My Northumbrian Birthday

I got a tour of my favourite places for my birthday at the weekend. This is me on the beach at Alnmouth mid morning, drinking Moet.  The sun  shone, people exercised their dogs and my kid walked me up the sand.

We went to Barter Books in Alnwick. Everybody should go there, it's based in the old railway station, has its own private carpark on the edge of Alnwick, there are open fires, good food and thousands of secondhand books. Little trains run on the tops of the bookcases. You can take your kids and your dogs. We had coffee and biscuits over an open wood fire. There is the old buffet where they serve soup and hot food. There are lovely seats. The staff are knowledgeable and encouraging. You can stay all day if you like. It's bliss. My very favourite bookshop.

My last surprise was a visit to Alnwick Gardens where Sunday lunch had been booked in the treehouse.

Squidgy cheese hot, with salad, roast beef and Yorkshire puddings, hot chocolate brownie with ice cream. When you go to the loo you have to go up winding stairs to the tower. There is a big fire in the middle of the main room and fantastic views on all sides and the best thing of all on my birthday, the company of my lovely daughter.