Up north or bust - Our tour of Northumbria and the East Coast 1st - 3rd June

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Saturday 1^st  June

We headed south. We are meeting our son in Cambridgeshire in a week or so and so we made a journey south aiming for Rutland Water. However, before that, we decide an overnight stay at RSPB Frampton is worth doing. The road down to it isn’t for the faint hearted and in a motorhome over 7.m it is doable but be warned there are few passing places! What a great place this is – we strolled the marshes, hide away in the ‘hides’ and see plenty of bird life. A particular favourite were the spoonbills. The sounds of whispering reed beds and then the views from the embankment walls that hold back the extensive area known as the wash. Rather breezy and the tide was out exposing extensive mudflats and a brownish sea – and in the far distance rather appropriately, off shore wind farms. Coastal geography – so much to see – a retired geography teacher’s treat although it takes me a while to get use to the colour of the sea. I have grown up next to the sea for most of my life and have been privileged to have the clear waters and the golden sandy beaches of the Gower and then South Devon and Cornwall – so I know I’ve been blessed.  But, I’m slowly getting to appreciate a different coast – sandy beaches, marshes and mudflats, creeks and brown seas! It all has a stunning wilderness beauty of its own.

The RSPB keep it quiet but do allow overnighter stays in their car park. Toilets are available for the night as well but that is it – no other services.  We have a lovely view across marsh farmland for the night – lots of plover, lapwings, geese and later that night hunting owls.

Sunday 2^nd and Monday 3rd

Heckingdon mill was one of those off the cuff “Let’s call in there” visits that are so easy to do in a motorhome. And what a great little find it was!  It is a community restored and owned proper working mill. Next door a microbrewery and lovely little café – what a great stop for coffee and the Sunday papers! Lost a few hours here!

We were on the way to Rutland Water. A meandering cross country route!  And so it was we came upon Belton House – a national trust property. Well, that was the rest of the day gone. Great house, great gardens and extensive grounds to walk around. Home to the Brownlow family who set about commissioning the finest craftsmen and designers of the time to shape the Belton Estate. Cast Iron conservatories, 17^th century sash windows, Dutch and Italian gardens. Then there are the impressive art, silver and porcelain collections. Our National Trust cards have been a great annual investment. It is so sad they don’t allow motorhome stops in their carparks overnight. 

Eventually we weave our way to Rutland. Our site for the next few days is the Paddock - a great site overlooking the reservoir. Grass pitch with electric and sweeping views down across the reservoir. Adult only – not that this is important to us in any way – we are retired teachers – we like kids – although as Mag reminds me periodically – she couldn’t eat a whole one nowadays.

We came to see the ospreys and this site has a little viewing platform for just that purpose. You’d need some good binoculars though! It’s also a great place for cycling – the pathway is just down the hill from the site. 

For the next part of our trip: https://wherenexthun.blogspot.com/2024/11/up-north-or-bust-our-tour-of_6.html