securespark
Prominent Member
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MG Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts
MG Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts
First long road trip and other adventures.
- Thread starter securespark
- Start date
Gomev
Distinguished Member
We went up to Alnwick in the spring to the Gardens for the cherry blossom display. Unless you have a blue badge, and even if you do, be prepared for long long walks. The car park is the the other side of the road and a good distance to the entrance, maybe 10-15 minute walk depending where you end up in the car park. This can be cut a bit with a blue badge, use the main entrance. We only went to the gardens which is near the entrance. The castle we never got to as we had only gone for the gardens. We intend to go to the castle at some time later, but that was a further 10 minute or more walk to get to, and then there's lots of walking around the castle of course.
There are chargers in the car park opposite the hut where you pay, can't remember what operator but they don't appear on any apps like zapmap or electroverse.
I don't know if there is anywhere to park on the castle side of the grounds and whether you can get in on that side, might be worth exploring.
securespark
Prominent Member
Off to Alnwick Castle as I speak. Recently stopped at Leeming Bar for a break and a top up.
Not sure how, but we got down to 50% having done 109 miles.
Gridserve. Easy plug and play with a debit card, no faff. Left on 86%.
Back on A1(M) now.
Not sure how, but we got down to 50% having done 109 miles.
Gridserve. Easy plug and play with a debit card, no faff. Left on 86%.
Back on A1(M) now.
securespark
Prominent Member
Arrived at Alnwick Gardens. Bit of a climb, took a while, with rests.
Then on the way out of the car park, there was a pond. Not full Autumn colours yet, but pretty nonetheless.
On to Alnwick and Lion Bridge to catch some snaps from a distance of the castle.
Then we went to Seahouses for some dinner.
Tried catching some waves, but I needed a bit more time and a better camera. Plus, the bl**dy thing kept switching off....
Then on the way out of the car park, there was a pond. Not full Autumn colours yet, but pretty nonetheless.
On to Alnwick and Lion Bridge to catch some snaps from a distance of the castle.
Then we went to Seahouses for some dinner.
Tried catching some waves, but I needed a bit more time and a better camera. Plus, the bl**dy thing kept switching off....
Last edited:
securespark
Prominent Member
We ended up only having time for the gardens, hence the distance shots of the castle from the bridge. Plus, the castle tickets were what my eldest (born 1999) would call a "rip".
securespark
Prominent Member
We are based this time at the blue and red hotel chain near Newcastle, and tomorrow will be heading North again to Cragside and then will be having a mooch round Newcastle. We had another charge in Seahouses, this time using a 50 kW charger installed by the local council.
I was dreading using it, as the instructions mentioned an app, but after a few moments of delay, it started charging after tapping the card.
Mrs S is understanding the principle of keeping regularly topped up rather than having an ICE mentality regarding "filling up".
We had a run around the other day trying to find a charger and arrived with 4% to spare.
I was dreading using it, as the instructions mentioned an app, but after a few moments of delay, it started charging after tapping the card.
Mrs S is understanding the principle of keeping regularly topped up rather than having an ICE mentality regarding "filling up".
We had a run around the other day trying to find a charger and arrived with 4% to spare.
securespark
Prominent Member
Went to Cragside today.
Cracking gaff! Built by William Armstrong, who was a scientist, inventor, industrial magnate, and philanthropist.
He invented hydraulic systems and the Armstrong gun.
He had the house kitted out with a hydraulic lift (still there, but now worked by electrickery).
There was loads of kit powered by water. Sawmill, laundry, an early dish washer, dumb waiter, and rotisserie.
He also installed an internal telephone system.
The house is in the Tudor Revival and Arts and Crafts style.
I think my Mum was right when she said we had the best weather in the whole country. It's been gorgeous so far.
The entrance to what must have been the courtyard at the stable block at Cragside.
On the way to the house. A group of fungi.
Also on the way to the house, look up the hill, through the trees.
View out of a bedroom window. More lovely Autumn colours.
Stained glass window in the library with designs by Rosetti, Ford Madox Brown and Edward Burne-Jones created by William Morris.
Fireplace in one of the rooms.
More to come.
Cracking gaff! Built by William Armstrong, who was a scientist, inventor, industrial magnate, and philanthropist.
He invented hydraulic systems and the Armstrong gun.
He had the house kitted out with a hydraulic lift (still there, but now worked by electrickery).
There was loads of kit powered by water. Sawmill, laundry, an early dish washer, dumb waiter, and rotisserie.
He also installed an internal telephone system.
The house is in the Tudor Revival and Arts and Crafts style.
I think my Mum was right when she said we had the best weather in the whole country. It's been gorgeous so far.
The entrance to what must have been the courtyard at the stable block at Cragside.
On the way to the house. A group of fungi.
Also on the way to the house, look up the hill, through the trees.
View out of a bedroom window. More lovely Autumn colours.
Stained glass window in the library with designs by Rosetti, Ford Madox Brown and Edward Burne-Jones created by William Morris.
