southcotswoldramblers.org.uk Northumberland May 2011 Day 2 The harder coastal walk from Alnmouth

Holiday Photos Day 1 Day 2 easier walk >>Day 2 harder walk<< Day 3 easier walk Day 3 medium walk Day 3 harder walk Day 4 easier walk Day 4 harder walk Day 5 Alnwick Day 5 Cragside Day 5 Farne Islands Day 6 medium walk Day 6 harder walk Day 7 easier walk Day 7 medium walk Day 7 harder walk
		Looking back over Alnmouth we head north along the coast .
		At the start of the 'harder' walk .
		We take to the beach .
		Looking back at the medium group who started 10 mins later .
		* Vennae and John helping Roger to set a good pace .
		* Picking our way .
		*The beach is not completely deserted .
		* Interesting rocks .
		The outside of a pub not yet open for business .
		* Make a pleasant place for a coffee stop .
		And a wayside sculpture keeps us amused as we continue on our way .
		* Wonder if they are still used? .
		* Roger checks we are still coming .
		* The sun makes a fleeting appearance .
		* This is the life .
		* We head round a geologically interesting corner .
		* Of ancient rocks .
		* And a little scramble for some .
		A bridge takes us over the mouth of a small river .
		As we continue along the shore .
		Roger, our leader, tries to convince us that gorse smells of coconut .
		* The ladies get it! .
		Passing a small cove .
		And a cottage originally built as a beach house to the local manor .
		More varied coastal scenery .
		* And a group of canoeists .
		* We approach guano covered cliffs .
		With nesting gulls .
		*On we go .
		* Oystercatchers have seen ramblers before, and take no notice .
		* A fine eider duck for those looking out .
Eventually Craster comes into sight with Dunstanburgh Castle in the background .
Craster is the home of the famous kippers .
And we stop for coffee in the harbour .
Before heading for the castle .
*An imposing ruin .
* Weathered stones look like an art installation .
* Well, well, well .
* How did they get up there? .
Our quick look inside is soon over .
There follows more interesting geology .
And more long beaches .
*We lead off .
*Into a nature reserve .
*Sheltered from the wind .
Where the hides give us somewhere to sit down .
*Time to go .
Arriving at Low Newton Di samples 'Sandcastles at dawn' the local brew .
*And others enjoy their refreshments too .
The beer is produced at the pub in the corner of the village green .
After which we head uphill to High Newton .
* Passing a recently re-roofed "tin tabernacle" .
Before catching the coach
Photos and captions from Richard and *Mike