May 2025: Leaving Bamburgh, Northumberland

Yesterday the visit to Holy Island had been the last place that we had wanted to see on this trip to Northumberland. After breakfast we loaded up the car and planned to visit Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Blyth and St Mary’s Lighthouse.

Day 8: 16th May 2025: Bamburgh, Northumberland

Before we left Bamburgh we drove through the town and then out towards the Bamburgh Castle golf course.

The last image image shows just how tight the parking is on the Windurg road. We stopped as I wanted to see if I could replicate the images of the castle that had decorated the walls of the rented house.

As we drove South, heading for Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, a warning appeared on the car’s dashboard. The battery in my key fob was about to fail. As we passed through Amble we stopped at the Morrisons supermarket there. This was on the off chance that we could get batteries and hopefully a small screwdriver.

We managed to get both batteries and a set of precision screwdrivers – problem fixed!

16th May 2025: Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland

Newbiggin-by-the-Sea was one of the places that we had stopped at when Southbound after the Northumbria workshop in July 2021. This visit we were not “on the clock” and we allowed ourselves time to walk along the promenade to have a look at The Couple Statue..

The Caffè Bertorelli looked interesting and we joined a a small group of visitors having drinks there. I broke my dietary rules and after enjoying my cake I ordered a delicious bacon sandwich. The ones being delivered to tables around had us smelt wonderful!

These posters promised interesting musical events in the area. The tide was out and I took this silhouette of The Couple Statue in the bay.

Walking back to the car park here’s the small version of The Couple Statue, great clouds and the puffin decorations we passed near the car park.

From my two guide books Newbiggin-by-the-Sea is on page 57 of The Photographer’s Guide to Northumberland and on page 204 of Photographing Northumberland.

16th May 2025: Blyth, Northumberland

Blyth was a new place to visit for both of us. Incredibly a white Scorpion tank rolled past us in the opposite direction as I parked off Links Road.

We crossed to the Blyth promenade and above us were the WW2 gun emplacements of the Blyth Battery. I chatted to a guy who was washing the “guns”. His father had been stationed here guarding the coast.

As we walked back to our car the area below the promenade was being transformed into a military camp by enactors ready for the upcoming scelebrations for the anniversary for VE day at Blyth..

From my guide book Blyth is on page 59 of The Photographer’s Guide to Northumberland.

16th May 2025: St Mary’s Lighthouse

Our last stop was at St Mary’s Lighthouse.

From my two guide books St Mary’s Lighthouse is on page 63 of The Photographer’s Guide to Northumberland and on page 248 of Photographing Northumberland.

16th May 2025: Rainton, North Yorkshire

I made another pilgrimage to RAF Leeming’s visitor viewing area. Sadly after over thirty minutes we gave up and left for the comfort of The Bay Horse Country Inn.