Holiday

Now that we are pet free, we have been able to venture out for a short break without commitments.

 Taking a new car on a long run was an adventure in itself.  It certainly sorted out any minor problems, though I am still getting used to all of the warning sensors.  It keeps telling me that I am close to a vehicle when I park - I have always been used to looking out of the car windows for that information.

 Rippon Workhouse was our first main visit.  This is only one of 3 surviving workhouses and it has a greater content than the Southwell workhouse which we visited some time ago.

We also spent a day at Durham, walking around the riverside and into the town.  Our main aim was to visit the Cathedral and have lunch on site.  Durham is a splendid city with lots on offer.

We found Andy Cap on the coast at Hartlepool Headland.  It was a bit out of the way, but well worth the visit to see the old church there.

In Hartlepool is the Royal Navy Museum where we were able to board the Trincamalee - The oldest floating warship in Europe.  This museum is a world class venue and well worth a visit.

The next day we were off to the Beamish Museum, but the World Cup Cricket event at Chester-le-Street forced us to make a detour to avoid the traffic.  We found ourselves at Lanchester where there are family related records, so we stopped off at the church and had a walk around the village.  What a splendid place it is.

Then off to Beamish.  This is another "must see" open air museum with towns, villages, farm, mine, trams, buses, railways and etc.  The entry fee is steep, but you get free transport around the very large site, and there are a selection of locals to advise and explain the exhibits and events.  Something here for everyone.  If you walk everywhere you will need a serious rest the next day.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea is a custom built seaside town, high on the coast, with a seafront that has to be walked down to.  There is a Funicular Railway that will transport you up or down the cliff for a small fee, and a pier with an amusement arcade.