Category: beadnell

Zoooooom !!

Well folks, what can I say, things sure have been busy around here.

Summer has yet to officially start in my book, its just been so mild – where is the heat ?
But that-said, there has been plenty to keep busy with, so sun or not, the people came.

Earlier in the summer we had a visit from Time Team on the point, digging the chapel there, with the show being aired in the autumn.

We had half of Cornwall’s finest up here as the swell dropped in the South West and the boys drove North in search of waves, good to see Stokesy, Fryer and Egor out in the water with us.

The usual raft of tourists have been queuing up to be rescued from the causeway at Holy Island – its an expensive mistake, and its not hard to avoid – check the crossing times !! :)

As well as the lighter side of things, the area had a couple deaths, both quite recently, one diving-related accident and one cliff-fall. Both very sad.

Looking forward once more to the August Bank Holiday weekend, the finale of the holidays, only one thing is being talked about – Crastonbury.

Big highlight for me this year – The Cuban Brothers headlining !!!!! You HAVE to see these guys. Truly epic entertainment. See the video below. :)

Must dash now, but promise to be back soon..

Fresh local seafood – Scallops with Michael

With the Season being kicked off so well by the fantastic weather and two long weekends, things are all a-go round here.

We actually need some rain, as the farmers will tell you… :(

A highlight for me has been the influx of in-season locally caught Scallops. Yum.

I caught Michael at the Craster Arms a few night ago and got the low-down on how to shell yourself a scallop, or two boxes even.

Easter.. and pumping Thurso…

Easter being so late, we’re getting some odd holidays in the next fortnight.

The villages are ready for it – and it will be a bumper Easter with the wedding and Mayday all wrapped-in.

The warm weather and light nights are very welcome, but it still needs to warm up before you can put the winter coat away.

Beadnell Bay, April 2011

Still its not as cold as it is in Thurso, This time last year we were up there watching the same contest that is happening now, today.

It has been absolutely pumping surf however. Which is typical, since it was rubbish last year.

Some highlights..  remember, this is Scotland…

Icons of the area…

September. That time of year when normality returns once more and village life in Beadnell, Seahouses and Bamburgh returns to a mellower pace.

The weather is still pretty fantastic, blue skies, sunshine and warm water. The road are getting quieter…  you can feel Autumn approaching.

I love September. I revel in it.

As the summer passed, I thought about what defined this area we live in.. not easy to do. Not as an answer to that, but as a visual exploration, I collected these images, which hopefully begin to paint the picture.

Coxons Ice-cream

Coxons Ice-cream

The Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands

The Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands

Fish and Chips from any of the various chippy's

Fish and Chips from any of the various chippy's

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle

Lobster Pots - working or decorative

Lobster Pots - working or decorative

Billy Shiel boat trips to the Farne Islands

Billy Shiel boat trips to the Farne Islands

Of course there are many other things I could have included, and everyone has their own vision of what this special piece of coast means to them, but you have to draw the line somewhere… We could talk about Kippers, Grace Darling, Dunstanburgh Castle, Beadnell Harbour, Golden Beaches… but these are the ones that work most visually – and they work for me.

Crastonbury 2010 – A huge success !!

With only a couple of weeks notice, the village of Beadnell was treated to a very special one-day music festival put together by Michael at the Craster Arms.

Running from midday to midnight on the Saturday of the August bank holiday, the line-up included; The Tuckers, The Longsands, The Proper Boys, Martini Sessions, The Remmies and the Amy Housewine Band.

Big thanks also to James Cummings for the sound-tech and PA services, Photographs from nighttime below also by James – JamesCummingsPhotography.com

It was a great day, with sprinklings of sunshine and rain, but the crowd was resolute and the weather did nothing to dampen the spirits.

The crowd was a great mix of families, old and young, with locals and visitors alike sharing the merriment and enjoying the day.

By 7am the next morning the entire garden was clean and clear and no-sign of the huge numbers of people could be seen –  a credit to all the staff and helpers who worked so hard.

We look forward to next year when the festival will get bigger and better !! Bring-on 2011 :D.

Surfboard, wetsuit and bike hire in Beadnell, Seahouses and Bamburgh, Budle, Embleton, Newton, Northumberland
Hire surfboards, wetsuits and bikes in Beadnell, Seahouses and Bamburgh