OF CASTLES AND ISLANDS

To the west of Tweedmouth, within sight of Scotland, is Norham on Tweed, where the long closed railway station has become a sort of museum.

 There's no track, but the signal box still stands.

Another railway now, in the shadow of Etal Castle. It's the Heatherslaw Light Railway, of 15 inch gauge. The line's diesel runs around its train.

There's also a steam loco, seen at the other end of the line at Heatherslaw Mill.

And here's the mill itself, on the River Till.

This taxibus, on a stage carriage service from Berwick, takes us to Wooler.

A traction engine has had a little mishap in Wooler!

Now we're back at the coast and are traversing a tidal causeway to Holy Island/Lindisfarne.

 Here are a few of the scenes to be found there.

This lovely AEC has brought a group of discerning tourists to the island.

Back on the mainland and our next stop is Belford.

There was once a station on the East Coast Main Line.

The station has long gone, with buses still operating, run by Travelsure.

The next stop is Bamburgh, dominated by its huge castle (Creative Commons License).

This Whites of Calver/Chesterfield Transport coach was found there in 1994.

Back on the ECML, we've now reached Chathill station.

This was once the junction for the North Sunderland Railway. The push-pull shuttle service from Seahouses is seen arriving.

Seahouses station was the outer terminus of the North Sunderland Railway.

Main Street, in downtown Seahouses.

It's here that we find the Olde Ship, a decent free house with accommodation.

Here's an old postcard of Seahouses harbour.

A more modern view sees the harbour being used by fishing vessels.

The rocky beach at Seahouses, with the Farne Islands visible.

Let's take a trip out to the Farne Islands.

Here are the sights of Inner Farne.

Now we head out to the other main island, Longstone, with our last view of Inner Farne.

Here is the famous Longstone lighthouse.

We now take our leave of the Farne Islands.

We regain the mainland at Low Newton-by-the-Sea.

There's a tiny chapel, dedicated to St Mary (Creative Commons License).

There's also the Ship Inn, with its own brewery.

From the beach there are views south to Dunstanburgh Castle......

.....but you'll have to await the next post to see what else is there.Meanwhile, here's a link to the map of the route (so far).