Fireplace in one of the rooms.
More to come.
securespark
Prominent Member
This is the Italian marble fireplace in the Drawing Room. It weighs 10 tonnes and was shipped up the North Sea to Amble. It was so heavy, it was rested on the crag to take the weight.
It has been talked of as spectacular, sensational and sickening, depending on who is describing it!
We drove the lanes round the estate, then went to nearby Rothbury for lunch. Mrs S and myself both had a Stottie, hers came with her fave mix of coleslaw and ham and mine was a cheese savoury: grated cheddar, grated carrot, chopped red onion, mayo and salad cream!
Then it was on to Newcastle, to see the castle , cathedral and train station.
It has been talked of as spectacular, sensational and sickening, depending on who is describing it!
We drove the lanes round the estate, then went to nearby Rothbury for lunch. Mrs S and myself both had a Stottie, hers came with her fave mix of coleslaw and ham and mine was a cheese savoury: grated cheddar, grated carrot, chopped red onion, mayo and salad cream!
Then it was on to Newcastle, to see the castle , cathedral and train station.
securespark
Prominent Member
Newcastlecastlekeep.
Newcastlecastle.
I had an excellent lesson from Mrs S about the history of the castles of Newcastle and that the old one was timber and demolished and the new one was built of stone hence it was called the new castle and that name stuck for the area. But I forgot all the dates and names of Kings etc...
The cathedral, which is otherwise plain sandstone, has an ornate red and gold wooden cased clock stuck on the tower, which looks rather out of place.
Statue of George "The Rocket" Stephenson.
We visited the station as someone told Mum it had good looking architecture.
Victorian build in the foreground, Norman in the distance, with new-fangled horseless carriages in-between.
A load of tankers pulled in while I was there.
I'm not really a fan of graffiti, but one had some very striking designs on.
Unfortunately, after struggling with my reluctant phone, I missed it.
We nipped over the road from the station to have a covfefe and Mum remarked how lovely it was to be able to bask in warm sunlight at 17:30 on an October day in the North East. I got Mrs S to take this photo because my phone was playing up again and it was amazing how quickly in the space of a minute or so the sun dropped.
Before we headed back to the Laveltrodge, we
decided to have a meal. Across the road was a place called Dakwala. A quick look at Google and TripAdvisor reviews told us it was excellent, so we went in.
Even at 18:00, it was rammed, which is always a very good sign.
We had excellent curries (chicken, lamb and paneer for me) with either rice or in my case peshwari nan and mango lassis for £20 a head, service included.
On our return, we stuck His Lordship on charge on an Instavolt 63kW unit.
It took 58 minutes and gave us just under 39 kWh.
Which seems slow to me. We started on 36% and ended on 96%.
This morning we head towards home, but not immediately.
Mum would like to see Durham, so we will have a mooch round.
Newcastlecastle.
I had an excellent lesson from Mrs S about the history of the castles of Newcastle and that the old one was timber and demolished and the new one was built of stone hence it was called the new castle and that name stuck for the area. But I forgot all the dates and names of Kings etc...
The cathedral, which is otherwise plain sandstone, has an ornate red and gold wooden cased clock stuck on the tower, which looks rather out of place.
Statue of George "The Rocket" Stephenson.
We visited the station as someone told Mum it had good looking architecture.
Victorian build in the foreground, Norman in the distance, with new-fangled horseless carriages in-between.
A load of tankers pulled in while I was there.
I'm not really a fan of graffiti, but one had some very striking designs on.
Unfortunately, after struggling with my reluctant phone, I missed it.
We nipped over the road from the station to have a covfefe and Mum remarked how lovely it was to be able to bask in warm sunlight at 17:30 on an October day in the North East. I got Mrs S to take this photo because my phone was playing up again and it was amazing how quickly in the space of a minute or so the sun dropped.
Before we headed back to the Laveltrodge, we
decided to have a meal. Across the road was a place called Dakwala. A quick look at Google and TripAdvisor reviews told us it was excellent, so we went in.
Even at 18:00, it was rammed, which is always a very good sign.
We had excellent curries (chicken, lamb and paneer for me) with either rice or in my case peshwari nan and mango lassis for £20 a head, service included.
On our return, we stuck His Lordship on charge on an Instavolt 63kW unit.
It took 58 minutes and gave us just under 39 kWh.
Which seems slow to me. We started on 36% and ended on 96%.
This morning we head towards home, but not immediately.
Mum would like to see Durham, so we will have a mooch round.
securespark
Prominent Member
We drove to Durham this morning, but I insisted on dropping off here first:
It says the angel of the North has 4 piles.
I think if I'd been standing there years in the freezing cold, I'd have piles too.
Then we carried on to Durham. We used the park and ride, which was very convenient.
The first place we came to was the market square.
Beautiful and looks very continental. Mrs S took this pic.
Came here for brekkie. Through a narrow archway between buildings, then twists and turns this way and that. Really convoluted!
Walked up from the caff towards the castle and cathedral.
