Howick Hall

 After breakfast I pedal off to Embleton for provisions and then we hit the track though the woods from the campsite. We head towards Dunstanburgh castle and then follow the coast road to Craster. The sun is making an appearance and the wind has dropped so it’s really warm. We go to the smokery and buy Craster kipper fillets, dressed crab and crab sandwich for lunch later. 

We head inland and follow signs to Howick Hall and arrive for Earl Grey tea (C also has scones with clotted cream and jam). It’s the home of Earl Grey tea - specially blended for the 2nd Earl Grey to deal with the local spring water which tasted of the lime in it. The Greys marketed the newly invented tea through Twinings but failed to register it as a trade mark so have never received any royalties. 

The gardens are pleasantly unkempt- no manicured lawns, instead it’s all left to grow wild. There are 64 acres of arboretum to wander through. Which we do, following the long path all the way to the one way gate near the beach where we have our picnic. Then on to Craster to pick up our kippers and crab from the smokery and then to Embleton where we have our second swim, this time with costumes, even managing some body surfing. Lovely warm evening as we sit with some chilled rosé and crips before deciding on the best way to eat kippers, crab and strawberries.