02 May 2008 - Sunrise at Blyth, Northumberland.

A very early start this morning to photograph the sunrise at Blyth. The sun was rising at the perfect angle to take photos of it between the supports below the last wind turbine and lighthouse on the East Pier.

It was a fantastic morning - clear sky and cold but soon becoming warm. The fist photo below shows the piers before sunrise and the next three views are of the sun rising behind the pier. The fifth view is the marina in Blyth South Harbour and the last is a view along the South Beach in brilliant sunshine.

30 April 2008 - Pegswood Bypass, near Morpeth, Northumberland.

Just outside Morpeth at the side of the Pegswood Bypass is a Rapeseed field with a lone tree in the middle. We have watched this field for a while as we drove past waiting for the flowers to be at their brilliant yellow best. Some other photographers have obviously been doing the same as we saw a few with their cameras when we visited on foot.

Below is one of our photos we titled the "Lonely tree in a Rapeseed Field".

29 April 2008 - Belsay Castle and Gardens, Northumberland.

This afternoon we visited Belsay Hall for a walk around the gardens and castle. There wasn't a lot of colour in the gardens as the spring bulbs were dying back and many perennials not yet in flower. The quarry garden was closed for maintenance work and though the Rhododendrons are not flowering yet, some looked as if their buds were starting to open.

The first two photos below are views taken at the front and rear of Belsay Castle and the third is a view of the path through the quarry.

24 April 2008 - Amble, Northumberland Coast.

Today we visited Amble for a walk around the harbour. The pier was almost deserted with very few people about and the main quayside was empty with only one fishing boat moored, looking as though it had recently tied up. Fish boxes were being stacked on the quayside ready for the return of other boats though.

The first photo below is a view from the pier towards Cliff House and the second photo is a view past Cliff House to Pan Point and Wellhaugh Point. The third photo shows the quayside without boats while in the last photo the Puffin Cruise boat is seen returning from Coquet island.

17 April 2008 - Hexham, Northumberland.

After a business visit to Hexham today we took time to take some photos in the park beside the Abbey. The flower beds around the bowling green and Hexham House were looking very colourful with spring bulbs and bedding.

During a sunny interval we took these two photos of Hexham House and a view of Hexham Abbey from the bowling green.

16 April 2008 - Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland.

Today we visited Berwick to take some photos for a magazine. It was a visit at very short notice but fortunately the weather was much finer when we arrived than when we left home.

Afterwards we took a few photos along the River Tweed, the first of which is a view across the river to Spittal and down the coast to Holy Island. The second view is from Berwick Old Bridge along the north bank of the river and the third is a view along the Quay Walls.

14 April 2008 - Simonside Hills, Northumberland.

Today we went for an early evening walk in the Simonside Hills near Rothbury. The weather was clearing after a cloudy wet day and snow on the Cheviot Hills capped the always great view across the River Coquet Valley from the seat below the crags.

The first photo below is the view from the seat and the second and third photos are views across the forest towards Dove Crag.

05 April 2008 - Seaton Sluice, Northumberland Coast.

This afternoon we visited Seaton Sluice at the south end of the Northumberland Coast. A strong, very cold north wind was whipping up the sea and producing a lot of spray.

The first photo below is a view to the harbour entrance and breakwater which the waves were pounding. The next photo is a view of breaking waves taken from beside the seat on the right of the first photo.

The third photo is a view from the top of the dunes along the bay to Blyth and the fourth photo is a view back across the harbour entrance.

28 March 2008 - River Wansbeck, Stakeford, Northumberland.

A late afternoon visit to the River Wansbeck at Stakeford to take a few photos for the Rivers Section of our Northumberland Photo website.

Below are two views of the "Black Bridge" which carries the railway to Ashington, in the background is the road bridge near the mouth of the river. The third photo shows one of the Swans seen in the other pictures, curious to see if any food was on offer - it hissed and went away when there wasn't!

24 March 2008 - Amble, Northumberland.

Today we visited Amble Harbour again. The wind was not as strong as the previous few days but still strong enough to be whipping up waves over the pier and breakwater.

A few heavy wintry showers were still passing over too, as the photo of the harbour below shows. In the second photo waves are breaking against the end of the pier while a calmer view of the River Coquet is seen in the third view.

22 March 2008 - Blyth, Northumberland.

We visited Blyth Harbour and South Beach today to take photos of the sea as the wind was still blowing from the north. It was not as rough as the previous day at Amble but there were still plenty of big waves.

