Northumberland :: part I

Now before I begin my holiday waffles, can I just first of all say a big thank you for all your warm welcome-home messages on yesterdays post. I truly appreciated it, made me feel better in amidst all the boring bits of dirty domesticity yesterday which very nearly had me in a heap. ((thank you))

So :: Holiday Tales for the rest of this week, I hope I'm not going to send you off yawning, I'm always a little wary of blabbering on about holidays as it's not everyones cup of tea I know. I've managed to organise my snaps into three parts, so today, without further delay, I give you Part I :: in which we Potter Around the Local Environs of Craster.

 

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you will know about this place already as it has become a familiar part of our Summer. We've been staying in the teeny-tiny village of Craster since 2005 when the Little People were just Little Tots, and have come to love it dearly. This was our third year staying in the very same house in Craster too, the little white house called Driftwood at the end of the row there, with it's quirky charms and the most stunning sea views. The house was as warm, cosy and welcoming as we had remembered it to be, the garden was in full flower and full of fluttering butterflies, and the sound of the sea just a few metres away was oooooooohhhhhhhhhhh just fabulous.

The weather in Northumberland last week was mixed. There were two quite wet days, which was kind of to be expected really :: we still ventured out on the wet days, made the best of them, and in a way it did serve to make us apreciate the dry days even more. And yes, there were some dry days too, some terrifically warm, hot, glorious sunny summer days, and oh we did enjoy those to the full!

When in Craster, one can really, seriously Potter, and oh my goodness, there's not a lot I enjoy more than a jolly good Potter by the Sea. In fact, Pottering around Craster is a real delight. There is not a lot here in the way of facilities, amusements or attractions, yet this little fishing harbour is hugely charming and offers up the simple pleasures of holidaying by the sea. Strolling leisurely about, breathing in the salty, smoky air, watching the little fishing boats coming and going, searching for shells on the little beach and sea creatures in the rockpools, admiring the little fishermans cottages with their seasidey gardens and generally just breathing it all in.

This year, the mermaid statue had been moved from her position down by the harbourside where she used to nestle beside the boats, and she was now proudly up on her own grassy bank with her very own beautiful floral boat. We walked past her most days to say hello, en route to the playground swings or the tiny harbour beach or the Fishermans Arms.

We Pottered in Craster at all times of day :: sometimes for early morning rockpooling, sometimes for a post-dinner stroll along the breezy cliffs, sometimes on a quest for an afternoon icecream or a lunch time pint of beer. It was always leisurely, relaxed, fun and happy :: the true essence of Summer Holidays.

 

The little front gardens belonging to the row of cottages around the harbour never fail to delight me. They contain a mix of old lobster pots, bleached wooden benches and dinky little wooden gates, pebbles and driftwood and rambling flowers that makes my heart squeeze. I just love the slightly chaotic nature of them, the fact that most of them verge on being quite unkempt, yet they look so beautiful to me.

I especially love this flower which grows vigorously in almost every seaside place I know. It's called Valerian and to me is a real reminder of summertimes spent by the sea.

There was lots of it growing in the back garden of Driftwood, and day after day it was a magnet for dozens of butterflies. It self-seeds freely and can happily grow out of walls and rocks, so I am guessing it's quite hardy. I managed to collect some seeds from the garden and am hoping, hoping, hoping I might be able to successfully cultivate some valerian in my own Yorkshire garden. If the seeds don't work out, I think I'll have to splurge and buy myself a plant or two.

Being so close to the sea is a thrill I never tire of, I am a real sea-junkie. And staying at Driftwood gave me a daily dose of sea-fix in such large quantities that at times it was quite overwhelming. As you probably know by now, I am fascinated by the weather and the skies, whether at home or on holiday. It gives me huge pleasure to observe the changing light and colours and I love the overall connection with nature that sky-watching brings.

In Craster, well Northumberland in general, the skies are huuuuuuuuuge. Great uninterrupted expanses of them overhead, and much of my time at Driftwood was spent gazing out of the open window. Some days the weather was really extraordinary. It would be quite bright and sunny in Craster, yet out at sea we could clearly see a big rainstorm was on it's way. This made for some of the most amazing rainbows I have ever seen :: huge, bright, perfect arcs of colour above the horizon.

The rainbows were so big that I couldn't photograph the whole of them, only the end bits which touched down into the sea. But oh, they were glorious! The two pictures above were taken on two different afternoons...in the second picture, you might just be able to make out the two figures walking round the harbour :: Little Man wearing his bright red raincoat and J in blue. Me and Little Lady were content to stay warm and dry and watch out the window.

And then there were the early morning skies too. Oh. My. Goodness. Such beauty. And such colour!

