Friday 18 June: Dunstanburgh Castle

 The day starts with sunshine and we manage breakfast outside again before heading off for a walk. We make our way through the fields to the coast and bear south towards Dunstanburgh Castle with its imposing silhouette on the headland. We eventually manage to get enough phone reception to book our entry on-line (free for National Trust members at least!) Mainly ruins and no queue for State Rooms so Simon is happy! We admire the thick stone walls that have withstood the test of time in such an exposed spot. The cliffs at Cullernose Point below the castle are home to a large colony of nesting Kittywake and their characteristic call is deafening. With our binoculars we also spot some Fulmars sitting majestically on their nests as well as a raft of guillemots. We are turning into twitchers now! Back along the coast heading north along the impressive sands of Embleton Bay with its handful of rustic holiday shacks set in the dunes. The sand dune paths are lined with bright pink Bloody Cranesbill which we gather is the county flower of Northumberland. We stop at The Ship Inn at Lower Newton and resist the temptation to have a local beer but have a coffee this time. They brew their own beer as recommended by Ellie and Michael so we will be back....Onwards around the coast to the start of Beadnell Bay we eat our lunch at the back of the beach sheltering from the fresh Northerly winds. Retracing our footsteps we see a Reed Bunting and two Avocets on an inland stretch of water - an unusual sight we gather. Back to the Van for tea and a spot of relaxation. This is a holiday after all.