Anniversary Tour

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 (2^nd 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.