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Saturday October 8, 2005 Morning finds up and about early by 7AM. We
collect our things from our room and check out. It is decided to have
breakfast on the way to Alnwick Castle. |
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We
travel along the coast of the North Sea from Edinburgh to Alnwick we
travel the A1 with a stop along the way for breakfast a small diner a
quick exit off the A1 with an easy return. |
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We
have the typical English breakfast eggs, fried bread, mushrooms,
tomatoes, bacon and sausage. Patrick request for one traditional English
breakfast done! |
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About
this time the rain finds us. The rain keeps us from further exploring to
far from the vehicle. We did cross over to the public restrooms and
peeked quickly at the picnic area. I am guessing this place is over run
on sunny days. |
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After
our stop, for breakfast, we return to the road. We arrive at our first
destination of Alnwick Castle. |
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I had
read of it while searching things to do in Northumberland County. It’s
been the sight of many films over the years. |
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The first thing you see as you walk in is a really cool, HUGE tree
house off to the right. |
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This place has separate admission and I believe also houses the
restaurant. |
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I
thought Patrick would enjoy seeing the Castle that had hosted Harry
Potter, Robin Hood (K. Costner) etc. |
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The
rain moved on as we arrived at Alnwick Castle. The views here are
beautiful, sheep dotting the hills, a pretty stream running below the
Castle. Just lovely. |
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We
spend quite some time poking around the exterior of the castle. See the
spot that Harry Potter had his first broomstick-riding lesson. |
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Harry Potter, Harry Potter, Harry Potter... |
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Where's Harry? |
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Shannon sees other kids
rolling around on the lawn she joins them. We quickly put the brakes on
this. Enter the castle. No photography allowed. We see many painting of
times long gone by. I am amazed at the ceilings of this building they
are stunning. Visit many rooms with years of treasures. Beautiful
furniture, objects d’art, the dining room housed many different types of
place settings so very pretty. Towards the end of our tour of we learn
of the
Gun Powder Rebellion. |
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This
catches John’s attention as he has been researching his ancestry seems
there are persons in his background that may have been
involved in this. To me this makes the genealogy thing much more real. I
plan to assist John in digging up these bones. I am sure he’ll be
thrilled! |
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Anyone in there?! |
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Saw
some stunning carriages used for State events. |
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Lady Shannon, Warrior Princess! |
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I claim this school in the name of God and Country! |
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I smite thee, varlet! A little boy about Shannon's age thinks
Patrick looks like he needs a good smiting. |
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Dressed up like Knights and Ladies played a bit in the Knight’s School a
child friendly part of the whole castle experience. As an aside I love
the way the U.K. embraces children into places that normally a child
would find boring. They have found ways to make kids welcome and their
times at these places something to remember. Shannon enjoyed the dress
and the wielding of fake swords, thumping John, Patrick and I until we
are vanquished. Such fun |
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Behold! It is Sir Robin the not as brave as Sir Lancelot...
As we
exited the Castle I notice that a
St. Cloud State University Minnesota has their international studies
program there. Patrick liked the
thought to schooling here. |
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Another shot of the tree house upon our exit. How would you
like to have had this one as a kid? |
