Confluence

After a morning spent sorting out a little more in the spare room, while MrM continued the woodwork at the end of the hall, we decided to recharge our batteries and get out for a walk this afternoon.

The weather inland wasn't as good as the forecast had implied so, after a trip to the tip, we headed for the coast. From the National Trust car park at Newton Steads we walked along the beach as far as Long Nanny, a stream that flows in to the sea. By the bridge over Long Nanny we joined the Coastal Path and walked back behind the dunes. The Blip (best viewed large) shows the confluence of Brunton Burn and Long Nanny, viewed from the bridge. A short (just over 2 miles) but varied walk, just right for blowing away the cobwebs on a blustery March afternoon!

It was almost dinner time when we reached the van, and we decided to treat ourselves to a roast dinner at the Royal Oak in Alnwick, as long as the pub wasn't too busy. It wasn't, and we enjoyed a very tasty meal - exactly 2 years to the day since we'd last had a meal out. How lovely to get back home without having to cook or do the washing up...

The real 'icing on the cake' of the afternoon came on the way to Alnwick - watching thousands of starlings swooping around in the sky above Rennington. They never achieved one of those coherent swirling shapes, but they were  an amazing sight all the same!

Extras -
The view across the bay to Beadnell, where the lime kilns are clearly visible.
Long Nanny flowing in to the sea.
Gulls in flight near Long Nanny bridge, in hazy March sunshine.
A few of the starlings in flight.