Bamburgh Castle and Berwick-upon-Tweed

Welcome back...

The journey begins...

Ever tried to restart something you’ve given up on? It’s a crushing feeling, most likely accompanied with dragging feet, trembling hands, and the sudden desire to retreat back to one’s comfort zone (e.g. bed) because fatigue has just arisen as a result of a sinking sensation of fear, probably of messing up again. That somewhat summarizes how I felt on commencing my blog for the third consecutive year in a row. Anxiety would be far too extreme, but a hefty dose of worry was undeniable.

I mean honestly, would anyone bother reading/ taking notice of a blog that’s had a year-long hiatus (NOT because of blogger's block)?

Train station brekkie

Bag of treats - best company for any train trip

They say that mood is in sync with weather. I think that’s rather subjective. For example, rain might be appreciated much more in a dry and arid environment than in a cold atmosphere that appears to receive this more than necessary throughout the year. So it’s difficult to say that the feelings associated with weather are universally identical. 

Passing Hogwarts (Durham)

However, no matter where I am when this occurs, the beaming sun always brings out the brighter side of myself. And with the exams and assignments officially finished, the seductive voice of travel sounded more than just alluring. Time to de-stress from a year of consecutive all-nighters and endless hours of biological and cultural anthropology revision. It was DEFINITELY time to start blogging and castle-hunting again, I thought. And with that, it was off to the train station for me shortly after that bold decision…

Admiring mother nature along the way...

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne

Bamburgh Castle

I’m not a huge fan of buses; I much prefer a long, sleepy train journey through valleys, caves etc. However, the journey to Bamburgh Castle was definitely delightful. The sunshine obviously helped but for me, the best part of it was being able to see the Holy Island of Lindisfarne (at least that’s what my understanding of geography told me) – a sight I’ve been longing to view personally for quite a while now. That being said, the scenery along the way was NOTHING in comparison with the castle itself. See below if you don’t believe me.

Bamburgh Castle

Yeah, I was flabbergasted. And I think the (pleasant) shock in my face amused the driver who said, rather casually, that he confronted this majestic and massive historical landmark on a daily basis.

Castle windmill

The Billiard Room

Looking into the King's Hall

Whilst you’re in the castle, you have a choice of frolicking through the greenery, exploring the state rooms which echo a fusion of Victorian and Medieval architectures, and admiring the Northumberland coast and beach. Here’s a tip: do it ALL. And take lots of pictures too, especially if there are interesting exhibits on (hence the photogenic owl). 

"Hoo" are YOU?/lame joke, ikr

If you visit the state room, be sure to get the audio tour - incredibly informative and interesting, I liked how you got to hear additional stories regarding the castle (particularly the ones about wandering ghosts...)

Castle kitchen

I didn’t get time for this but I think at a certain hour of the day, it the tides are low enough, it’s possible to walk over to the Farne Islands where you can admire the undeniably adorable puffins and other winged-wonders.

The Farne Islands

Oh and we can't forget about the sitting pigeons - so cute :)

Berwick-upon-Tweed

Berwick Bridge

With every journey, an ending must occur at some point. Sometimes they can be quite simple, like walking out through the door to exit a museum. But in other cases, the finale is much less smooth. Which brings me onto what happened to myself after my castle visit. Obviously the learned traveler would automatically purchase a return (bus) ticket, knowing that the best way home was back the through the route they started with. However, despite my efforts, the mode of transport I was hoping to board failed to come to my rescue.

I felt like I was falling down into a bottomless pit, never expecting to catch even the faintest glimpse of daylight once again.

Nature at its best

You know the saying, keep calm and carry on? That becomes tremendously difficult when panic peaks. However, I believe that help will always find its way to you when times become desperate. And luckily for me, this was true. Through the assistance of several kind strangers who I met, I soon found myself driven back speedily to Berwick-upon-Tweed railway station, the place I had landed in prior to my journey to Bamburgh. Unfortunately though, time was not cooperating. I soon found out, to my annoyance, that the train I needed to catch was not due to about an hour later. Won’t anything go right today? I thought.

Journeying into the sunset

But then the sun descended down with a friendly gaze, and beckoned me to depart motionless and silent railway station. By following its gestures, I soon found myself next to the River Tweed, just below the magnificent Royal Border Bridge, next to the castle wall ruins. It was then that I realized that an hour’s wait for the train was not so bad, for I was transfixed by the breathtaking sight standing boldly just in front of me. It felt rather tearful when we had to say goodbye.

