A Bird's Eye View

Last night a few friends and I hit the road and headed far north to Seahouses, or more specifically to the Farne Islands in search of the high seas and a special kind of bird… Known affectionately amongst the locals here as the 'Tommy Noddy' or clowns of the sea, we came to visit the glorious puffins who nest on these islands every year. 

Now chances are you'll smell the islands before you see them, but this small cluster of craggy rocks is home to literally thousands of seabird colonies. The islands are so populated by Arctic terns, razorbills, guillemots and shags that often one bird has to leave their space before another can land! If you've never seen or heard of the spectacle before, I really urge you to go, unless you're scared of birds or water of course. 

Given how delicate and profound these islands are, they are now protected Nature Reserves so visitors are forbidden from setting foot on the islands, (good job as there literally isn't any space) but you can book yourself on one of the numerous boat tours that operate from the harbour and see them up close for yourself. So after what turned out to be a good hour and a half's drive thanks to pesky traffic, the four of us finally reached the harbour to meet our skipper George and hop aboard the family boat. As it turns out, we had picked the perfect night to visit the Farne Islands. The sky was brilliantly clear, the sea as smooth as glass and the weather, happily still warm. I know I say this a lot, but there is no better feeling than being on a boat, the wind whipping through your hair and rushing past your ears, your body relaxing to the ebb and flow of the water, I just love it. Needless to say I was in my absolutely element and grinned from ear to ear as we made the 30 minute journey to our first cluster of islands. 

Staple Island, one of the Outer Farne Islands was our first stop. Literally thousands of birds took to the skies, swooped under the water and sat elegantly on the waves. Naturally we took hundreds of photos, delighted at being able to see nature doing what it does best. It wasn't long before our arrival attracted the attention of some of the Farne Islands' other inhabitants… the grey seals!

Now I hasten to mention that the Farne Islands, which I'm sure you already know, is eternally famous as the site of Grace Darling's heroic rescue in 1838. Her story is of course familiar to generations of North East school children, but in case you're unaware, let me tell you. Grace and her family lived at Longstone Lighthouse and during one stormy night, a 22 year old Grace Darling awoke to find a shipwreck of a ship called the Forfarshire (the Titanic of its day) a short way off. Gathering her father and brother into the boat, she sailed a tiny rowing boat to rescue the survivors clinging to the rocks. As her father managed to secure nine survivors into the boat, Grace battled with the elements to keep the little coble boat afloat. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) awarded Grace and her father a silver medal for gallantry, making her the first ever woman to receive such an award. Consequently, Grace became a celebrity in her own right until her tragic death of TB only four years later. 

Goldengate Tours, the boat company we had chosen are the only licensed boat company in Seahouses to land at Longstone Lighthouse and take people inside, so if you're planning a visit it's worth booking with Goldengate. We climbed the 100+ stairs to the top and were rewarded with the most beautiful view! George told us a little more about the lighthouse (but I won't spoil it for you if you're planning a visit) and we retreated downstairs for a cup of tea. I never wanted to leave, the view was so incredible. Reluctantly getting in the boat to go back to dry land, I managed to sweet talk our captain into him letting me drive the boat home! Well… in open sea, but still, I loved it. 

The Farne Islands are without doubt one of my favourite places to visit in the North East. They're just unlike anything I've ever seen before and I get to indulge in my love of wildlife. Oh and of course get THE best fish and chips to eat on the way home! 

 Bon Voyage! 

Time for Tea

I don't know about you, but I always feel like everybody else has a secret life they delve into on Sundays, a ritual in which they squeeze every last drop out of the weekend - except me. I never really know what to do with myself, half of me wants to get up at the crack of dawn and do five different things with my day to make the most of it, while the other half wants to lounge around making brunch and reading a good book. 

Well lovely readers, I've cracked it. I spent today enjoying delicious afternoon tea in one of the most beautiful gardens hidden in Durham city centre! 

Having received a kind invite to visit Crook Hall and Gardens for afternoon tea and a meander around the gardens, I hopped in the car and journeyed south with my mother and her broken leg in tow. Neither of us knowing what to expect, we pulled up on an unsuspecting lane just around the bend from the riverbank and Radisson Blu hotel. Hidden completely from view was Crook Hall, the family home of Maggie and Keith Bell and ancient medieval manor. 

Look at the sight which greeted us! 

The smell of the sweet peas was incredible as we made our way through the gardens! 

A little further along was a stunning wildflower meadow and maze, the land i'm told was a 40th birthday gift from Keith to Maggie - how romantic! Everywhere you looked was colour, texture and my favourite little touch, hidden settings for afternoon tea! You would turn a corner or unlock a gate and stumble upon the most perfect setting, as though fairies had set it up and invite you to sit down for a spot of tea. 

Our lovely host Maggie led my mam and I to the most perfect sheltered setting near the house where a veritable feast awaited us. Three tiers of homemade goodies were beautifully decorated with flowers from the garden. Everything looked perfect! 

Our afternoon tea for two consisted of: 

TIER ONE

- egg mayonnaise and prawn cocktail 'drops'

- A selection of cheese and pickle, salmon and cream cheese, ham and mustard and cucumber sandwiches

- fresh lettuce, tomato celery and carrot sticks from the garden

TIER TWO

- Two plain homemade scones with the most amazing clotted cream, strawberry jam and fresh strawberries and raspberries from the garden (which were unbelievably good)

TIER THREE

- Ginger parkin with garden mint

- Chocolate eclairs

- Sponge rolls

- Homemade meringues 

- Caramel shortbread 

Look how beautifully everything was presented! After devouring everything in sight (and taking home a snip of lettuce for the guineapig!) we were invited to explore the gardens. I don't want to spoil the surprise too much, so i'll say this; Crook Hall's series of old Walled Gardens and Orchard are incredibly tranquil, beautiful to behold and full of surprises around every corner. Just have a look at some of the photos I took! 

I struggle to choose my favourite part as I loved absolutely everything, but if I had to, i'd choose the Shakespeare Garden. It is so peaceful and beautiful. The planting scheme just draws your eye at every angle, I can really imagine myself sitting there on a sunny day and writing. 

I loved the Orchard too, full of cooking apples and plums. Our lovely, knowledgeable guide (and the wedding manager) Nicola told me they invite people to come and pick hoardes of the fruit at the end of the season to make tarts and sauces. 

My mam's favourite part was the vegetable garden, which I imagined to be like Mr McGregors garden from Beatrix Potter. It was full of raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers and onions. They also grow a few unusual plants too, such as celery parsley and strawberry spinach. 

I had such a brilliant day here, it was a pleasure to visit and I can't wait to be back.

Crook Hall will be opening more during winter this year too, imagine how magical the whole place will look when covered in a carpet of snow, the frosty leaves and branches twinkling in the sun. There's plenty of roaring fires indoors to keep you warm, and can you imagine the Christmas-inspired afternoon tea in the beautiful Georgian dining room which looks out over the gardens and ginormous Christmas tree. 

For somebody as rubbish with directions as me, Crook Hall was actually really simple to find. It's just left towards the passport office just as you come off the A1 and arrive in Durham and a 20 minute or so walk from the train station. I can't recommend the place enough, you'll have a lovely day regardless of whether you're six or sixty. Go for a picnic on a sunny day and definitely for a birthday/special afternoon tea treat! 

Visit their website www.crookhallgardens.co.uk for opening times and more information. 

Thank you for having us!