I had to borrow my Mum's iPhone as mine was now very unreliable and completely unpredictable unless plugged in.
This is the university library.
There is more to come, I thought I'd sent myself all the photos, but it turns out only that one showed up.
It says the angel of the North has 4 piles.
I think if I'd been standing there years in the freezing cold, I'd have piles too.
Then we carried on to Durham. We used the park and ride, which was very convenient.
The first place we came to was the market square.
Beautiful and looks very continental. Mrs S took this pic.
Came here for brekkie. Through a narrow archway between buildings, then twists and turns this way and that. Really convoluted!
Walked up from the caff towards the castle and cathedral.
I had to borrow my Mum's iPhone as mine was now very unreliable and completely unpredictable unless plugged in.
This is the university library.
There is more to come, I thought I'd sent myself all the photos, but it turns out only that one showed up.
Attachments
securespark
Prominent Member
On one side of the Palace Green is Durham castle, which is a now student accommodation. You can visit, but only on booked guided tours and not on Sundays.
Tucked in a corner was this little robin. I can't edit this picture, but if you zoom in, it's in the bottom right hand corner of the doorstep. It's a bit blurry.
On the opposite side of Palace Green to the castle is the cathedral.
Looking down to the rose window.
Sitting in a cloister looking out on the quad.
We had a bit of a walk, across Kingsgate bridge over the Wear, away from the cathedral, then turned back towards the market square and stopped for a bite.
After that, we headed back to the P&R bus stop and headed for home.
Mum was dead right about the glorious sunny weather in the NE being the best around.
As we crossed the 62, it turned very cold, overcast, and foggy.
We did a total of 516 miles, which surprised me!
Tucked in a corner was this little robin. I can't edit this picture, but if you zoom in, it's in the bottom right hand corner of the doorstep. It's a bit blurry.
On the opposite side of Palace Green to the castle is the cathedral.
Looking down to the rose window.
Sitting in a cloister looking out on the quad.
We had a bit of a walk, across Kingsgate bridge over the Wear, away from the cathedral, then turned back towards the market square and stopped for a bite.
After that, we headed back to the P&R bus stop and headed for home.
Mum was dead right about the glorious sunny weather in the NE being the best around.
As we crossed the 62, it turned very cold, overcast, and foggy.
We did a total of 516 miles, which surprised me!
securespark
Prominent Member
Mrs S took a better shot of the castle without all that hoarding.
Gomev
Distinguished Member
Durham, another of those places that I have fancied going to visit and never got round to and your photos have convinced me it's a must. Just a day trip for us as well.
When on trips I have found the park and rides great places to park up and even get a nice slow charge while enjoying our wandering. Added benefit as a concession (old git) bus pass holder it's often free to use as well
This year so far we've used Stratford upon Avon and Stirling P&Rs.
securespark
Prominent Member
Another trip over the 62 today to Wakefield. Just a day trip. The main reason was Mrs S was taking her folks to meet a long time colleague of her Mum's. 65 years they have known each other!
We had lunch at the cafe next to the remains of Sandal Castle, so of course I had a quick gander.
I took advantage of a break in the weather before our lunch was delivered to get a shot of the castle.
We took the 62 on the way out. As far as the weather went, it was grim, not icy, but foggy in places and heavy rain and of course bad spray.
There was one hold up where an artic had gone into the back of a car. Made a right royal mess of a nearly new Nissan Juke.
On the way back, Mr Google advised going South on the M1 and picking up the 628 and the Woodhead which is a route I've done literally hundreds of times.
There is still an almighty hold up between Hollingworth and the 67, but work has finally started on the bypass.
It won't quite be the same as the original proposal (the M67 from Manchester city centre to Sheffield), but it should ease things for drivers and local people alike.
We had lunch at the cafe next to the remains of Sandal Castle, so of course I had a quick gander.
I took advantage of a break in the weather before our lunch was delivered to get a shot of the castle.
We took the 62 on the way out. As far as the weather went, it was grim, not icy, but foggy in places and heavy rain and of course bad spray.
There was one hold up where an artic had gone into the back of a car. Made a right royal mess of a nearly new Nissan Juke.
On the way back, Mr Google advised going South on the M1 and picking up the 628 and the Woodhead which is a route I've done literally hundreds of times.
There is still an almighty hold up between Hollingworth and the 67, but work has finally started on the bypass.
It won't quite be the same as the original proposal (the M67 from Manchester city centre to Sheffield), but it should ease things for drivers and local people alike.
Archev
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Devilish good horns on that castle
securespark
Prominent Member
Just to say that's the first photo I've taken on my new Xiaomi 15T Pro to feature here.
And in a funny old way, I miss the old Nokia, but not the battery running out unanno
And in a funny old way, I miss the old Nokia, but not the battery running out unanno
Archev
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2021
- Messages
- 3,462
- Reaction score
- 5,508
- Points
- 1,478
- Age
- 76
- Location
- Borowstouness
- Driving
- Not an MG
Grand picture.
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