Hexham

Yesterday as I was meeting my better half for lunch after she finished her shift at work, I had a trip into Hexham. As there was a little rain when I left, I decided to leave the cameras at home. I was not sure the batteries were charged anyway, but the wet and digital don't seem to mix well. However, the weather did clear up, and the journey into Hexham was rather pleasant.

Though the start of the trip was a bit stressful as the first bus from my village was late, as usual, and I was concerned that I had missed the connection to Hexham. But I was there in time to make the connection, just. Had I missed it I would have had a two hour wait. While that would have still got me there in time for meeting my better half on time, I wanted to go wondering before hand.

But going back to the journey, the route the bus takes to Hexham passes by and through some plantation woodlands and with them being a mixture of Spruce and Pines, it looks as though nature has just painted great swathes of the woods with a golden paint brush, just to delight the eye. Also, with some of the fields still in stubble after the harvest and before the plough, there were pheasant and lapwings in them, adding to the visions that lighten the heart of a damp traveller.

While I have explored Hexham before, this was before getting some inside knowledge, and I do think that Hexham is a picturesque place. It is an affluent area and this is reflected in the type of shops, as well as it being a place that tourists visit. However, it was locations that I had identified as being possibly interesting for wildlife that I most wanted to look at. While in one of these places I spotted a Red Squirrel. An all to brief sighting but one that made my heart smile.

I also found a location where I stopped and watched the birds, mainly Blackbirds and Red wings, were feeding off the berries on the trees. As it was now dry, I was wishing that I had brought the cameras, but if I had I would have been late meeting my Girlfriend.

We met up and went for a rather nice lunch. As a tourist destination there are plenty of cafés in the town, and I quite impressed by the food we were served. The only major criticism I would make is that the chicken was clearly imported standard meat as it lacked flavour. For the price, I think a better quality could have been used. Everything else was fine, and I may be seen as being picky, but I think chicken should taste of chicken. Further a local free range bird would be supporting the local economy.

We went for a wander around the town and this time I was able to go into the Abbey. Previously, there had been a service and it would have been disrespectful of the worshippers for me to try and look around. It is an impressive building and awe inspiring. While I have no religious beliefs myself, I respect those who do and buildings like this are a testament to that devotion.

As my better half is playing a part in a play in the local theatre this coming week, I was taken to the theatre as she needed to check on a couple of things. I will post regarding the play soon, but you can only expect a rave review as I am bias.

Then before I had to get the bus back we went for a coffee. It was in a major chain and to be quite honest the coffee was mediocre. It was a pleasant relaxed atmosphere and I can see why she like the place, but the beverage should have been better. However while we sat and the sun set, we could see vast flocks of starlings retiring towards their roost site. While we could not see where that was, nor the morphing displays these vast flocks make, I said I would be returning soon to find and film them. At least I have found someone that understands my passions and will make allowances for them and me.

It was a really nice afternoon, and I am looking forward to seeing my better half strutting her stuff on the stage this weekend.