Northumberland

Last time we visited Northumberland, Les was house-hunting in Hexham. We loved her new home and we now have a destination with many fantastic sites on the doorstep.

For example Chesters Fort, one of the many Roman forts by Hadrian's Wall... 

...with its beautiful setting overlooking the River Tyne.

This was the Roman Baths area...

...with its amazing system of water channels...

...and odd visitors in the sauna...

...and in the changing area for the bath.

A short drive away we introduced Les to Brunton Turret...

...formerly a look-out tower along the wall

Next day we drove to Allendale but it was bitterly cold. Even so I had to stop to take this photo of rolls of hay, all ready for winter feed.

Hexham itself and a lovely walk along the Tyne

Back to Les's: George, Eve & Arthur completely at home...

...Les & Anna too (and guess whose socks they are)!

Back to Dronfield

It was only a few weeks since we'd seen Alfie & Betty here in La Tranche but as usual we'd noticed big changes.

Alfie is getting more confident in the local playpark...

...and Betty's enjoying it too!

We took Alfie to school on several days. What an idyllic setting just a few minutes' walk from the Hills' house.

Another day, another park

This one's just been revamped with a fantastic selection of activities for the youngsters

'The Rocket' as Alfie calls the interesting structure in Dronfield centre

If you hadn't noticed earlier, it was definitely autumn!

Alfie had his 5th birthday whilst we were there, and we had fun at his party in a local venue

Lots of fun to be had on the bouncy castle...

...and blowing out the candles on his birthday cake...

...with an eager-to-taste audience!

And what about this monster planets cake?

It really tasted as good as it looked...

...but how on earth (ha ha) is this possible?!

Nadine was later asked to make a Hallowe'en cake

What talent, but sadly we didn't get to sample this one!

Transformations at Hevingham

We left Stansted for an overnight stay near friends Edith & John in Norfolk. I think you can see why we didn't stop at the house!

We've many happy memories of breaks here over the years

Tine helped knock the original wall down to create the playroom, now being rebuilt

Our friends now have a lovely new bedroom...

...and a shower room/toilet upstairs. Before...

...and after. 

French windows lead out from the new playroom to the garden. Grandsons Freddie & Bertie on sentry duty!

And here we have the new look. Fantastic!

Thankyou for the last three photos, Edith. Stolen from our messaging!

Excursions on a hearty breakfast

Big Dave pulled out all the stops for our breakfasts whilst stopping at theirs. Methinks he's done this before!

Tine, Shan & June went to explore Cambridge...

...whilst Dave took me for a walk round Hatfield Forest.

Later I took the train to the Big Smoke...

...walking right past the Gherkin trying to find my way to the Angel, Islington...

...where I met up with Matt and his mate Martin (in the pub of course).

The reason for our excursion to London? The League of Gentlemen on stage at the Apollo.

'This is a local shop, for local people!'

The excitement mounts in the beautiful theatre

Matt, Martin & your faithful blogger...

...not the only ones with odd comedic tastes!

A huge thankyou to Martin for the tickets. What a hilarious evening, capped off with Matt texting me every so often to check I didn't miss my stop on the train back to Stansted!