Last weekend we met up with the chums from the 2008 (crikey) Norwegian cruise, down in Beadnell on the Northumbrian coast. Part of this journey involved the most sedate drive of ever down the A1, stuck as we were behind a slow moving something; despite the thirty minutes we spent behind it I never did work out what it was.  But it was grand to see everyone again, especially all looking well.  Trips included a walk on Carol’s beach to find teeny cowrie shells, and three hours easily and happily lost in this place – Barter Books of Alnwick.

Carol very kindly gave us a beautiful lantern designed and made by her daughter Poppy.  Poppy sells her designs here and you don’t need me to tell you that Papaver is Latin for Poppy.   All in all a most enjoyable weekend, it’s good to have a break in the dark days of late winter.