31 December 2008 - Bolam Lake, Northumberland.

This morning we went to Bolam Lake Country Park for a walk around the lake. It was just starting to snow lightly when we arrived, but even when cold and dull this is a pleasant place for a short walk. The car park was busy and the visitor centre and cafe were open.

An attraction of Bolam Lake are the many swans that reside there. They are always entertaining when someone is feeding them and they are always on the lookout for food. As soon as people appear at their favourite feeding spot the swans speed over from all parts of the lake. Below are some photos of the swans gathering for a feed and also a photo of the visitor centre.

25 December 2008 - Druridge Bay and Hauxley Beach, Northumberland.

This afternoon we went for our Xmas Day walk on the beach at Druridge Bay and Hauxley. There were few people about except for dog walkers and the sun was setting as we walked along the shore beside the very calm sea.

We only took a few photos as the light was fading quickly, the first three of which were taken as the sun was setting at Druridge Bay. The fourth photo is a view from Hauxley Beach with the sky glowing orange behind the houses.

18 December 2008 - Blyth South Beach, Northumberland.

Today we visited Blyth for a walk along the beach. It was almost dark when we set off towards the harbour, but there was plenty of light from the surrounding area making this a pleasant evening walk.

Below are a number of photos of the beach and one of the lighthouse with light trails from a fishing boat that was returning to port. The last three photos are views of the new lifeguard station before and after dark.

11 December 2008 - Whiteadder Reservoir, Lammermuir Hills, Scotland.

This afternoon we visited Whiteadder Reservoir in the Lammermuir Hills between Berwick and Edinburgh. This is a remote and peaceful location where snow from the recent falls and an overnight shower added to the beauty of the place.

The first photo below is a view over the reservoir from the high stretch of road above the dam at Hungry Snout. The next four photos are views taken from the fishery car park at Gamelshiel. The next three views were taken from the road at the north end of the reservoir and the last photo is a view near where Whiteadder Water flows into the reservoir.

11 December 2008 - Cranshaws, Lammermuir Hills, Scotland.

Cranshaws is a tiny hamlet in the Lammermuir Hills south of Whiteadder Reservoir. We stopped to take photos of the countryside and the small but very pretty church, Cranshaws Kirk.

The colour of the church building could not match Autumn colours of the surrounding countryside more perfectly than they did in the setting sun. Even the church notice board glowed and blended in.

The first three photos are views of the church and the fourth is a view of a nearby farmhouse. The last photo is a view over fields with newly sprouting crops, covered with a sprinkling of snow from the night before.

11 December 2008 - Foulden, Scotland.

Passing through the pretty little roadside village of Foulden between Berwick and Duns we stopped to take some photos. The cottages in the first photo below have fantastic views over the surrounding countryside to the Cheviot Hills, as seen in the next two photos.

11 December 2008 - Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland.

These photos were taken on the way to Duns from the road beside the TV transmitter mast at Meadow Hill, just outside Berwick. The first two views are looking over the bridges and River Tweed to Spittal and the Northumberland Coast. The next two views were taken looking over Berwick to the pier and coast.

10 December 2008 - Spittal to Berwick Walk, Northumberland.

Today we walked along the River Tweed from Spittal and across the old bridge to Berwick. Following the Quay Walls and Town Walls we enjoyed the great views along the Elizabethan Ramparts before making our way down to Marygate and the shopping area. As the light was fading we returned over the Royal Tweed Bridge back down to the riverside.

The first two photos below are views across the River Tweed from Tweedmouth at dusk. The third photo is a view over the rooftops of Berwick to Spittal and down the Northumberland coast. The fourth photo is another rooftop view, this time past the Town Hall clock to the sea. The last two photos are views across the River Tweed to Berwick from Tweedmouth.

10 December 2008 - Spittal, Northumberland Coast.

This morning at Spittal there were heavy rain showers with sunshine in between. This caused a number of full rainbows like the one in the two photos below.

From where we were looking, one end of the rainbow appeared to be on the royal Border Bridge at Berwick just as a train was crossing and the other end was half way along Berwick Pier.

09 December 2008 - Spittal and River Tweed Walk, Northumberland Coast.

Today we took a late afternoon walk to the mouth of the River Tweed and along the promenade at Spittal on the coast in North Northumberland.

The first photo below is a view up the River to the bridges, in the distance a train was approaching Berwick Station across the Royal Border Bridge.

The next two photos are views of the Town Walls, followed by four views along Pier Road and a view of the pier. The last three photos are views along Spittal Beach towards the River Tweed.

06 December 2008 - Tynemouth.

This afternoon we visited Tynemouth for a walk along the pier and the River Tyne. The sky was very clear with the only cloud miles out to sea.

In the first three photos below of the pier, the sea appears very calm, but the next two photos show it wasn't as a dredger hit a heavy swell while passing the lighthouse.

The fifth photo is a view along the pier to Tynemouth Priory followed by two views of the lighthouses at dusk with their lights on. The final two photos are views of photographers surveying the view, silhouetted by the setting sun.

04 December 2008 - Bothal Walk, Northumberland.

This morning we walked to Bothal to take photos of the snow that had started falling earlier and was getting heavier as we left. There was not much traffic on the road to Bothal, mainly 4wd cars that could manage the steep hills without getting stuck.

The first two photos below are views towards Bothal Castle, followed by two views of the weir, where no one had been this morning. The next photo is a view of Bothal Village followed by two views of the stepping stones over the River Wansbeck. The last two photos are views of the road to Pegswood taken when it was snowing quite heavily.

© Copyright - All photos on this website are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced on any website or in print without prior permission. To use any photo please use the enquiry form at les-bell.com

© Copyright - All photos on this website are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced on any website, blog, forum, or in print without prior permission.

Photos are available for use subject to payment.

To use any photo please use the enquiry form at les-bell.com