Woke up to a lovely morning so decided to go to Seahouses and check out the trips to the Farne Islands. The weather looked good so we bought our tickets for the 10 am trip. Had a bit of a walk round, it’s really picturesque in a funny sort of a way. Bought some cakes then back to the camper to get the things for the trip. Quite a lot of people going on the early boat - although nowhere near as many as were waiting when we got back - and off we went. 
We toured around quite a few of the islands , slowing down to take pictures of seals, before we landed on Inner Farne. We had about an hour and you are restricted as to were you can go but Les got quite a few photos. Too late for the puffins, though we did see a few flying around. They are here in May and June - we may well come back next year earlier when they are nesting. The trip was great, weather stayed fine and got just a little cloudy when we got back to Seahouses but still warm. Picked up some milk and a couple more cakes. After having some lunch and a snooze we went to have a look at the other camp site.
We are here now (the other site) and it’s much, much, better looking out over Budle Bay and only about a dozen or so campers - it was definitely worth moving. Maybe heading up to Berwick tomorrow - we shall see.
It’s almost 9am, we are drinking our tea and a kestrel has landed on the camper and then on the ground right next to us. The water pump was leaking and making a noise but we think that Les taking a piece off and putting it back and tightening it may have fixed it - we want to get some spares though.
Went to Hexham Abbey this morning (see photo) and the town is really nice. Then had quite a long drive through some beautiful scenery and quite a bit of rain to Alnwick, stopping there to go into the bookshop and also get a bit of shopping. We had stopped earlier in the day at a farm shop which was very disappointing as we thought it would be like the one in Worcestershire, but it was a cabin in someone’s garden. We did, however, find a really good one, by luck, on the road we were supposed to be on - bought some chicken, bacon, eggs and cakes, We should be okay for food for quite a few days.
The campsite at Seahouses is a disappointment, it’s full, almost 200 assorted caravans, campers etc., also lots of kids - should have known better this time of year. Only going to stay the one night - having a look at the other one tomorrow. Trouble is there’s not much else round here unless you are paying £15 a night and we don’t think there is any wild camping. We shall see.
Les is down at the beach taking some photos and it’s a pleasant evening although it has gone chilly.
Off on a week’s holiday to Northumberland! We left about 8am and headed towards Uttoxeter and Derby and picked up the M1 north. Then towards York and Scarborough and stopping at Selby to look at the abbey (see photo). Quite a surprise, small but perfectly formed - and quiet. Spent about an hour there, picked up some bread and cakes and set off again. This time stopping at Lastingham church, would have been nice but they had a festival on so not many photos. We did get down into the crypt - which it is famous for - but not much else.
Then for a drive over the moors heading for Whitby - took some pictures of the parish church, then a bit of a walk round. Les went to get the camper while I got the fish and chips which we ate at Cowbar, our stop for the night. Weather has been mostly good and quite warm - looking forward to more tomorrow when we head further north.
