Car loaded – final coffee with Annabel’s sister in her Dunbar sport shop, and the A1 south to Oakhanger in Hampshire.
By chance my parents had come up to Houghton-Le-Spring so we agreed a rendezvous at Lumley Castle, which fitted perfectly into our lunchtime needs.
This castle with origins in 1388 as a manor house – is a location I have explored and enjoyed before, the buiding is rich in local, nation and family history, and today is a well presented hotel, bar and golf course.
I always found the Castle one of character, with a presence of the past in every corridor and room – it is a location I recommend as a pit-stop just off the A1.
From Lumley Castle we headed down the through the counties of England, A1, M18, M1, M25, M3, A331, A31, A325, Forge Road and Oakhanger.
22:00 arrival – a quick chat with our new hosts, and brief introduction to our new k9 charges – and bed.