The first photo shows waves breaking over the base of the East Pier beside the lighthouse. The second view was taken from the promenade at the south beach using a very long lens, just as a heavy snow shower was starting. The third view was taken from the West Pier and shows the large waves that were rolling up to the South Beach.

21 March 2008 - Amble, Northumberland.

Today, Good Friday, was also the first day of Spring and one of the highest tides of the year. Storm force north winds meant very rough seas - ideal for taking photos at Amble where the breakwater and piers were sure to be taking a heavy pounding - and they were.

Mountainous seas made a spectacular sight for those that braved the freezing wind and heavy snow showers as the photos below show. Even the River Coquet in the harbour was very rough.

We took the first three photos from the comfort of the car using a very long lens resting on a bean bag, but ventured out briefly onto the quayside for the last one with a compact camera.

16 March 2008 - Blyth South Beach, Northumberland.

Today we went for a walk along Blyth South Beach, one of our favourite local walking beaches. It was another windy and cold day and though the car park was busy, the beach was not. The fish and chip shop was doing a good trade though.

The first photo below is a view from beside the West Pier, showing a lone walker braving the wind. The second photo is of the church on the road to Seaton Sluice, with a crow watching the camera.

The last photo is an all too common sight in this country these days - Fort House public toilets - locked up like a fortress - not as convenient as the sign states!

11 March 2008 - Bothal, Northumberland.

Today we walked to Bothal Village, where we saw a very unusual site - an open top double decker bus.

This used to be one of the main routes from Ashington to Morpeth and buses of all sizes used to struggle up Bothal Bank, but that was long ago. This bus was carrying school children on a visit to the grounds of Bothal Castle and Church among other places. They had a nice fine morning for it.

07 March 2008 - Coney Garth, near Bothal, Northumberland.

On a very windy afternoon today we went to take some photos around Coney Garth, between Bothal and Ashington. There is a lake here that was once a small pond but has been growing for years due to old mine workings. It is a haven for wild birds, particularly large flocks of Canada Geese that stop over on their migration routes.

Below are views of the farm next to the lake and the lake itself which was quite rough with waves formed in the strong wind.

02 March 2008 - Blyth South Beach, Northumberland Coast.

This afternoon we went for a walk at Blyth South Beach. Just as we arrived some heavy rain showers also arrived, what a contrast to a few weeks earlier when it was more like a summer afternoon. In between the showers we walked along to the South Harbour and back.

Below is a view south past the beach groynes towards Seaton Sluice and St. Mary's Island with a heavy shower heading out to sea. In the second photo Gulls congregate on the beach - all facing into the wind.

The third photo is a silhouette of a cyclist on the promenade with the sun's rays shining through a hole in the very dark clouds.

28 February 2008 - Druridge Bay Nature Reserve, Northumberland.

This afternoon we visited Druridge Bay Nature Reserve, on the Northumberland Coast. There are a number of lakes behind the dunes on what was once the Radar Site opencast mine. One of the biggest ever blots on the Northumberland landscape, it destroyed the villages of East Chevington and Radcliffe.  

The national cycle route runs along a track between the dunes and the lake which is also popular with walkers as it makes a good circular walk if you go to the beach as well.

Below are two views of one of the lakes which has a number of huts for bird watchers to use. The third photo is of a flock of sheep who ran across their field and kindly posed for a picture!

24 February 2008 - Amble, Northumberland.

Today we visited Amble again for a walk around the harbour and pier. It was mid-afternoon and the Sunday market was packing up for the day. Some of the fishing fleet were tied up at the quayside while others were returning from sea, as seen in the view below. The second view shows a yacht moored between the old jetties and the north breakwater.

In the third view the Puffin Cruise boat was returning from Coquet Island and what was probably a very breezy trip. Later, we took the last view straight into the setting sun along the pier.

18 February 2008 - Rothbury, Northumberland.

Today we visited Rothbury in the Coquet Valley on business. Afterwards we took a few photos around the village and then stopped at Weldon Bridge on the return journey to take a few more.

Below is a photo of All Saints Church in Rothbury which dates back to the ninth century.

The middle photo is of Weldon Bridge and the Anglers Arms Pub on the north side of the River Coquet which the bridge crosses. The last photo is of a sheep with her three black lambs that were grazing in a field near the bridge.

