Monday 16 July 2012
Would like to have been at home today to see the Olympic torch pass my house but at least I have seen it in Scotland last month.
Today we are off to Alnwick, famous for both its castle and gardens.
The journey only takes about 30 minutes to the coach park which is situated between the castle and gardens. Joy and Bob alight and go off in search of tickets and maps and are gone a long time! I don’t know what happened but they were gone for half an hour before returning with maps for both venues and a ticket that allows entrance to both.
It is 11:00 by the time they are on their way and I go off in search of some diesel so we can get home tomorrow! £314.71 fills up my half empty tank and I go back to reclaim my parking space and the place where everyone shall return at 17:00.
We have done holidays to Alnwick before but I have never driven them and am interested to see what the town has to offer as well as the castle and gardens.
I go for a walk to the castle entrance where I am given a combined entrance ticket and meal voucher to the value of £10.00.
The castle is a fantastic building full of history but is probably best known for its appearance in the Harry Potter films!
While I’m here there is a demonstration for children on how to ride a broomstick and later on today there will be Harry Potter lookalikes here.
I have a whistle stop tour of the castle and then walk through to the gardens where I have a coffee at the entrance. I am not hungry yet so use my voucher for a coffee and bottle of fruit flavoured water with the young girl serving saying I can still spend another £6.00.
I don’t want to spend another £6.00! I only want a drink!
The gardens are quite magnificent with a cascading waterfall down the centre. Very impressive. I am not a great gardener (not any sort of gardener really!) but I like it here. The only thing I don’t like is the lack of any signage to help you navigate your way around. The map is okay but would like a few more pointers. Great place to visit though.
I then walk into the town and it is a typical northern market town with lots of stone buildings and independent shops as well as loads of cafes, bars and restaurants.
I am interested in the White Swan Hotel which is located on the main street and is the hotel we have used on previous tours.
I am warmly welcomed and Diane shows me the magnificent dining room , bar and a typical standard twin bedroom.
I know when Ray came here the last time he said the carpets and decor where in need of updating and that has definitely been done as it is a lovely clean and smart hotel. Must come here next year.
By the time we leave Alnwick everyone seems worn out!
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