The Day of the Dolphins. (Northumberland) October 26th. 

  A Monday walk out for Margaret, Brian, Dave and I. Starting and finishing in that familiar coastal village, Craster, familiar walk too but for a change we are going to do it clockwise. Easily followed without a map but the walk is covered by OS Explorer 332 Alnwick and Amble.

The walk, which is mostly flat was chosen in part to allow me to try out my knee brace on a cross country stroll. The brace is designed to assist sufferers from Osteo arthritis.

                                                              Wow

To get to Craster folow the A1 north, turn off for Denwick just beyond Alnwick and follow signs. There is a large car park on the right as you enter the village, in an old quarry, close to the old information centre and toilets. £4 for a whole 24 hours which is not a lot in a car share, not that we would in these difficult days of course.

                  Sunny start to the day but signs of recent rains and promises of more to come.

We walked down to the Shoreline cafe for breakfast. It was quite busy and seating is restricted these days so we chose to eat outside. The seats were a little wet but as we all carry those foldable mats we made use of them.

Having feasted we walked down to the coastal path and headed south. We had not gone far when we spotted a lady excitedly pointing out to sea and telling her children to watch the dolphins. So we joined in, as did most people around us. Not too often seen near here, there were several pods of the creatures frolicking in the water, leaping out  and splashing back.

               The dolphins we saw were too far away to photograph on my compact camera. This is from the internet, thanks to somebody.

Having watched their antics for a while we walked on along the footpath that follows the coast on the cliff tops. Not very high but very scenic. Recent rain had made the path muddy and slippy. It is half term, there were many families out for a walk, happy, enthusiastic toddlers and sullen teenagers resentful of their parents insisting a walk would be fun.

              Along the way (St Oswald's Way, another fairly long walk we keep coming across)

We walked past Black Hole, Cutternose Point and Rumbling Kerns before arriving at the point where the Howick Burn enters the north sea.

This cottage was built as a "bathing hut" for the ladies of Howick Hall. It is now a holiday home for rent.

                       Howick Burn enters the North Sea. On the far side of the stream a fresh water spring comes out of the rocks.

                                                                    Enough said.

At this point we turned north again and took the path marked as a National Cycle Route which becomes a muddy farm track heading to Sea Houses. The farmer was having a chat with his large lokking bull, patting it in a friendly way on the head. It seemed not to mind.

At the farm we turned left and walked up the road to the car park at Howick Hall. The Hall is the home of the Grey family, one made it as Prime Minister and introduced the 1833  ReformAct which extended the vote by about 1%. He is also responsible for Earl Grey tea.

The car park was declared a good Herbie Spot, even though there was a light drizzle. Margaret realised that she had left her mat at the Shoreline Cafe so we had a slight change of plan and decided, after Herbie, to head back to Craster to retrieve it. 

                      Bonus car park; Howick Hall

Our picnic table at Howick Hall. The sun has just come out. We shared Titans, almond slices and savoury buns and apple cake from Mrs A.

Having eaten we walked down a lane and across  fields to Hips Heugh. The field had a border of sun flowers.

                Sunflowers, planted for feathery wildlife

               Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain.

We crossed a minor road and another field before we were back in Craster. having retrieved the missing mat we walked past the harbour towards Dunstanburgh Castle.

                                 Craster harbour

                      The ruined Dunstanburgh castle.

beyond the castle Dave and I walked the edge of the golf course, Margaret and Brian the slightly longer route on the sands, but we all met up again at Dunstan Steads and took the concrete strip through the farmyard towards Dunstan Square.

                           Sand bag bunker and a lime kiln between Dunstan Steads and Dunstan square.

From the square we walked down the field and turned right through a gate and took the path behind the Heughs back to Craster. 

Changed we headed for the Cook and Barker at Newton on the Moor, just off the A1 south of Alnwick.

They had Timothy Taylor's Landlord too, end of a grand day out.

Contains OS data, copyright. Crown Copyright and database right 2020.

The walk is about 10.2 miles. mostly flat and easy going, apart from the mud.

And a few more