Tuesday  21^st November – Hauxley Nature Reserve (285023)
by Mora Rolley

This week we went ‘twitching’, in a very small way. A greater yellow legs and a grey phalarope had been sighted at Hauxley Nature Reserve just south of Amble. On the previous Sunday approximately 200 birdwatchers had visited the site to watch, or tick, this rare vagrant to Britain, that’s the greater yellow legs. It was flying between Hauxley and East Chevington but we eventually found it ‘showing well’ from Eric’s Hide at the southern end of the reserve. Sadly, the phalarope had either flown on its way or was hiding. We walked around the reserve, which has a variety of habitats and hides. A flock of approximately 70 white-fronted geese flew in while we were there to land on one of the islands and as we enjoyed looking at them a bean goose was spotted amongst them. Many snipe prodded their way along the bank of the lake. These are a species I always enjoy seeing. One of the hides faces towards the sea over a feeding station set amongst the hedges and small trees. A sparrow hawk shot through the clearing scaring all the passerines off the feeders but they slowly returned, tree sparrows, tits, chaffinches and bullfinches (below).

 Hauxley is well worth a visit as one never knows what will call in. Sadly the main hide burnt down a year ago, there are plans to rebuild it bigger and better, but there is still a small visitors centre, eight hides and a warden and volunteers to welcome visitors as well as lists of the birds that have been seen in all the local NWT reserves. In spring and summer the wild flowers are superb, as well as the birds.

Seaview Cottage

This very attractive stone built cottage (at the end of a quiet row of 4), has an excellent location overlooking fields to the coast in the tiny hamlet of Dunstan just a 1/2 mile from the pretty fishing village of Craster. The property has just been beautifully remodeled & refurbished (2011) to a very high standard indeed with extra bathrooms, a new kitchen, large sunny garden room & utility with cloakroom in a seperate block. It has lovely gardens to the front and rear. A country pub & restaurant is a short walk away, and picturesque walks can be taken along the coast from Craster to the spectacular ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle and the beach in Embleton Bay. A sandy cove to the south is approx. 1.5 miles away.

3 Bdrms (6) Cot & Highchair. Regret no pets. Linen & Towels. Gas CH. Sea views. Coast 1/2 mile.     Non-smokers.

LOVAINE HOUSE

This beautiful property available for a limited period only in 2012, is one of the famous landmark coloured houses overlooking the Aln estuary in Alnmouth. Quietly situated at the end of the row, the property has spectacular terraced gardens and decked areas with great estuary views and is equipped and furnished to very high standards. You can walk through the gardens directly to the estuary and the beach is just a stroll. All the village amenities including popular eating places and golf course are a few minutes walk away.3 Bdrms (6). Gas CH. Linen & Towels. Regret No Pets. No Smoking. WiFi. Superb Terraced gardens With Estuary Views.

The first of Northumberland’s towns and villages turned on their Christmas Lights on Sunday 20th November.

Amble got the festive season underway on Sunday (20th November) with the turn on of its annual lights display. This took place on Queen Street and included a parade starting at The Wellwood. Seahouses is next on Thursday 24^th November. There will be carols on Main Street at 6pm followed by the switch-on at 6.30pm. Alnwick lights will be switched on at 7pm in the Market Place on Friday 25^th November, but the festive entertainment will begin at 6.15pm. Father Christmas will appear to turn on the lights at Warkworth is not having a Christmas lights ceremony but they will come on in time for the late night Christmas shopping evening on Friday 25^th November. Alnmouth switch’s on their lights on Saturday 26^th November at 4.30pm outside the Hindmarsh Hall. Bamburgh is hosting its celebrations on the same day, with a Christmas service at St Aidan’s Church at 5.30pm, followed by the switch-on at The Grove at 6.30pm. Belford finishes off on Saturday 3^rd December and switch’s on their lights at 3.45pm.

Honeysuckle Cottage

This attractive stone built cottage, with rear extension, was originally a farm worker’s cottage on The Green farm about 2 miles up the North Tyne from Wark and 3 miles from Bellingham. The cottage has an enclosed front garden with a small stream running just to the side and has lovely views over the surrounding countryside. Fishing on the North Tyne for one rod can be arranged with the owner. Shops, restaurants and pubs are found in both Wark and Bellingham. The cottage is situated on the edge of the Northumberland National Park and is just a short drive from Hadrian’s Wall, Kielder Forest and Water. This is superb walking country with the Pennine Way and Hadrian’s Wall Trail close by. There is an 18 hole golf course at Bellingham and the area has many historical sites, stately homes and famous gardens to visit.

2 Bedrooms (4)  Detached. 1 pet by arrangement. No smoking. Night storage heaters. Fishing. WiFi.