(A) Today is our only full day in Alnwick, and so far it has made an excellent impression on us. It’s a medieval market town of about 8,000 people, a mix of young and old. There are lots of places to eat, lots of bookstores, a music shop, groceries, gardens… all the essentials.
There are students here from St. Cloud State University (in Minnesota). We’ve spoken with a few of them, and they’re very nice. Geography, Education, and History students. My plan is to bring students (with one of my colleagues) here next summer for a month. Kim has offered to teach an Anthropology/Archaeology course
This morning we walked up the road from the castle and had some breakfast. One of the items on the menu is a “Bubble & Squeak,” which none of us was bold enough to order. What we did order, we did enjoy.
After breakfast we walked over to the Alnwick Gardens. They’re part of the vast land holdings of the 12th Duke of Northumberland (whose family owns the castle we’re staying in). We’ll explore more of the gardens tomorrow, before we leave town. Today we focused on the delightful mini-golf course there.
Next we visited the Barter Book Shop. If you want a charming, well-stocked second-hand bookstore, go here.
They’ve got several rare books on sale. Here’s one for somebody with an extra £13,600 lying around.
We explored a bit more of the castle this afternoon. The Duke and his family don’t stay here in the summers, and they let tourists check out some of the place. But I can’t show you pictures of the interior because they’re not allowed. But here are some of the outside…
I’m not totally sure whats going on in that last picture, but my somewhat-educated guess is that it has to do with lowering things (or maybe people) to the dungeons below.
We’re going to head out now for dinner. I’m sure it’ll be wonderful. And I know what I’ll be having to drink alongside my meal…
We’re back from dinner, and it did not go as planned. If that sounds ominous, fear not.
We walked out of the castle gate (it still pleases me to say that) and walked up the road. The first pub we came to was full, so we went to the next. They had run out of about half of the items on their already-modest menu, so we moved on. The next six (maybe seven?) places we walked by were either closed or completely booked. So, we headed back in the direction of our room, dejected. But our saving grace was the fact that we took a different route back than the one we had taken out. And in so doing, we came across the Market Tavern.
In hungry desperation (pardon the melodrama), Kim asked if they had a table for four. Turns out, there was a cancellation, and we were immediately seated! We sat at the table under the round mirror (pictured above) and proceeded to enjoy service, food, and drinks that far exceeded our expectations. If there was a better shepherd’s pie to be had somewhere in town, I would be astounded. And single-malt Scotch wasn’t too shabby either.
As I look back on this evening — and on our brief time in Alnwick — I’m going to remember warm welcomes, good fortunes, and a loving family.