When I bought my ticket to Scarborough form Newcastle the agents (ticket agents are always very helpful in finding you the best and lowest fares) suggested I make the ticket a return for an added £3. Smart move for if I had purchased the one way I’d have to get back to York no matter where I was heading from there so already a win. As it turned out I had been told that there are a number of castles on the NE coast of England between Newcastle and Berwick-on-Tweed and since I had determined that a flight to Dublin from EDI was the cheapest and actually quickest way back to the States it was in the right direction. Alnwick Castle has been in over 2 dozen movies including a couple of the Harry Potter ones, but the more interesting aspect is that it has been lived in pretty much constantly since 1096 and the Percy family has lived there since 1253.
My first stop after dropping the kit in the very nice room upstairs was to quench a thirst in the pub of The Tavern where I’d be staying.
I noticed a tester paddle. Three 1/3 pints of different local brews for the price on a pint. That being a nice chance to select one, it’s too much unnecessary work on the server to have twice. While both the Wainwright and Black Sheep Bitters were good, I opted for a pint of the Northumbrian.
It being a nice afternoon and my thirst temporarily sated, I went for a walk around the town. Sir Henry Percy, Hotspur, was the first of a still going family to live in Alnwick Castle
One of the town gates.
The Castle entrance.
It was too late in the day to pay to enter the castle as I wouldn’t have enough time to do it justice. But I was intrigued when I saw these cars outside. There was a car show with mostly MG’s that day. The following conversation took place:
Is the car show going on tomorrow too?
No.
Can I go in and just take photos of the cars and come back tomorrow to buy a ticket for castle and gardens? (the spectacular gardens are equal to the castle)
No. But the ticket is good for a year so you can come back tomorrow!
Great! Where’s the ticket office?
Oh, it’s closed.
Dead silence as we just look at each other.
Let me show you the cars.
Brilliant.
Not a MG.
I had spotted a couple of pubs on my walk over so I headed for the first one. Interesting loo.
I’ve never, ever seen this set up. A card reader and taps at the table. You swipe, that unlocks the kegs I guess and you pour. Waitress will bring food if ordered on the screen
The pub is called the dirty bottles with good reason
Across from The Tavern
I hadn’t had Yorkshire for years. Since Mom passed. I think she would have called this a popover. A good meal.
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