June 11, 2009

Sunday after Rob and Joshua returned from the allotment we all just napped around the house. Not much exciting happened that evening.

I promised a pic of Katie's birthday party and here it is. Louise was getting the bubble machine to work while Katie looked on.

Monday we rode in Tracey and travelled up the north-east coast to view a few castles. We traveled thru Wansbeck district into the district of Alnwick.

Our first stop was Warkworth Castle.

• The magnificent cross-shaped keep of Warkworth, crowning a hilltop rising steeply above the River Coquet, dominates one of the largest, strongest and most impressive fortresses in northern England. The castle's most famous owners were the Percy family, whose lion badge can be seen carved on many parts of their stronghold.Wielding almostkingly power in the North, their influence reached its apogee under the first Earl of Northumberland and his son 'Harry Hotspur', hero of many Border ballads as the bane of Scots raiders and a dominant character in Shakespeare's Henry IV. Having helped to depose Richard II, these turbulent 'kingmakers' both fell victim to Henry IV: the next three Percy Earls likewise died violent deaths. Still roofed and almost complete, the uniquely-planned keep dates mainly from the end of the 14th century. It presides over the extensive remains of a great hall, chapel, fine gatehouse and a virtually intact circuit of towered walls. Half a mile from the castle, tucked away by the Coquet and accessible only by boat, stands a much more peaceful building: the late medieval cave Hermitage and chapel of a solitary holy man. (english-heritage.org.uk)

Joshua and I saw a path that walked down and around the castle and thought it might be fun to explore it. I set off to join the path while Joshua found it more fun to roll all the way down the hill. We followed the path down to the river where Joshua pretended to fall in.

When we walked back up, Joshua spotted a short-cut through the brush that went straight up the hill, of course, he wanted us to take it... so we did. As soon as we reached Dave (who had volunteered to stay at the car with a sleeping Daniel), Joshua wanted his Daddy to see the amazing short-cut as well. Mommy sat with Daniel while admiring the gorgeous cross detail in the stone.

"Alas! and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sov’reign die? Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?.... Thus might I hide my blushing face while His dear cross appears. Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, and melt my eyes to tears." (Ralph Hudson)

Tea and biscuits sounded yummy when David and Joshua came back from their expeditions. We had with us a large flask of tea, some bananas, meat pies, apple juice, and pb&js. Daniel ate a whole banana crazy fast! Dave asked, "Was that banana good?". Daniel replied with a british accent, "Nana good".

Once we all had our tummies warmed up, we were off to the next place of interest. On the way, we passed a Spar, which made us excited because we often shopped at the Spar in Zimbabwe.

Our next stop was Dunstanburgh Castle in the small, harbor town of Craster. One must walk well over a mile to reach it because that is how close the nearest public parking is. We were blessed with the parking, though; after we had nibbled on our packed lunch, we were getting out of the car and about to go pay for a parking ticket when a sweet, older couple drove up to us and gave us their full day ticket that they were no longer needing. (Yahoo.... LOVE it when God blesses us in small ways like that!)

As we were beginning our walk, we noticed a place one could stop to get tea with fresh scones (YUMMY!!!) so we thought it would be great to get some on our way out.

Here we are, stopping to overlook the North Sea just before stopping

to get a Flaky ice cream.

David took some time down near water's edge to contemplate the wonders of his Creator.

Joshua wanted to have a quick frolic in the sea while David looked on from below and Mummy and Daniel watched from above.

Finally, we make it to within view of the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle.

• Dramatic Dunstanburgh Castle was built at a time when relations between King Edward II and his most powerful baron, Earl Thomas of Lancaster, had become openly hostile. Lancaster began the fortress in 1313, and the latest archaeological research carried out by English Heritage indicates that he built it on a far grander scale than was hitherto recognised, perhaps more as a symbol of his opposition to the king than as a military stronghold. The innovative gatehouse, for instance, competed with the new royal castles in Wales. The earl failed to reach Dunstanburgh when his rebellion was defeated, and was taken and executed in 1322. Thereafter the castle passed eventually to John of Gaunt, who strengthened it against the Scots by converting the great twin towered gatehouse into a keep. The focus of fierce fighting during the Wars of the Roses, it was twice besieged and captured by Yorkist forces, but subsequently fell into decay. Its impressive ruins now watch over a headland famous for seabirds. (english-heritage.org.uk)

Joshua bought a postcard with many of the castles we visited or will visit. He is pointing to the picture showing the very castle site that stands behind him.

