Rock pooling

Having earlier bought fishing nets it was time to sample the delights of the many rock pools.

Bamburgh Castle in the distance...

...Tine & Les enjoying the view (well wrapped-up notice)!

Kids in action!

Now joined by George, definitely in his element.

Alfie with one of his finds...

...and George with one of his.

A couple of arty shots to finish...

...looking into the bucket!

A big thank you to Les, Clare & Anna for sharing their photos used in the last two posts👏😀

Boat trip

Don't be fooled by the lovely weather in these photos. It was bitterly cold!

Approaching one of the main Farne Islands (there are between 15 & 20 islands depending on the tide).

Thankfully there's no 'smellovision' with this blog. Can you spot the puffins on the rocks?

The famous lighthouse where Grace Darling, the daughter of the keeper, helped rescue 9 people from a grounded paddle steamer.

And no, your eyes aren't fooling you. The islands are home to a colony of seals too.

Betty reckoned they looked like giant slugs!

Now some group shots

Simon & Nadine

Betty, Nadine & Anna (your faithful blogger gazing into the distance).

Betty with her Papy.

Nana Les with her two grandaughters, Eve & Lucy

Clare, the back of James, moi & Anna

The six children got on so well: Alfie, James, Arthur, Lucy, Eve & Betty

Is Betty warming Tine up, or is it the other way round?

Finally, Simon with Alfie & Bets.

More about Grace Darling here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Darling

Trip to the Farne Islands

Next morning we were all set for a boat trip to the Farne Islands, a trip Tine & I have each done with school groups.

The Rescue RNLI statue

View towards Bamburgh Castle...

...and  round to the Farnes.

The happy couple, dressed for the elements. Don't be fooled by the blue skies!

The kids loved shopping. I wasn't sure they got much value for money really.

All the youngsters: Alfie, James, Arthur, Eve, Betty & Lucy...

...and joined by Nadine, Les, Anna, Simon,Tine, your faithful blogger & Clare. Raye & George stayed 'home' to look after the dogs.

A few days in Seahouses

We cheekily invited ourselves to gatecrash Les's family's get-together, keeping it a secret from Clare & Anna.

You can tell you're well on your way when you spot Antony Gormley's 'Angel of the North.'

We were first to arrive at Seahouses so what more was there to do than have a drink awaiting Nadine & co.

It wasn't planned but we had three caravans in a row.

The wine's flowing and Nadine, Tine & Les are having a good catch-up.

Clare & Anna, as lovely as ever!

Si & Anna with one of the three dogs with us too!

Nadine's playing with Betty...

...whilst Alfie watches on, Les, Anna & Si looking very happy for us all to be together.

Visiting Silv & a few extra photos

We can't manage it every time we're in the UK but we love going across the Pennines to visit our sister-in-law, Silv. Since the last time we saw her she's had important surgery on her wrists and moved homes, so we had a lot to catch up on.

My sister Kate, Silv & Tine on yet another glorious day.

Silv & Tine chatting alongside the kitchen. The apartment is on the ground floor just behind them.

It's very cosy...

...and we were very happy to see her settled there.

Back in Bradford...

...we couldn't resist searching out where the final scene in Virdee took place, on the roof of the block to the left of the photo

Return to the van and a lovely glass of rosé...

...whilst young Sacha is skiing with Papa Matt in Val Torens. The likeness between father & son here is incredible!

Walk down to Bingley

It's great that we can walk down to Bingley to meet friends, normally taking about an hour. Plus taxis are so cheap in our part of Yorkshire that you don't have to walk back!

The first bit is trickier through the old Salts estate.

Down by the River Aire the path is easier...

...and you might spot a heron going fishing.

It's the beginning of April and the first bluebells are making an appearance...

...wild garlic too.

The pussy willow is developing.

And why to Bingley?

To meet Steve & Maddie at our favourite curry house, of course.

Another day Philippe came to visit...

 ...and we were FORCED to have a drink at the Birches pub. The sacrifices we make 😂.