Beaches and cliffs, then ruined priory or cake?

Gosh, where to begin?

Gail and I have just returned from a truly splendiferous few days spent exploring the Northumberland coast with our Nottingham-based friends Janet and Sue.

(Geography note: Northumberland, in the northeast corner of England, is conveniently situated about half way between Nottingham and Aberdeen.)

Shall I first show you some of the beaches? There aren't many places in crowded little England that offer such open and expansive vistas.

If you like your seaside with a touch more human activity, then Coldingham Bay, just across the border in Scotland, might be the place for you.

I'll admit that, while Janet was striding ahead, Sue and I slowed down a little to consider which of the pretty painted beach huts we'd like to adopt.

Of course, when with Gail, you always end up visiting places of geological interest too.

I'm sure you've already spotted the St Abbs Head fault line, separating volcanic rocks of eastern headland from the Devonian and Silurian sediments to the landward side (!)

It's not so often that Gail and I head for religious sites, but one has to say that the Holy Isle of Lindisfarne, an important centre of early Christianity in England and only reachable via a tidal causeway, has a very, very special atmosphere all of its own.

I have promised not to let on that, after spending much of the afternoon wandering around the nature reserve in the north of Holy Isle, Gail and her philistine friends prioritised tea and cake (generous slices of Victoria sponge served with strawberries and cream). So our little group failed to make it to the ruins of the 12th century priory and adjacent museum until after the gates were closed for the day, and had to settle for taking photos from behind the fence.

Still, we did all have a fabulous time overall, and massive thanks to Janet for organising our accommodation in Berwick-upon-Tweed and planning such splendid outings. I want you to know that I walked at least twenty-five miles over the course of the weekend. I might be slowing down a bit but there is life in the old dog yet!

A panic on Speyside...

Well done to those of you who correctly deduced that I was in the Highland village of Carrbridge on Monday. And congratulations to YAM-Aunty for providing the best porridge recipe and anecdote!

While up in that part of the world we went for a walk beside the River Spey. I had wandered on ahead when suddenly I noticed Gail reaching for her camera! For a moment I panicked that she was not going to include me in her photo of the Devil's Bit Scabious flowers beside the track, and I had to rush back to her at maximum velocity.

Fortunately I was able to get into position to pose for this week's Nature Friday picture of these delicately pretty blue blooms which brighten up our late summer meadows.

Phew, what's a relief to once again be able to join Arty, Jakey and Rosy for their ever wonderful Nature Friday! 

Scottish haute cuisine...

So which Highland village did I visit on Monday?

And in case more than one of my readers gets the right answer, here's a tie-break question concerning a perennially controversial issue.....

WHAT IS THE CORRECT WAY TO MAKE PORRIDGE/OATMEAL??
(Winter is on its way and we need to know!)

Politically incorrect

I am totally not going to start cracking jokes involving negative stereotypes about Aberdonians and their reputation for being, er, 'careful' with the pennies.

Apparently such comments might be considered politically incorrect, even if true.

No indeed, the topic of my blog post today is the Summer Flower and Vegetable Show in Duthie Park.

Well at least this would have been the topic if the show had been open when I went for my customary Sunday morning walk.

Can you believe  they refused to make an exception and open specially for me, despite the promise of worldwide social media coverage (and my  generous offer to water the plants.... )?

Well then,  I might just point out how several of their banners appeared to have been 'repurposed' from an earlier event at nearby Hazlehead Park.

And that's all I have to say on the subject.