Leaving Hartlepool, I decided to get off the main highways, and go up the coast, as far as I could. what an interesting and fun drive. I could have stopped at so many places and taken so many photo's. Oh wait, I did... It truly is a magical coastline to drive up, and I often thought of how similar it is to NZ, with the road next to the coast, then darting inland through farmland, then back to the coast.
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Souter lighthouse, Britains first purpose built
lighthouse for an Electric light!
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The Whitburn coast is full of jagged rocky points like this
really reminded me of home. |
After travelling along the coast for quite some time, and going through the tunnel under the river Tyne, I came across the township of Warkworth. Driving into the town, you are meet with the Warkworth Castle. A really stunning centre piece of the town, atop the highest point around. I walked right around the castle, just touching it, took you back in time. The moat system around the castle is still intact and the remnants of what would have been a series of locks that filled it are still there (had a local chap point them out to me)
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| I'm actually standing in the moat! |
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The Warkworth Bridge, over the river Coquet. It's a 14th Century bridge, listed as a national ancient monument.
It carried all traffic across the river for 600 years before the new bridge was built in the 60's. And yes, I walked over it. |
Ah gart it tae scootlund, fin times aheid
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| At the Scottish Border |
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| Wiremu, just before he had a catastrophic accident |
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| The Scottish coastline! My First look |
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| I'm here!! With my great friends Mike and Vicki. Linlithgow!! |
Linlithgow is a town of around 20,000 people (According Vickipedia) and is just steeped in history. the is the royal palace of Queen Mary of Scots. up close you can see many battle scars of the Palace with lots and lots of cannon damage. Vicki and Mike took me right around it, and once again, touching it just takes you back to place I could not have imagined before.
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Right up next to the Palace, such history,
and a boot camp going on |
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Linlithgow, and so many of these
incredible streets with views you dream of |
GLASGOW
Arriving in Glasgow, in the rain, and walking around, it's so obvious rain is the norm here, lots of people just walking around no hats and coats, was kinda cool to watch people. The important event in Glasgow, was the Somerville Foundation get together. Aptly named "Meet the Kiwi" was just awesome meeting Gill whom I've been friends with online for years, and we always have a great laugh, and our meeting face to face meeting was no different. Special times.
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| Left to right, Gill, Michelle (her first Somerville meeting), Vicki, Me and Mike. |
Despite the rain, Glasgow is a fabulous city to walk around and the views from the Lighthouse towers (Not an actual lighthouse) were quite stunning, and you can see how industrial the city is.
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| The tiny spiral staircase to the top of old tower |
A really nice Japanese lunch just hit the spot today.
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| Ashton Lane! Aka Beer Alley. A stunning little lane, right in the heart of the city full of great little pubs and eateries |
To finish the day, Vicki and Mike took me to Queensferry for dinner and dinner was just great, the company absolutely outstanding, and the view outstanding. Great hosts, and the absolute best of friends
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