Farewell, Berwick

So, morals of the story:

1. Always have plan B (if necessary, implement plans C, D, E, F.. you get the idea)
2. Don’t panic (obvious point but seriously, it gets you nowhere)
3. Never give up on your passion (I mightn’t be the best blogger in the world, but my love for writing is everlasting).
4. Take time to immerse yourself in the wonders and culture of the local surroundings (the knowledge you gain from travelling is life-long, and definitely make good stories to tell your friends and family during dinnertime!)

This year’s slightly different – I’ll be busy with summer work. Nevertheless, expect frequent posts, words of wisdom, and daily rambles about travel, food, fashion and life from yours truly soon.

#Imback (finally)

Royal Border Bridge, Berwick-upon-Tweed

Conisbrough and Doncaster

“Let’s start at the very beginning…”

If there’s one thing I’d missed more than anything else (apart from my family) during this long and stressful academic year, it was traveling. The freedom to travel anywhere at any time is best experienced, in my opinion, on the railway. 

The next train departing from platform 6 is for...

And it’s not just the journey to the destination (in this case, Conisbrough then Doncaster) that’s exciting. For me, part of the joy is simply standing on the platform waiting for the train to arrive. Because whilst you’re there, you become immersed in a world full of gossip and chatter from arriving passengers, and the heartfelt and at-times tearful goodbyes to loved ones. 

It’s a colorful scene, both visually and in speech.

Conisbrough

If photography is a hobby of yours, then choose Conisbrough as your next shooting location (my photos can support my statement, no joke).

I think it’s crystal clear by now that I am an ABSOLUTE castle-fanatic. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else on a pleasantly sunny day than going castle-hunting. On this occasion, I had little Conisbrough Castle set on my mind. Visible from its local train station, this 12-century castle is notable for its circular shaped keep (fyi, a type of tower). 

Personally, I felt that the best part of it was being able to head all the way up to the recently restored roof top and simply admire the beautiful scenery South Yorkshire has to offer (look out for the viaduct and the passing trains btw, it’s an absolutely magical scene!).

    

If it’s not crumbling walls you fancy, fret not. There’s a new and free exhibition explaining the castle’s history just behind the ticket office where you get your tickets to enter the castle. And if it’s a sunny day (like it was for me), taking a casual stroll around and on the castle grounds is another (or should I say, mandatory) option. 

Looking out from the top of Conisbrough Castle

Doncaster

The mighty minster of Doncaster

If you’ve been following my blog posts, you’ll realize that most of my adventures start out by train, followed by hours and hours of power walking (absolutely necessary if you’re on a strict time-limit and want to see a good 80%, on average, of what the town has to offer!). 

Throughout all these trips, the one thing I’ve learnt is that you need to check 1) the train ticket price and 2) the duration of the journey to see if the destination you’re aiming to go to is actually worth going to (e.g. you wouldn’t want to waste 3 hours going to somewhere and 3 hours coming back (making it a total of 6 hours on the train) for 5 hours only, and simultaneously, having to pay more than 60 quid << yikes!). 

After thorough investigation (well, in truth, a 10 minute scan on nationarail.co.uk), I figured that it would be worthwhile stopping at Doncaster as well on my way back from Conisbrough as the ticket I paid for would allow me to do so before I went home.

Next stop: Doncaster.

I can't say that I found Doncaster strikingly enchanting at first. However, after walking around and giving it some time, I soon found comfort in my surroundings and highly attracted to its minster ( a complete architectural masterpiece in my opinion).

So, in case you didn't know/ haven't already realized, I have a thing for religious buildings (particularly majestically decorated cathedrals).

Honestly, who wouldn't? :)

Flags of the minster

Final thoughts

It’s good to strive for perfection but nothing’s perfect in life. So when you can find happiness and peace in something you like to do (i.e. traveling, particularly after a long and stressful year at uni), then I believe that your life is close to perfect (at least it is for me anyway).

Too cute! 

Let my travel adventures and blog posts continue. 

