In the grounds of Belsay Hall and Castle in Northumberland there is a strange labyrinth of pathways through rocky gorges. It is an unusual and slightly magical place and although the paths in most places are wide and well trodden it is easy to feel lost and alone, even on a day when there are lots of visitors.
I spent a really nice afternoon here with my mum a couple of years ago and looking back at these pictures I am reminded of that day.
Stereotype or harsh reality? Well on today's experience at Hadrian's Wall it's reality, it was bitterly cold up on the wall.
The first two pictures are views of the remains of the granary which is centrally located within the fort at Housesteads, showing the floor supports which would have allowed the hot air to circulate to dry out the grain.
The last two shots are slightly different views looking east along the wall, picture three from the gate house on the North Gate and the final shot from further along the northern edge of the wall.
The wall and fort are really quite spectacular and well worth a visit, next time though I will go when the sun is out and there is less of a wind.
It's Christmas Eve (Yay :) ) and I don't really expect too many people to be sat at their computers or checking their smartphones to look at this blog, not when there's presents to wrap and mince pies to put out for Santa but I determined to post something every day and so here is today's offering.
All of the above images are of the village of Blanchland a conservation village in the Derwent Valley in Northumberland, as you can see it was a cold, wet and grey day and the monochrome images set the atmosphere really well.
The first two pictures show the White Monk Tea Rooms which is a nice place to get spot of lunch or afternoon tea.
Anyway enjoy the pictures and more importantly have a fab Christmas. Look out tomorrow for what I hope will be a festive post... and look out on Boxing Day for a special announcement!!!
