colour on the promenade ( vibrant murals and rainbow painted beach huts) its a smiley seaside resort. The sandy beach after the huts is dog friendly. 🐾

Burnham Market.

A mile inland from the coast is one of a number of villages called Burnham. This Burnham is full of trendy shops & eateries, looking over a village green. I did remark to Wil that it looks the kind of place where you might find ‘ Made in Chelsea’ being filmed. And researching this post did provide me with the information that the villages nick name is ‘ Chelsea on Sea’ . Fancy that!

Admiral Horatio Nelson was born in nearby Burnham Thorpe and frequented a public house in the village.

Cley Next The Sea.

Keen birders will have heard about Cley. The marshland between the village and the sea is a renowned Nature Reserve, home to many rare species of birdlife including Pied Avocet, Bittern and Bearded Tit. There is also an impressive 18th Century Windmill ( presently a lovely looking b & b ) and various shops, cafes and galleries. Cley does have a shingle beach, from where you can walk to nearby Salthouse. 🦆

Salthouse.

Just up the coast from Cley Next The Sea, Salthouse is perhaps it’s quieter counterpart, yet still boasting miles of wildlife packed salt marsh and shingle beach. We spent a lovely afternoon here enjoying some slightly warmer temperatures and fresh tasty seafood. We can recommend the Dun Cow for lunch and I loved the book & gift selection in The Salthouse Store. 🐚

Shingle. Much of it contains orangey coloured flint, used in the buildings round here.

Wells Next The Sea.

If like me you can’t get enough of Beach Huts then the charming seaside town of Wells Next The Sea is a must visit. After perusing the quaint gift shops on Staithe Street take a quay side walk to Wells beautiful golden sandy beach. It’s made all the lovelier by a pine forest backdrop and stunning array of colourful huts. I was memorised. The beach like many in North Norfolk welcomes four legged friends. 🦀

Looks tropical doesn’t it! We were actually wearing winter woolies.

Mr & Mrs Mallard outside their beach hut.

Hunstanton & Old Hunstanton.

On our previous visit to the North Norfolk Coast we stayed in the family friendly resort of Hunstanton, known as ‘ Sunny Hunny’ to optimistic holiday makers. We just had to revisit and walk along the beach to neighboring Old Hunstanton.

Lighthouse viewed through the remains of st Edmunds Chapel.

St Edmund was an Anglo Saxon King who was killed and beheaded by Danish raiders. A wolf supposedly protected the king’s head , and when reunited with Edmunds body the head mysteriously reattached itself, a sure sign of sainthood apparently.

Fulmar nesting in Hunstantons stripey cliffs.

The Old Town Cafe at Old Hunstanton. A great place for breakfast.

Of course there are lots more places to explore in North Norfolk and what’s above are only a small selection.

We loved the big skies and the stunning variety of coastline. I think Hugo did too. 🙂

Have you ever visited North Norfolk? 🦀

lake district, Pets, Places to visit, seaside, travel, walks, wildlife

A Weekend In Ravenglass & Eskdale.

August 19, 2020 shazza 28 Comments

Back in January a group of friends booked a holiday cottage on the Cumbrian coast. Little did we know then what a strange turn of events would unfold in 2020. A global pandemic would envelop the world, like something out of a Sci Fi film. We were definitely thankful that we had arranged our mini break for August in Ravenglass….and happily for us , it could still go ahead. Fortunately this little corner of the Lake District is relatively quiet and social distancing was easy. We also had amazing weather, which always helps. 😎

Sunshine & Sunsets. So it was that 6 adults, 2 children and 2 dogs spent a happy 3 nights in lovely Ravenglass. Friday was enjoyed mostly on the beach in front of the cottage and admiring an incredible sunset from the balcony. One friend brought a Water Bottle Rocket 🚀 whose launches into the sky gave us endless entertainment on the sand.

A Ratty Trip , Walk To Eel Tarn & Wild Swimming. You can’t visit Ravenglass in the Summer without a ride on The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. Affectionately known as La’al Ratty, this narrow steam gauge railway takes passengers into the seriously scenic Eskdale Valley. We booked return tickets to Dalegarth Station near Boot, from where there are plentiful beautiful riverside and fell walks. Face coverings were advised though not enforced on the platform and inside covered carriages.