17 February 2008 - Warkworth Beach and Amble, Northumberland Coast.

Today we walked south along Warkworth Beach to the north side of the River Coquet at Amble. More clear skies - the weather this February keeps on getting better. This beach is rarely busy which is why we like it and dogs like the freedom to run and enjoy themselves, like the pair in the first photo below.

In the second view a fishing boat was moored on the north side of the breakwater, cleaning his catch by the look of it. He certainly attracted plenty of birds for a feeding session.

The third view shows a yacht entering the River Coquet, with Coquet Island in the background.

16 February 2008 - Hauxley Beach, Northumberland Coast.

Today we walked from the north end of Druridge Bay to Hauxley and on towards Amble. It was another beautiful February day with clear blue skies.

The tide was a long way out as can be seen from the view below of the beach and the white chalet houses at Hauxley, which always seem to gleam from a distance in late afternoon sun.

There is still a lot of coal dust washed up on beaches in this area and today the dust was left in patterns on the sand by the waves, seen in the second photo. There are plenty of rabbits too and the third photo shows the dunes at the north end of Druridge Bay, riddled with rabbit holes.

13 February 2008 - Bolam Lake, Northumberland.

Yet another lovely sunny day so we headed for Bolam Lake for an afternoon walk. The walk around the lake is short but always interesting and the Swans are always entertaining in their never ending quest for food.

In the first photo a pair of Swans and a pair of Geese cruise up to the camera looking for food, they turned away quickly when they saw we had none! In the second photo the Swans were out of the water waiting for passers-by at their favourite feeding place.

The third photo is a view from the east end of the lake where Holly berries were still plentiful.

12 February 2008 - Blyth South Beach and Harbour, Northumberland.

On yet another beautiful day of bright sunshine we visited Blyth South Beach and walked along to the South Harbour and West Pier.

It was so warm people were commenting that it felt like early summer and young children were even paddling in the sea (which certainly was not warm!)

Today was one of the biggest tides of the year and at low tide the sea was a very long way out from the shore, as seen in the bottom two photos.

When we were at the harbour a yacht was leaving the River Blyth and gleaming in the sunshine as seen in the view below.

11 February 2008 - Goatscrag Hill, North Northumberland.

Today we went for a walk to Goatscrag Hill in North Northumberland. This area is known for it's ancient cup and ring markings and recently for plans to build a wind turbine power station at nearby Barmoor.

The views here are stunning in all directions - the Cheviots to the west and Kyloe Hills to the east.

Below is a view along the ridge towards Ford Moss, while the second photo looks over Barmoor to Kyloe Hills, imagine a power station here with huge wind turbines!

The third photo is a view to the Cheviots with a large fire in between and mist in the valley beyond.

11 February 2008 - Old Bewick Church, North Northumberland.

Returning from Goatscrag Hill we stopped at the tiny Holy Trinity Church at Old Bewick beside Bewick Moor. At this time of year the churchyard is covered with Snowdrops and the church itself takes on a golden glow in the low winter sun.

Below is a view of the church from the entrance gates.

10 February 2008 - Bothal, Northumberland.

Today we went for a short walk to Bothal on a mild sunny afternoon. Bothal can be a sun trap, down in the valley of the River Wansbeck. This horse was still well wrapped up though and looking as if he was waiting for his knight in armour in front of the castle.

Down at the stepping stones over the River Wansbeck a little later, the rays of the setting sun were shining through the trees, creating a misty appearance and strong reflections in the river, as seen in the second photo.

09 February 2008 - Amble Harbour, Northumberland.

Today we visited Amble Harbour for the first time this year. There were quite a few people fishing on the pier as well as others out for a walk. In fact it was quite busy at times, as seen in the photo below.

Most of the fishing fleet were out at sea with only a handful of boats tied up at the quayside including the brightly painted Adella seen in the second photo.

04 February 2008 - Cambois Beach, Northumberland.

This morning we visited Cambois Beach as the sun was rising. Although the low clouds obscured the sun there was plenty of colour in the sky.

The first photo below is a view along the beach with the sun just behind the two wind turbines in the sea.

The second view is a zoom shot through the spray a little later to Blyth. On the left of the pier a cargo ship can just be seen passing by.

© Copyright - All photos on this website are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced on any website or in print without prior permission. To use any photo please use the enquiry form at les-bell.com

© Copyright - All photos on this website are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced on any website or in print without prior permission.

To use any photo please use the enquiry form at les-bell.com