While college is frustrating me a little at the moment - and I'm not really moaning... life can't all be roses all the time - the rest of my life has been fairly manic, interesting and I have recently seen quite a lot of old acquaintances which has been a great deal of fun!! Some friends came over from France to visit family and managed a flying visit to Amble and lunch on the little shore with us. It was really good to see them both. Another old friend (in fact very old friend we were saturday girls together) was visiting with her family on holiday in the area so I was able to have a nice walk at Craster and a good catch up. Also my very good friends - featured on my blog previously with the amazing kitchen extension and two bonkers dogs came to stay for a few days and we scooted up and down various beaches, coffee shops and castles...
After walking the dogs on Low Newton beach , we aimed for a bit of culture, but deciding Alnwick Castle was too expensive for a short visit we instead ate cake and drank coffee in an Alnwick coffee shop and then the next day walked on a near deserted Almouth beach and we then visited Bamburgh Castle.
It was my first time to the castle at Bamburgh and I will certainly take future visitors there instead of Alnwick. It is a much more impressive castle with lots more to to look at and spectacular views up and down the coast. It dates back over a 1000 years but has had many different additions and changes over time giving it an eclectic interesting feel and and an abundance of character. Its full of different artifacts and what I could only describe as knick knacks - some more interesting than others. Owned by the Armstrongs it is slightly reminiscent of Cragside - loads of china and paintings but still holding very much its own character.
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| beautiful detailed patchwork and embroidered Curtains made by prisoners from Crimean War uniforms to recognise their humanitarian treatment |
There was also a collection of ceramic ware on show which dated back to the 17th century but could easily be in any contemporary collection. Stunning gold glaze with very stylistic and modern bird motif - very beautiful
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| Hispano Moresque Ceramics 17th Century |
Another interesting visit this week was to the Bailiffgate Museum in Alnwick. We went primarily to visit and view my raggy rug which was in an exhibition there but found the rest of the museum quite interesting. It is housed in an old catholic church which isn't evident until you go upstairs but there are some fine examples of stained glass in the ceiling and currently a lovely collection of clippy rugs. Mine was there in its rugged ragged glory - I was surprised how nice it looked laid in its little glass box. Some of the other exhibits were stunning - very detailed and intricate and some fairly amazing designs. It was obvious that some of the exhibitors were a tad more experienced than myself... and likely to stay that way as I think that is probably my limit for clippy rugs.
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| my rug encased.. |
there were lots of favourite rugs but this one I really liked made as a community venture
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| Made by local community at Barresdale Community Centre Alnwick |
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