In the morning we visited Alnwick Castle which was labelled a ‘must do’ on Mr C’s list.  We both enjoyed revisiting the castle and were rather relieved that we were English Heritage members, which allowed us discounted entry to the castle which normally costs £14.50.  After I bought up yet another book from the gift shop, we lunched in the cafe before driving along the spectacular coastal route towards Bamburgh Castle.

We stopped in Bamburgh so that we could visit St. Aidan’s Church, a place I had never even noticed let alone visited before.  In the graveyard there is shrine over the grave of Grace Darling who was famed for rescuing survivors of a shipwreck in 1838.  Opposite the church is a museum dedicated to Grace Darling, which we have penciled in for a visit next time we are in the area. The church itself was very interesting and well worth a visit. I was quite fascinated by the shadows cast by the Angels that top a recently installed commemoration to St. Aidan.

After which we made our way back towards Crookham so that we could experience the ‘Flodden Drive’ as described in ‘The Battle of Flodden Why & How’ by Clive Hallum-Barker.  Along the way we called in at the Chain Bridge honey farm for a cup of tea in their tea shop which is a converted red double decker bus.  I eyed up the cakes but resisted temptation.  The tour around the battle field was very interesting and gave us more insight into the battle and the Scots’ difficulties due to the contours of the land.  We then returned to the Coach House where I packed my bags before our last dinner of this trip.

When we retired to the guest lounge for after-dinner coffee, Leona commented that she wouldn’t pop over later (to lock up); she needed an early night.  But to our surprise as the last of the other guests were leaving the residents’ lounge, both she and Toby turned up for a quick drink with us on our last night. Suddenly it was 1.45am!!!

Preparing breakfasts and long journeys back home sprung immediately to our minds…

Needless to say I went straight to bed after I entered my room

A moments silence is in order…

This photo depicts the monument that was erected on Piper’s Hill to remember the fallen of both sides.  The memorial cross is positioned approximately where the English formed their battle lines.  A plaque on the north side of the monument states:

FLODDEN
1513
TO THE BRAVE OF BOTH NATIONS
ERECTED 1910

More information about the battle can be found in my Flodden index.

For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.

As an aside from PhotoHunt my heating has now been fixed. Hurrah! One of the valves had gone yet again, the heating system seems to kill them off regularly…

In the near future I will be doing a series of posts based on some of the places that were significant for the Battle of Flodden. But for now I shall leave you with the following words.

For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.

***Index to my posts on Flodden.***