Hello Summer 2014

Yarm - North Yorkshire

One word: FINALLY

No need to translate the meaning of that. I've heard a lot about how "nice" and "beautiful" Yarm, a little town near my place, was from a couple of my friends but I'd never gotten the chance to go there. Behold Thursday, a relatively sunny day and one of which I was fortunate to have as a one of my "off-from work" days. Given that I had an appointment back at home at about 5pm, I figured I had enough time to finish off my morning chores, head to Yarm for taking photos and a spot of lunch, AND make it back in time for my appointment. The train to Yarm only comes every one hour so, even though I wanted to relax, my time was somewhat limited.

Pathway towards a shopper's paradise

A journey worth the walk

On my arrival at Yarm station, I was surprised to find that my iphone was claiming that Yarm high street (i.e. town centre) was a good 20-25 minutes walk away. Although this isn't the first time I've been to a station that's a fair but definitely walkable distance away from the town's centre (e.g. Northallerton), I always assumed that Yarm's one would be no less than 10 minutes away from the high street. Probably because I couldn't see over the hedges that surround Yarm station; the train from my place to York is the one that stops at Yarm and so I every time I did pass it, I was on the train and so always assumed that the town centre lay just over the hedges. Nevertheless, the helpful signs and my iphone were both incredibly helpful and I soon found myself heading, in the right direction, towards the town centre. It was an absolutely wonderful walk too.

Yarm town centre

Passing by the grand houses of Yarm often composed of neatly arranged plants or flowers, a simple pebbled yard with all sorts of dog-friendly gizmos and gadgets and, on certain occasions, a posh and brightly colored car, one can really get a feel of how the inhabitants of this picturesque town thrive. I was particularly jealous of the presence of the nice little nearby park otherwise known as Wiley Flats; the lush green had been suitably paired with some common playground equipment but was also given a funky modern twist with a three dimensional sculpture (at least that's what it looked like to me from afar!). Unfortunately I didn't have time to explore Wiley Flats, let alone take many pictures of it, so I'll have to do that when I next go to Yarm for lunch.

Yellow car in Yarm: perfection in simplicity captured

Romantic lighting on Wiley Flats Park

Chic and Stylish: Boutique-Mania 

You'd be crazy not to notice the sheer amount of boutiques and independent retailers there are in Yarm. From designer-branded pret-a-porter outfits to tailor-made designs, from delicately hand-crafted or picked creations to locally-produced delights, Yarm was certainly a classy place to shop in for all fashionistas or in general shop-a-holics (like myself). The sleek and slender, multicolored wooden frames that supported the glass forming the shops' windows helped to further reinforce its prim and proper nature. You can even find restaurants hidden inside these boutiques serving classic English delicacies; staying in a shop for the whole day is definitely an option. At the same time, there were more commonly heard of stores like Sainsbury's and Costa Coffee.

Brightly colored shops with an eclectic range of products - Yarm's high street at its best

Little cafes providing food cooked to perfection - characteristic of Yarm

The combination of boutiques and large company managed shops was, for me, a perfect balance. Whether you're looking for the perfect d wedding or prom dress, a quirky tea set or even some simple but vital groceries, it was just the matter of going from one shop to, literally, the next to find all of the above. What really did it for me were the tiny, independent cafes. A simple grilled panini with a bit of salad and some homemade nachos had my stomach grinning from ear to ear, and being able to enjoy it whilst listening and watching people chat away about what was going on in their life truly had me giving the atmosphere a five star rating.

The quirky boutiques of Yarm

It was the epitome of a shopper's paradise

And, to a certain extent, a big contrast to the place where I'm living which is jam-packed with charity shops (very ideal for a student budget like mine in my opinion though). The cars were also interestingly parked on a cobbled path that lay directly in between the road and the pedestrian's path. If you go during the academic year, like now, you'd also witness the shadows of Yarm's finest secondary school students, strolling casually on the high street during lunchtime in crisp and clean suits. I felt like I'd entered a parallel world only a stop or two by train away from my place.

Dresses from the family-run business, Strickland & Holt, established since 1854

From beyond the looking glass windows of the cafe

There were some similarities however. The atmosphere was just as lively and friendly, and the town hall/ clock tower was pretty much identical architecturally. The differences were what made Yarm a special place for me, along with the good weather. It's officially my little getaway when I feel like indulging myself in the materialistic world after a stressful week at uni, without a doubt.

The perfect lunch for a glorious day in Yarm