He wants to send this to Carston.... Carston, be looking for this in the mail! =)

Daniel has become quite the hugger of late. He gives such good ones! He will wrap his arms about one's neck and say loudly, yet sweetly, "I oh you" (that is his way of saying I love you).

Here he is giving one of these tight squeezes to David's head!

On our way back, we ran into my parent's summer cottage. It faces the North Sea and has a lovely garden just in front where one can sit and watch the sea gulls practice ballet.

(ps.... my parent's do not really have a summer cottage)! ...hahaha.

We stopped to watch the fishing boat dock. Joshua found this fascinating!

As we walked on and got close to the car park, we noticed that our previous plans of having tea and scones were not to be. The kiosk was already closed! =( Boo-hoo... guess we really didn't need it after all.

So, we passed the day ticket on and headed out to Bamburgh Castle.

• Home to the Kings of Northumbria this magnificent coastal castle was completely restored in 1900. Collections of china, porcelain, furniture, paintings, arms and armour. It is the home of the Armstrong family, and the building is all in use which maintains a welcoming lived-in atmosphere. A Royal Centre by AD547, the rocky outcrop has been occupied since the prehistoric period. The present fortress is the result of restoration and expansion over the centuries, a building of historic and general interest with the public tour passing through the museum room, grand kings hall, cross hall, armoury and the Victorian scullery. Live archaeology during July and August, complete with children's dig pit, a tea-room and gift shop. (ntopsearch.com/VisitBritain/en-GB/Details.aspx?contentID=122968)

As we were walking down to the castle we passed a famous, English, red phone booth and could not pass the opportunity to take a pic.

We also passed a tea room that captivated our attentions and appetites!

We walked on to where the cricket ground lays just near the castle. Joshua ran around on the cricket grounds. That boy ran all day, I think.

This cross is placed in the side of the hill where the castle stands (the castle is above the cross). The cross commemorates the men from the area that fought in WWII.

Dave took it easy as we walked up to the castle.

Joshua stood on a cliff ;) as we walked up to the castle.

We walked around the castle by the sea. So peaceful and pretty; shame we had to leave.

It took us about 45 minutes to drive home from Bamburgh. We could see Alnwick Castle in the distance as we drove home.

That evening we crashed as soon as we walked in the door. It was a great day!

Tuesday morning was a good time to let Daniel catch up on sleep. Dave and Rob went to B&Q to purchase some cement for the braai at the allotment. They came back, after secretly eating some yummy steak and onion stotties, to collect Joshua. All three of them soon headed up to the allotment to finish the work they had begun on the braai.

That evening we walked to downtown Blaydon to watch the runners coming in from the burn. David and Joshua had visions of running in it themselves while Daniel had more interest in what his Mummy was doing.

The runners came from all parts of the globe. Unfortunately, we missed the very first ones coming in, but we got to see most of them finish the race. I tried to convince David to run in it wearing only a Speedo, but he insisted that he was way too fast and didn't want to make everyone else look so bad. HAHA!

Near to the finish line were some fun things for the kiddos. Joshua had a ball bouncing all around the bouncy, trampoline thing. After he finished with that, he was a little hot so Dave treated Joshua to an ice-cream twister.

We made it home after climbing up Shibdon Bank.... yeesh.... that is one long, steep climb. I am happy to say that my fitness level must be increasing a little, at least, as I didn't have to stop not once and I wasn't huffing and puffing like I was last time either. Of course, I was not carrying heavy packets in my hand.... hmmm... maybe I don't have so much to boast about after all!

Wednesday was a good day to see some Newcastle sights. We hopped on a bus to downtown Newcastle and began our journey by walking towards St. Nicholas Cathedral. As soon as we rounded the bus station we spotted a Starbuck's which Dave and I could not pass up. We shared a Cafe Mocha... Mmmm! Joshua quickly proclaimed his hunger, so we were out of Starbuck's in search for food. As we walked, we passed a band playing some very strange instruments, yet the sound was lovely! Then we found a Gregg's where Joshua got a sausage roll and Mummy and Daniel got cornish pasties.

With food in our tummies, we were keen to continue our adventure. After a brief walk, we arrived at St. Nicholas Cathedral.

• In 1194, we have the first reference to the dedication of the church to St. Nicholas. The first wooden building was rebuilt in stone towards the end of the twelfth century and was twice damaged by fire in the first half of the thirteenth century but repaired and extended in the following years.

