Being away for a few days means lots of photos to sort - remember that to see the photos bigger and as a slide show just click on any picture!!
A 4 day (3 night) getaway started as we headed towards our
first overnight in Gateshead.
We had decided to explore the Durham coastline
and headed to Seaham as it is part of the Heritage Coastline.
From here we took a slow meander south but with very few chances
to see the sea without steep pathways we headed North again and stopped off at
Roker Harbour
and then into South Shields as we turned towards our Holiday Inn. Thanks to AA
discounts we enjoyed a carvery at the TOBY nearby.
Next morning (Fri), we planned to see as much of the Northumberland
coast as we dodged the showers which had been forecast. First stop was Blyth
where we had a breath of fresh air (gale force fresh air!) and we felt
spots of rain just as we returned to the car.
We decided to try an indoor activity
so called at the Woodhorn Museum. Here we had coffee and as the rain came to nothing we looked around the site.
We soon
moved on to follow the coast again.
Druridge Bay visitor centre showed a nice road where we
could park with a sea view.
Fully refreshed our next stop was at Benthall Bay where we
had a short walk on the beach. Blue skies everywhere (despite the forecast) but
the wind was whipping up the sand.
Further along the coast trail we recognised the profile of Bamborough Castle getting closer.
We joined the A1 to head north a bit quicker but called in
at Berwick for afternoon refreshments overlooking the Tweed and the famous
bridges.
As we got closer to Edinburgh, thoughts turned to what to
have for tea. We knew Musselburgh had good views over the Forth so decided to
call for a Fish Supper at a place we had used before. However, the town centre
parking area had changed so much that I missed everything. Rush hour comes late
in Musselburgh and the option of going back through the high street was soon
discounted. Knowing that there are plenty of eateries near our Holiday Inn at
Leith, we booked in and searched for local eateries. Surely there would be a
fish & chip shop locally. Not easily accessible although Loch Fyne had a
restaurant which would been in the right direction for a later visit to Falkirk
and the Kelpies, but prices were . . . . . !! Would you believe there was a
TOBY on the route !! So AA discounts prevailed but at least we had different
meats with our carvery !!
Our route took us very close to the new bridge crossing the Forth.
We had always promised ourselves a return visit to the Kelpies
to see them illuminated.
Mission accomplished.
Saturday, we had a short hop across country to the
Strathclyde Country Park so decided to visit the Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh
as we were so close. A local resident informed me that street parking was free
on a Saturday (Bonus!), entry to the garden was free (2nd Bonus!) so
we paid the extra to enter the glasshouses.
Being the start of the school holidays there were lots of
activities for children and the café areas were crowded out with loads of
families and excited children. This made our decision to move on a lot easier.
A nicely located Dobbies garden centre gave an excuse to
stop for coffee before continuing the short hop through extensive roadworks as
we approached Strathclyde. A visit to the fun fair was really because it housed
the Amazonia building for a chance to see wildlife.
The Holiday Inn was just 100yds from Amazonia and 20yds from
the hotel was a . . . . TOBY so why drive anywhere else?? 20% off another
combination of meat with a carvery.
Sunday morning had been forecast as being the best day for
fine weather and so we planned to head for the Ayrshire coast and stop off
along the way to watch wildlife.
Back home we finally got our fish supper.
