The Eden Project

We first visited the Eden Project not long after it opened. It is still very imposing, I’m sure you’ll agree. 

Here’s a photo of the china clay pit in 1998 before work started on the project the following year...

...and here's our little group making its way down to the 'biodomes'...

...rainbow included!

They're really impressive...

...outside, with a giant insect watching on,...

...and inside, enjoying the tropical warmth.

The Hills transfixed by a waterfall...

...the Bacchus is more in my line!

We drove to Par on the south coast of Cornwall...

...but still couldn't find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

However we did see a very creative van conversion/coffee outlet

Cornish holiday: Porthtowan

It should have been in 2021 but we finally managed my ‘big birthday’ holiday in Cornwall one year later.

This was our home for the week,…

…perfect for the two of us and Nadine & co.

That’s ‘our’ house to the far left of the photo. You see how near to the beach we were…

…and near to the Unicorn pub too (not to mention a great playpark for Alfie & Betty).

You’re going to see a few coastal photos in the next few posts!

 

Of course, Cornwall is renowned as a surfer’s paradise…

…and we saw plenty of action (from a distance)!

Leaving Yorkshire

We had a fantastic time whilst stopping at the caravan, but all things come to an end.

One last walk in the hills, Tine here advertising the caravan park…

…and your faithful blogger ready for the firing squad?

Autumn colours were everywhere…

A final look at the Aire Valley down below…

…and more evidence that autumn is here!

Of course, nights out are important. We enjoyed a great Persian meal with old Queensbury friends…

…and a very zen curry at the Peacock, a new restaurant in Bingley.

AlfnBets come to visit

Nad & Si had a couple of nights away to celebrate their wedding anniversary, so we came to the rescue with the monsters at the caravan.

It’s not just Betty unwilling to be paparazzied this time

We took them to Five Rise Locks in Bingley, the highest lock staircase in England

We spent many hours there when living in Bingley

We were fortunate to see a longboat going up through the locks

Betty was brave enough to walk over the footbridge: there’s a big drop underneath!

I reckon Mr Heron is checking the menu for his lunch

At the top of the locks there’s a ‘swingy’ bridge…

…that needs to be opened to let barges & longboats through.

Down in Saltaire now where AlfnBets enjoyed racing around…

…and playing in the park.

Another example of anything you can do, I can do, eh Betty?

Back to Northumberland

Continuing our theme of holidays within holidays, off we went to spend a few days in Hexham with old friend Les. 

Glasses in hand: cheers!

Les took us to Whitley Bay and its revamped Spanish City, both outside…

…and in.

We were a bit early to eat though

Moving on to Tynemouth, Les & Tine…

…but of course Les’s adoring gaze is only for me!

Hunger calls and Crusoe’s beach-hut was just the job

Then a walk by the castle…

…arty shots included.

The beaches are very similar to ours: we’ve decided to visit further in the future

Of course we visited Anna & George (and Arthur & Eve too) in their new house

I couldn’t resist taking a photo of these beautiful berries in Les’s garden

On our way back to the caravan we stopped at Barnard Castle where we met Edith & John on their way to Hexham

The castle looks very impressive but we didn’t visit it this time…

…mind you, we didn’t see any sign saying Cummings Was Here either!