Our plan was to walk to a remote tarn for some wild swimming. However as stunning as the hike was, Eel Tarn itself wasn’t really suitable for water pursuits. Surrounded by boggy marsh, only Hugo the Labrador managed to spring in there for a cooling off doggy paddle. However the kids had discovered a promising looking waterfall pool in Whillan Beck , which we managed to visit later.

Whillan Beck Waterfall pool behind Eskdale Mill.

A choice of destinations to head to from the Woolpack .

Time for a swim in the waterfall pool behind Eskdale Mill.

Saturday was a really hot day so the cool clear water in the beck was just perfect for swimming in. We had it all to ourselves too. As we left a local family arrived, the father had been coming to the waterfall for 40 years. To us it was an accidental ( and totally wonderful) discovery.

Eskmeals Nature Reserve. Having visited Ravenglass several times now, I hadn’t actually realised that the dunes I had seen on the other side of the estuary are part of Eskmeals Nature Reserve . We decided to visit here on Sunday for a walk. The dunes are home to rare natterjack toads ( we didn’t see any though) and many species of wildflower. There is parking by the viaduct at nearby Waberthwaite. Look out for a yellow flag. If it is flying the adjoining MOD land is in use.

We came across this pebble Union Jack in the sand.

A Few More Images From Ravenglass.

Ravenglass has been a Roman port and was also visited by Vikings.

The Queen wears a face mask in The Ratty Arms.

As we were leaving Ravenglass on Monday morning a man was setting up his sea plane for a 40 minute journey to a lochside cafe near Dumfries for a coffee. Can’t be bad!

Have you ever visited any places mentioned in this post?

🐚

lancashire, Pets, Places to visit, seaside, travel, walks, wildlife

To The Sea.

June 14, 2020 shazza 40 Comments

I have been craving ‘ a sea fix ‘ for some time now. Today was finally the day that I got my fix. We headed to Heysham on the Lancashire coast and parked at Heysham Nature Reserve behind the power station. After typing Heysham Nature Reserve into Google maps it told me that we had visited the reserve two years ago. Scary that it remembered. 😜

Heysham Nature Reserve is still open , however the car park and facilities are currently closed. We managed to find a spot near the entrance and Hugo had an off lead wander. At some point we ended up on the rocky shore in front of the power station. Un surprisingly it was easy to social distance beside a nuclear power station. 😊

We walked as far as the striking rust coloured South Pier lighthouse and retraced our steps back to the car.

It was around 11-30 and already cracking the flags at nearby Half Moon Bay when we parked the car on the small car park there. In fact it was getting a bit too hot for Hugo. After a short walk along the cliffs as far as the St Patrick’s chapel remains, we called it a day. Looking back on my post from two years ago, we had a hot weather visit then too! No beautiful new sculptures at that time though. Fab to see the recent editions. 😊

Ship Sculpture looking over Half Moon Bay.

My first ever sighting of a Whitethroat. 🙂

Goodbye beautiful Lancashire coast. Until next time. ❤️

lancashire, Pets, Places to visit, seaside, walks, wildlife

Sea & Snowdrops in Lytham.

January 21, 2020 shazza 28 Comments

Monday was one of those bright cold days, perfect for a trip to the coast. It’s been a long time since we visited Lytham so we headed for the Lancashire seaside town, parking not far from the windmill on the Green. The Windmill is open to the public in the Summer , so we could only admire it’s sails set against a winter blue sky.

After a walk along the marshy grass and pebbled beach ( Hugo racing round like a demented dog) we found a cute cafe on Clifton Street in town called Bijou for lunch.

Two anchors entwined. Caught in the nets of a fishing vessel in the eighties, these were from shipwrecks one hundred years earlier.

Black-tailed Godwits ( Limosa Limosa in Latin).

It is the Clifton family that resided in Lytham’s grandest residence , the Grade 1 listed Georgian built Lytham Hall on the outskirts of town. After lunch we headed there as I had heard it’s grounds and cafe are popular with dogs and their owners. It’s a bit of a walk from Lytham, but there is a car park if you’d prefer to drive.

The snowdrops are just starting to bloom in the gardens and grounds. In February there are so many that popular Snowdrop Walks are held every weekend throughout the month. The Hall and cafe and gardens have a friendly community vibe with a gardening club, book and antique sales, park runs and guided house tours. I think it’s somewhere we will return. 🙂