To open ones eyes in the early morning (we slept with the curtains and windows wide open) to this view was something that really, really gave me the heebie jeebies. Words cannot describe.

Our summer holiday this year was everything we hoped it would be. Each year we visit, we notice our Little People growing bigger, walking further, exploring more, and I am very aware that they are now at an age where their memories will stick and last. I just love the thought of our little seaside holidays being woven into their precious Childhood.

Well, thank you so much for sharing with me, it's been wonderful to have your company. Please do drop by for part II tomorrow, in which we Explore All Things Beachy and Seasidey.

See you then.....

xxxxxx

Comments

[Rachel]

Oooohhhh just lovely. I love our country!

Those pebbley gardens and lobster pots are amazing, I want a pebbley seaside home.

[Ailsa]

When our children were younger we had a holiday in Craster and one of your photos shows the cottage we stayed in - it's a small world.

There are lots of places in the UK I love and Northumberland is one of them. On Sept 12th we go to Devon, another of my favorites

[Chaton]

I have really enjoyed reading your holiday posts, and looking at the gorgeous pictures.

Some of the pictures in the first post, especially the harbour, seemed familiar, then I realised it was because some of the TV series 'Distant Shores' was shot in Craster!

[hilde]

I like your photos, they are beautiful!!

[Heather]

Valerian is such a sea-sidey plant! There is masses and masses of it at Pevensey Bay (East Sussex) and now my mum has a huge amount of it growing in the front garden (Northants). It's finished now but comes back with a vengeance next year so if your seeds don't work out I'm sure I can pinch you a bit for your garden :-)

[Clicky Needles]

Your pictures are lovely - thanks for sharing we all feel like we've with you too!

[Jody]

Nice to have you back and glad you had a nice holiday. Looking forward to your next crochet inspiration too.

[Cat]

Those sunsets are just peachy. City breaks are great, but I am pining for a bit of sea.

[heleen]

your pictures are beautifull! love the rainbow! seems you had a great time.

[lulu]

i would love to live right there by the sea...

[Vicki]

What a beautiful countryside! I'm adding it to my "to travel to" list...I really must confer with you about the "must sees"...you're a marvel at the off-the-beaten-path places...the things I crave to see :-)
~Vicki

[wendy]

It looks a wonderful place my kind of holiday

[Shelley in SC]

As usual, totally dreamy!! How did you ever leave? I especially love the pics of the early morning sun.

[ara]

I like very much your works and I visit very much your blog.
Kisses.

[Joolz]

Such lovely pictures - makes me want to visit right now.

Enviously, Joolz

[jane]

glorious photos, and thanks for sharing your holiday with us (me). i love the coast! and the rocks, and flowers and water. everything. and no laundry when i get home! well, i pretend i go along. it feels that way. hope the seeds do well for you! jkj

[Lydia]

I won't tell if you don't! I was in Craster on Friday - good job I've given up trying to crochet, otherwise I could have knocked on your door... Lordy, that makes me sound a bit stalker-ish(& I am not!) Did you like the gallery?

Your photo's are as lovely as ever.

Love Lydia xx

[katie]

Sounds like such a dreamy trip--the rain as well as the shine. I adore stormy weather at the beach.

Welcome back!

[Suz]

Thanks Lucy...must be the talented person behind the camera then hehe...such wonderful photos they are
Suz x

[Steph]

Wow what a wonderful break - I feel as if I've been away myself. Thanks Lucy, I do enjoy your holiday diaries.

I love simple holidays, just a harbour, some rockpools and plenty of ice cream will do me!

We stayed in Bamburgh and Seahouses on our honeymoon and loved the beautiful landscapes and coastline. Craster looks wonderful, I feel a trip coming on soon!

Welcome home and looking forward to seeing your exciting sounding patchwork project progress.
Love Stephx

[michelle]

Your holidays are so like mine with my children,rock pools and ice cream etc.My oldest baby(boy) is now 13 and my little girl 10 and they still love exploring .They say to me often they will never forget these holidays and happy times, yours will say the same when they are older.

[Suz]

Beautiful butterfly!...any chance of info on your choice of camera?....l know its more the person behind the thing but a good camera could maybe help improve my snaps!....always interested in peeps choice of camera

Looking forward to the hol update and pictures
Glad you all had a great time
x

[Jane]

Looks lovely as always, I hope you had kippers for breakfast, while you were in Craster

Love Jane

[alisonb2]

Heavenly bliss and memories. I just love the sea and I haven't been this year yet - yet!!!!

[Sue Purveur]

Hi Lucy
Such beautiful pictures. Thank you so much for sharing them. Memories are, indeed, made of this.
And by the way, if your valerian seeds don't grow, my garden is full of plants, so you will be more than welcome to some, if you would like. Sue x