Berwick, Seaview CAMC Site.... continued

Wednesday, 15th July 2020

Weather does not look too good, forecast is for showers, it is is cloudy, with a stiff breeze from the west.

Never-the-less, we decide to do our planned ride to Holy Island (Lindisfarne). 

The route is via part of Sustrans National Cycle Route 1, and, it is approximately ten miles each way. Part of the route is good, tarmac track, or, quiet road, but, other sections would be more suited to a Quad-Bike, than a bicycle.

On the positive side, the route is reasonably easy to follow, with only one misleading sign post, which briefly sends us to a dead end, but, fortunately only a couple of hundred metres or so lost.

Almost immediately after setting off, we come to a very difficult section, uphill, and, dreadful surface, potholed tarmac, followed by an even worse section, rutted grass, along a cliff top. 

I fully expect Kathleen to insist on turning back, but, much to my surprise, she soldiers on, truly, without a word of complaint!

Things do get better, with a good section of tarmac surface, in the middle, before it deteriorates back to uneven grass or poor quality gravel surface. 

Shortly after setting off, we encounter a fellow cyclist, on a folding, electric bike, with very small wheels. He tells us, he too is heading for Holy Island, and, he is sailing on a small yacht, which is moored in Berwick Docks. He is significantly younger than us, and, given that he is riding an electric bicycle, we are very surprised to find that we keep pace with him, until, that, is, Kathleen gets a puncture.

We have just passed through one of the rougher sections, where cattle are grazing, and, depositing the results along the track, when Kathleen's front tyre goes flat. Fortunately, we do have a spare inner tube, and pump with us (be prepared and all that), plus, some water to wash the cow dung off my hands, after I have removed and refitted the tyre.

But, we do make it to the causeway, where there is an Ice cream Van, selling ice cream.

 We partake of an ice cream, whilst chatting to a fellow Motorhomer, who has driven here from Berwick Seaview Site (no sense of adventure some people).

The causeway is still, mostly,  under water, we are told that today, it will be clear to cross by 13:00. 

There are one or two brave (or fool-hardy, depending on your point of view) people in

cars driving through the water, still lying on the causeway. 

But, we have no particular wish to actually cycle to the island, being content with having achieved the journey here, plus, of course, we still have to make the return journey.

So, after a further pause, to take photographs, and, a little discussion as to if we should attempt to make the return journey via the road (vetoed by Kathleen, because she does not trust me to read the map correctly), we set off to make our way back.

It has been threatening to rain for some time, and, sure enough, we have a short sharp shower of rain, it does not last long, just long enough to give us a good soaking!

Once the rain has stopped, a pause for our picnic lunch, at Windmill Hill.

All in all, 20.55 miles, not bad.





Thursday, 16th July 2020

The weather forecast promised a bright and sunny day, today, but, morning looks only average, sunny with cloud, and, still, a stiff breeze from the West.

After yesterdays cycling, today, we spend walking. Along to Berwick-upon-Tweed, and, a walk around the part of the Ramparts we missed on Tuesday, a very pleasant 5.9 miles.

Friday, 17th July 2020

What has happened to the weather? Forecast is for the best day of the week, but, reality is cloudy, cool, with a few spots of rain!

A day for reading our books, and, lunch at the Riverside Cafe, plain food, but, nicely cooked, very friendly and helpful staff.

Saturday, 18th July 2020

Weather even worse this morning, rain and more rain.

Today, we have to got home for one night, before moving on to Cheddar, because someone (ie Me), messed up the bookings, and left a one night gap.