We arrived on Sunday December 29, making the journey up to Seahouses where the high winds and cold rainy weather certainly worked to wake us up.
We’d booked on for one of Billy Shiel’s famous boat trips with the promise of seeing some newly-born seal pups.
The seals were staying warm, with a couple of newly-born seals spotted (Image: NQ Staff) And that promise was certainly delivered as we braved the incredibly strong winds and cold weather on top of the boat to spot seals young and old while we were also treated to the fantastic sight of some dolphins as we were returning to the harbour.
The lighthouse in seahouses (Image: NQ Staff) After the trip on the boat we warmed up with some lunch in a local cafe, and visited some of the shops in the centre, picking up a few late Christmas gifts.
It was then a short drive to our Air BnB in Amble but we did find time to watch the sun, or at least the few rays of sunshine we could see behind the dark grey clouds, go down on a beach.
Dark and cloudy on the beach (Image: NQ Staff) I find that the best places and best people surround themselves with dogs and that is certainly the case on the Northumberland coast with four-legged friends wherever you look, with three even joining us on the boat trip, while several others enjoy trips to the beach in the winter and autumn months.
After warming up again by the fireplace in our home for the next few days, we headed out to the award-winning The Old Boathouse where it would have been foolish to order anything other than freshly-caught fish.
The fish and chips were truly delicious and the trillionaire tart for dessert wasn’t half bad either.
The following day we enjoyed a walk to the medieval Warkworth Castle before a final meal out at the local pub, The Harbour Inn, which had friendly staff and the sort of food that warms the soul. I tucked into a superb homemade lasagne.
My lasagne hit the spot (Image: NQ Staff) After a quick dip in the morning of New Year’s Eve, it was time to go home and celebrate the evening with friends but I would certainly recommend a relaxing trip away to Northumberland for anyone who wants to do something different next Christmas.
Or perhaps if you’re slightly more sane than I, you’ll enjoy the boat trips and beaches in mid summer rather than late December.