A really short walk today, more of a stroll up the coast. But first a boat trip out to the Farne Islands.
Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Shags, and Puffins...PUFFINS...flying around the boat and perched on the edges of the islands. And some seals bobbing around.
My best photo of the puffins
We pass the lighthouse on the island of Longhouse the site of a famous Victorian sea rescue. In the early hours of 7th September 1838 Grace Darling, the daugher of the lighthouse keeper, spotted the wreck and survivors of the ship the Forfarshire on Big Harcar, a nearby rocky island. She rowed out over a mile, in dark treacherous seas, with her father and rescued eight survivors. She was celebrated for her bravery and over £700 was raised to support her (including £50 from Queen Victoria).
Grace Darling by Horatio McCulloch (1838)
We land on Inner Farne, the largest of the islands. A quick look in St Cuthbert's Chapel celebrating where the 7th century monk lived as a hermit for much of his retirement. Then for some more bird watching at close range.
Back on land I walk north up the coast on the beach.
The beach is spotted by rock pools and rock formations like twisted and folded cardboard.
Then a wide stretch of sand (where someone has written by initials).
I get a shot of the castle before the rain comes down and then, at a jog, I head for Bamburgh.
I'm staying with one of my teachers from school and my mate Dunc is meeting me to walk for a couple of days, so I head to the pub to avoid the rain and wait for them.
After some dinner we head out to watch the sunset over the coast.
Alice, me and Dunc!
