As we left Edinburgh behind the signs came up for the "Coastal Trail" and we decided that this might be a more interesting way to get to York, so we diverted.
We followed along here past many fancy golf courses (the road is also know as the Golf Highway) and also walled woods areas which we assume are privately owned estates. Some have very fancy gates and buildings inside.
We stopped off to look at Bass Rock- a steep rock island just off of the coast. There is a little coffee place here - built in containers by the looks- that has a magnificent view of the Rock from the mainland. Apparently the Rock is a reserve for Gannet.
 |
| View to the beach on our side of the water. Over here you need a conservatory to soak up the warm sunshine. |
 |
| Bass Rock and tiny fishing boat for perspective |
 |
| Container cafe |
Just a little further along was the ruin of Tantallon Castle (one of many ruins) - it was probably open to see (at a price) during peak season, but no doubt closed now. (like most things)
As 11am came near we pulled in from the highway and found a little town to stop in. We pulled in to a suburban street and found a parking space just as 11 approached and observed the minute of silence (punctuated by cannon at the start and end and celebrated with bell ringing) before heading onwards.
Not a lot later we noted the sign to Lindisfarne.... - we have heard of Lindisfarne. Let's go there.
So we did. Across the causeway ("Responsibility is yours" ) as Thom googled the tide times to make sure we would be able to get back across again. It was OK - we had until 2.45 to make our way back across the causeway before it would once again be covered and the Holy Island cut off from the mainland.
We parked where we could and walked into town. The castle was not open, but the priory was, so we slowly made our way there, via lunch (crab sandwich is the local specialty), toasted sandwiches and great coffee. As usual , someone came in (up the stairs!!) with a couple of dogs as well. All across the UK we have seen dogs inside of cafes.
Then we walked on to the Priory, but decided to enter the churchyard (free) but not to pay the required money (£6.80 each), so read the basic information and admired the views and statue of St Cuthbert from churchyard.
 |
| Lindisfarne Castle in the distance (We didn't walk out there as it was not open and we were on a time limit) |
 |
| The Priory |
 |
| Tiny Island with a cross on it and the shallow water between the island and the mainland in the background. |
 |
| St Cuthbert |
 |
| Fascinating and unidentified tree - please help me identify if you can. |
When we made it back to the car park and started up the car it showed an alert for a tyre! Sure enough the front left tyre was flat. We had hit an unexpected curb on the side of the road a little earlier, (there are not curbs on most places, and this one was jutting out into the roadway a little) and this was the result.
Unpack the car, change to the space saver tyre, squash into the car again. Drive on (now at 50mph/80km) limited. With only a couple of hundred miles to go to York not a problem. And luckily we hadn't left it till the last minute to get back across the causeway.
As we drove we admired again the amazing colours of the trees at the side of the highway. This is the unexpected trade off for having some places closed and less sunshine. The delightful colours of autumn are fantastic. The dark green of the evergreen firs, mixed in the planting with yellow leaved bulb shaped trees and leafless brown candle shaped trees, and all around the orange of fallen leaves on the ground. Fantastic!!! We also saw lots of pheasants on the road (all as road kill). At one stage we were coming across one every 50 metres or so!! At least they wouldn't hit so hard as a Kangaroo. I've seen one live one in all the driving we have done, but dozens and dozens of dead ones.
 |
| We have seen this sign in many places where roadworks are in place. |
We took the tunnel under the Tyne so that we missed Newcastle pretty much (unexpected sudden toll of £1.70) and drove past a really old mill with scaffolding supporting it silhoetted against the sky. (This was among many modern wind farms in the area). I can't figure out what it was. Looking across the valley in front we could see many different chimneys belching out smoke (power stations??) - maybe because we were in a coal mining area near Middlesborough.
We made our way into York a little later than anticipated (due to slower driving speed) and had to argue with our car navigator regarding the location of our lodgings, but eventually found the right location using phones with maps. We are relatively close to the city centre and the place is better than the others we have been in. (cereal, plunger coffee, bread and milk and shampoo provided) It was easy to walk to one of the many pubs to find tea, and we are planning an early and busy day tomorrow, trying to take in some of what York has to offer.
 |
| our room tonight |
 |
| Thom and Laura's room |
No comments:
Post a Comment