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…

A short post today as we prepared to say farewell to Dunbar and Annabel’s family, including the Australian contingent. So Sunday morning found us packing, and sorting ready to load – stuff – stack – the car with our worldy belongings, ready for the 8 hour journey south on the next day. The afternoon, –…

Fair to say it was a day when the child came out – physically as I entertained Annabel’s 4 year old nephew on the soft play frames – and mentally as I took a childish – let’s get wet opportunity – all for a photo – we must suffer for our art. Waking up with…

Lunchtime, and I found myself ambling down to Dunbar harbour as I chatted to a friend from Liskeard on the phone. Whipped up by the Autumn winds, the North sea was venemously smashing waves over Meikel Spiker, Scart Rock and Lawrie’s Den; the spectacle of white breakers racing into the shore line, and then breaking…

I escaped…..Annabel having a networking meeting, and then, in the afternoon rightly paying her pentience for the use of her sisters’ flat, by working in the local Bowe Sports & Leisurewear – a very good Dunbar store, for all of those fashion, sports and clothing needs I will say. This meant I had an opportunity…

Sums up the day. We had agreed a working day, to give ourselves a chance to catch up – we then also decided to try some of the local fish and chips, and relax in the flat. Feet up, I even attempted to do some sketching….a relaxing day.

Dunbar is a few miles up the coast from Skateraw and Annabel’s family have a lot of connections in the town. We were kindly offered the use of Annabel’s sister’s flat for a few days, which would give everyone a chance to catch up. So Tuesday saw us doing the short drive from Greenlaw to…

Monday I had a cunning plan, sadly the plan went of the rails in a work led way. While Annabel went into Kelso, I hoped to get some jobs done, and then go off to explore the local area. However, a hours job turned into a nightmare of slow broadband, updates and grumpy computers….but we…

Sunday was very much about memories and family time, as Annabel caught up with her mum, dad and sisters. For me it was a chance to explore a bit more of the beach and locations that mean a lot to Annabel’s family. Inparticular, this included the beach at Skateraw where family holidays camping were enjoyed.…

If you can’t be inspired with a drive up the east coast from Newcastle to Scotland, there is something missing. The strong imposing hills of the Northumberland national park carve the horizon on your left, or if you are fortunate to have the time and weather, turn a drive into an exciting set of hills,…