This morning I woke up late, intentionally, and did not feel much like going walking. I am very cozy here in my Sun Studio suite, and I imagined a day of lazing about, finishing the novel I am reading, having multiple sessions of coffee and biscuits… Also, my knees were sore and the morning was grey, with rain predicted by the afternoon. But, I really did want to go up on Church Hill, so I decided that I would go at least that far and then decide from there whether to continue on to Warkworth.
I took the road out of town, crossed the river Aln, and continued on the road for another kilometer before the path turned south and travelled along the outside edge of the estuary marshes, with views of the town and Church Hill in the distance.
The trail had to go a long way south before it could swing around and head back towards the town and Church Hill.
At the base of the hill, on the west side, was the ruins of a small chapel, built in 1870.
I climbed atop Church Hill and was surprised to see that the cross is made of wood. I took pictures straight on, to the left looking over the estuary and harbour, and to the right towards the sea. Then I sat for a while and enjoyed the views.
Then I had to decide whether to walk to Warkworth. It had already been a lengthy walk all the way around the estuary to get to Church Hill (I was wishing the ferrymen were still in operation), and would be not too much further, maybe an additional two kilometers or so, to carry on to Warkworth instead of return to Almouth. Originally, I had pictured myself walking on the long beautiful beach to Warkworth, but beach walking is harder on my knees so I decided to take the inland trail behind the dunes.
At times, the trail had an overlook of the beautiful beach below and I was a little sad to not be walking down there.
But, I was also happy on the trail, and lost in thought, along the trail behind the dunes, then beside a golf course, and then rising to a surprise view of Warkworth Castle across a tilled field, just as the rain was starting. Almost there!
I walked over the lovely River Coquet on the old bridge, and quickly found a bus stop and a nearby seat that was sheltered from the rain. I would explore this town, and its castle and historic center tomorrow.
I caught the first bus going north, but it was not going all the way into Alnmouth, so I had an additional mile walk in the now pouring rain to my accommodation. But that was okay, because this was in my future.
I dried out, relaxed, and was having my dinner when I noticed a rainbow outside my window. Not really wanting to, but feeling I should (this was how my day started), I put my wet boots back on and headed out to the beach to take these last photos of the beautiful Northumberland seaside at Alnmouth.
Goodnight.
Beautiful shots despite damp toes.