Friday, 19 April 2024

Durham

During the second week of our spring break, we spent two nights in Durham. I had never been before. I think the closest I'd been previously, must have Beamish, while on a trip with primary school. This was when Johnathon, my best friend at the time, brought back a lump of coal from the mine, as a gift for his sister :) It's funny what you remember isn't it? 

We set off mid morning, stopping at Barnard Castle on the way to have some lunch. After a walk along the river, we enjoyed our picnic overlooking the castle.  The daffodils were all in flower, and looked lovely, albeit a little windswept. The sky was definitely looking more than a little grey, but luckily we managed to eat our sandwiches before it began to rain.There was just enough time to have a wander along the main street, where we visited a small cafe for hot chocolate, before we were on our way once again. 

Arriving in Durham late afternoon, we checked into our hotel and went for a gentle walk along the river, then straight through the city centre, past the castle and cathedral. The presence of the university there was quite obvious, as the whole city had a student vibe, and everyone we encountered was incredibly warm and friendly. By this time, the sun was shining and it felt wonderful to feel the warmth on our skin. It didn't take long before we were back at the hotel, as the city itself is really quite small. Then, knowing there was very little chance of me getting lost, I retraced our steps alone, but this time went a little bit further, and wearing my running shoes. After all, I didn't want to miss out any of my training, if I didn't have to.



The following day, the rain came, which wasn't too much of a issue, given that we had already planned to look around the cathedral. And it certainly didn't disappoint. It is a large, impressive building and has the most beautiful stained glass windows. We walked all around the Nave, Chapels and Transepts, then through to the Chapter House and the Cloister, which was apparently used as a filming location for one of the Harry Potter films. But that was a little lost on me, seeing as I have never seen any of them. 


There was even a model of the cathedral made entirely from Lego. 
Also, while we were there, we each made a paper Peace Dove, which are to be included in an art installation later in the year. The plan is to suspend fifteen thousand paper doves from the Nave, each with a message of peace, love and hope written on their wings.

We spent the whole morning at the cathedral, but probably could have stayed for longer. I would have quite liked to have gone up The Central Tower, but unfortunately it was closed while we were there. That afternoon, we explored the city some more, and enjoyed a look around the visitor centre, which is situated right next door to the castle. The city is steeped in history, and they had so many interesting artefacts on display.


After a  tasty fish and chip supper, we spent another night at the hotel, then the following day, before heading for home, we took a drive out to the coast at Seaham. The beach at Seaham is well known for it's sea glass, so we thought a morning searching the shore line would be fun. Although it was a bright, sunny start to the day, it was a good thing we were well wrapped up, as the see breeze was making us feel rather chilly. The rough pebbly beach made walking along the shore a little tricky at times, but we weren't in any rush, stopping regularly to collect the tiny pieces of smooth coloured glass. And I couldn't believe just how much we found. Only yesterday, I found another piece right in the corner of my coat pocket! 

It was a lovely couple of days, and we will definitely be returning to the north east later in the year.

This week has seen the start of Lily's final term at primary school, and already it seems to be going fast. There will be a lot of changes and challenges for both of us in the months to come, but my first challenge will be at the weekend...


Oh, and I've also spotted my first bluebells of the season.

J. X 





28 comments:

  1. It looks gorgeous in spite the weather. I love the reflect of the bridge on the water. Unfortunately I shall forever associate Barnard Castle with Dominic Cummings!
    Our garden is awash with bluebells, I love how they smell. xx

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    1. Haha! Yes, me too. And I can assure you that my eyesight was fine. Xx

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  2. What a lovely trip away. We visited Barnard Castle at the start of the month and we were just saying that a trip a little further north to Durham would be nice. I last visited on a school trip and the cathedral left a lasting impression, it's such a beautiful building, isn't it. Good luck with your run at the weekend, I'm sure you'll do yourself proud.

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    1. It is such a beautiful building. And Durham is well worth a visit.
      Thank you, Jo. Xx

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  3. Oh, I have mini-break envy. Far too long since I visisted Durham, it is a lovely city.

    How on earth can this be Lily's last term at primary. Neither of you are old enough 😘

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    1. You should definitely visit, Jayne. It would make a lovely stop off on the way to the east coast. X

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  4. I live quite near to Barnard Castle - just a ride over The Stang and across the A66

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    1. I didn't think you would be far away, Pat. I thought of you while I was there. It's a lovely area. X

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  5. Thank you for bringing me along on this lovely vacation, my friend. Everything is so very beautiful!

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  6. It looks like a great time away, fantastic photos. All the best for your run tomorrow. I visited Durham nearly 30 years ago. I was at the University doing a week of Geology on a summer school with The Open University. Lots of good memories, walking and discovering rock formation, sediment and some fossils. I remember going to a cafe and on the last day, visited a museum before the coach journey back to Hampshire (lived there at the time).

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    1. It sounds like you have some fond memories of your time there, Cathy. It is certainly a beautiful city. Xx

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  7. It looks and sounds a nice couple of days away. I enjoyed seeing your photographs.

    Goodness! It doesn't seem possible that this is Lily's last term at primary school, the years pass by so quickly.

    Wishing you a good weekend and a successful run.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lily's time at primary school seems to have flown by. I'm not sure I'm ready for her to make this next big leap.
      Thank you, Jan. I'm feeling rather nervous now. Xx

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  8. What a wonderful place to visit! Thank you for sharing your lovely photos. Wish you all the best on this weekend's run!

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  9. Durham looks like the perfect place to visit. Well done and good luck with the running. B x

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    1. It was so lovely there. It would be nice to return, perhaps during the summer. Xx

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  10. Durham is a beautiful City as are many of the surrounding villages. For some reason, however, which I cannot explain I found the atmosphere in the nave of the Cathedral rather austere and it induced a feeling of foreboding as though something had happened there and left an 'atmosphere', The cloisters on the other hand induced a feeling of peace and tranquility. The bluebells are beautiful.

    I'm assuming that as I write this you will have run your run. I hope it went well.

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    1. The Nave is so vast, I wonder if that might explain your feelings. Although the Chapter House and Cloister were my favourite as well.
      My run is this morning, and I'm feeling more than a little nervous. Xx

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  11. I think you did similar things to me when I visited Durham such as the riverside walk and going to the beach at Seaham. Lovely area to go to. X

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    1. Durham is a beautiful city, isn't it. I'd love to take a boat out on the river there. X

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  12. An amazing city and well worth a visit and a fish n chip supper, great end to your visit.

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    1. I really enjoyed our time there. And the fish and chips were delicious! X

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  13. You had a lovely few days away in Durham. The cathedral looks wonderful and the lego model must have been very impressive too. We saw a similar model a couple of years ago at Chester cathedral. Lots of patience and skill needed to build that and the real thing. Hope Lily makes some good memories in her remaining time at Primary and that you did well yesterday. Have a good week x

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    1. Thank you, Beverley. I've never been much good with Lego, so I can imagine the time and effort that must have gone in to building the model. Xx

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  14. Absolutely beautiful pictures – while there are day trips to take here, there just isn’t the long-standing history of ancient buildings with such amazing stories to tell. I envy that – it would be so easy for me to lose myself in all of that history. Thank you for sharing it with us – what wonderful memories you’re making!

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    1. Thank you, Mary. Durham really is a beautiful city, and later in the year I'm looking forward to exploring the north east a little further. Xx

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