  Towards the end of the fourteenth century, in order to allow more light into the church, the walls were heightened and a clerestory inserted.

  Patrons of this improvement work included Nicholas Sabram, three times Member of Parliament, in addition to Roger Thornton who died in 1429, and Robert Rhodes who died 45 years later, two of the greatest benefactors of churches in Newcastle.

  By the end of the fifteenth century with the addition of the splendid stone crown and tower, the church was in very much the same form as we know it today. (stnicholascathedral.co.uk)

The church was old, but amazing! We didn't read the brochure about it because we thought it cost more than it should so we did not find out the age of the church or the original size, but as the pews were sitting on old tombstones we assumed it was not always so large.

Dave and Joshua took time out to pray together at the altar.

Daniel and Mummy stood in awe at the stained glass windows.

David spotted a seemingly arbitrary thing tucked away in an unobtrusive spot. At first glance one would think it was merely a block of wood in a frame, but upon closer inspection of the document, one will read that the piece of wood dates back to a tree that was alive during the time of Christ!

Amy took a photo of the document. When we downloaded our photos, we noticed a very cool thing about this photo. Can you guess the neat secret????? (the answer will be revealed next blog).

Just around the corner from the cathedral is the Castle Keep of Newcastle.

• The Castle Keep of Newcastle upon Tyne was built by Henry II between 1168-1178, it is one of the finest surviving examples of a Norman Keep in the country.

  It stands within a site that also contains: an early motte and bailey castle built by Robert Curthose, the son of William the Conqueror: an Anglo-Saxon cemetery and a Roman Fort (Pons Aelius). (museums.ncl.ac.uk)

We found the unfinished stair. It was begun, but the work was abandoned during an attack; the stair was never completed.

We also found a little mouse crawling out of the hearth.

Here is the well room, Joshua's favourite room. If he doesn't watch it, he just might fall in!

Unable to take the push-chair up and down the many steps, and also leaving our baby carrier at the house, we had to improvise.

One never know who one will run into while touring a castle. Here we have just met Sir Talks A. Lot and Lady Froggy Face.

Joshua displayed the face of constipation on the Queen's lou.

This is Amy and Dave's favourite room... the Chapel. The acoustics in there are absolutely amazing!!! Amy sang 'Agnes Dei', Dave whistled, and Joshua yodeled.

We left the Castle Keep and walked down and across a very long bridge in order to cross the Tyne.

Once on the other side we passed The Sage Gateshead, which is a music centre. Joshua rolled all the way down this hill as well. (not where the rocks were).

This is the Millenium Bridge. It is also called the 'Blinking Eye' because it is shaped like an eye and when it tilts it looks like the eye is closing.

The bridge was supposed to tilt at 6:15 pm so we had time to wait. Joshua and Dave wanted some ice-cream while they rested. Daniel just rested.

The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art was just across the way, so we went to have a looksey in it. They had a neat display using blocks. The kids were allowed to try their hands at making a block structure of their own.

Joshua made a beautiful structure!

When we walked out of Baltic we had a sit-down in the middle of the bridge to wait for the tilt.

Unfortunately, they cancelled the tilt (often happens) and we were soon heading back to the bus station. Joshua said his feet was about to fall off because they hurt so much, but he managed to make it to the station with feet intact.

When we got to the Winlaton Station it was beginning to spit (sprinkle). We walked toward home and stopped at the Spar to get some nourishment before heading back down the hill. As we were walking, we heard someone yelling, "David, David, David". We turned around and saw Lorraine (Uncle John and Aunty Laura's daughter) walking toward us.

After having a quick hello with Lorraine we were on our way home where we ate and put up our aching tootsies.

Joshua laid on the blow-up bed with Dave while Amy began blogging, but he was soon to be put to bed along with Daniel.

Then Dave watched a movie (that he did not see the end of) while Amy continued downloading photies.

Thursday morning Amy got back to her blogging. That afternoon Dave, Rob, and Gramps went out to purchase a tent. The one we were going to purchase (for only 20 pounds) was sold out so they ended up getting a whole camping starter set for which Gramps generously donated half of the cost. -Thanks Gramps!!!

Now we are sitting here in the living room listening to Gramps's stories of running as a young lad, traveling to Cape Town for 65 pounds (three people including food), and living in Rhodesia.

Finally, I am done with the longest blog ever and I am DONE!! So I am not saying another word.

Until next time....