Cullercoats - Day 6

Today has been Rosebud's birthday... we so miss being with our children for this special day. But we know she has had a ball, with her siblings and grandparents spoiling her. Her birthday being extended by a full 12 hours because are away, we sang her Happy Birthday last night, and It's Your Birthday tonight. 

Yesterday the weather turned cold...and today it seems colder! I'm so glad I brought my gloves and my best jacket. 

We went out to Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland. Walked around the gardens, explored the house and then listened to a "potted talk" on the place. This was supposed to be half an hour, and being at 12:30, and so very cold, I was rather hungry. The talk...went...for...50 minutes! In the COLD!!! Even Christian was cold! After which we went straight to the car and I had lunch in the car with my seat warmer on. [Who invented seat warmers? I want to give this person a medal! I want a seat warmer in my next car!]

They had a second hand bookshop at the entrance to the hall...Christian was in his element!

This one is for you Tank...ha-ha!

This leather jerkin was used in the first battle for Charles I, the Battle for Edgehill: 23rd October 1642
The English Civil Wars.

The back of the house.

The ordered woods and gardens...

A pheasant...this one is for you Tank (can't shoot him though)

From the front, this house could have been in Pride and Prejudice.

Would have gone closer but...ha-ha!

The house was damaged by fire in 1822, so it's in a state of restoration.

The wine cellar here is huge! And they have an ice room.

That there is a wig folks! A mighty, big wig!

He had good information...just very slow in getting it out.

We then took the time to have tea and scones at the cafe there. My hands being so cold, they gave me an extra teapot of hot water...they didn't see me coming! That meant I used up all the tea in my pot and filled it again (and also that my hands and body were SO much warmer).

I'm cold...very cold!

The sun came out...that's it in the top corner...that's the first time we have seen the sun in days!

We made our second attempt to see the Tynemouth Priory, and failed again because we had failed to notice that due to the date they only open on the weekend. So we went for a walk around the headland instead.

To round off our day we drove into Newcastle Cathedral for Evensong. Whilst here we saw the castle that gives Newcastle its name. It is the new castle, being built by William the Conquerer's son. The old castle was built by the Romans (and there's nothing to see of it now).

This is the last photo I have of my hat...which I NEED by the way. I lost it somewhere in Newcastle Cathedral...clearly someone else needed it more.

I think they called this the crypt, but it looks a lot like a Norman chapel to me. 

Love the artwork here at one of the chapels.