Anyone Fancy Northumberland?

[CanonChrissy]

Its almost time (mid June) for my annual trip to Northumberland for a boat trip to The Farne Islands and various places along the way. Is anyone interested in coming or meeting up as a group? I'm hoping for 13 June but nothing concrete. Great for wildlife (birds and seals) and landscapes (castles and seascapes).

Holy Island trip for sunrise if tides are OK is a must too and to see the upturned boat sheds. Great for mono!

I'm going anyway so nothing spoiling if no one is interested.

Edited May 14, 2015 by CanonChrissy

[CanonChrissy]

Haha looks like I'm going alone so far.....I love my own company.

[Black Pearl]

Typically for a Saturday I'm at work and if memory serves I'm at a meeting all day - shame as i would have loved to come along.

I'll enjoy seeing your images though.

[Ryewolf]

Well, I don't mind meeting up, Lindisfarne has been on my bucket list so to speak...

Causeway Crossing Times
Sat 13    03:25 until 10:45 (Safe)    10:45 until 15:55 (Unsafe)    15:55 until 23:15 (Safe)    23:15 until 04:40 (Sun) (Unsafe)

Sunrise: 04:27

[geodar]

I could be up for this, let me know details when sorted, just up the road for me (about an hour or so anyway)

geoff

[CanonChrissy]

Glad there's some interest. I will give it a fefew days to see if anyone else is interested but will start drawing up a little itinerary. Me and hubby might go up there together and he can go cyclecycle whilst  I snap.

[Guest Ron]

Would loved to have joined you Chrissy but I have a busy June with other things.

Even though I would have to travel up from Devon it wouldnt be a problem, maybe next year if you go again.

Ron

 

[Guest]

Middle of June for a sunrise!  God you're keen. Hope it goes well, it's a super coast.

[CanonChrissy]

I did it last year - Im at work so can't download my image but I will when I get home (if I remember).

[Denis]

There was talk here once regarding a Kilder forest trip, I love the Northeast, always have. Unfortunately we are away in June to Cape Verde and cant make it.  If there is a planned northeast trip later in the year, then hopefully I would come up for a few days.

Edited May 15, 2015 by Denis

[Ryewolf]

Thought I'd bump this back up, as Northumberland is a 180-190 mile each way journey for me, I'm going to have to come up the day before.... either that or set off at 11:30pm, drive through the night in order to get there before dawn.....

[CanonChrissy]

Does anyone need suggestions for digs? I usually go out on the boat of billy shiels. I can block book tickets then we pay as we pick them up. Look at www.farne-islands.com.There's various boat  tripstrips to choose from. Also what else would people like to do? What do people hope to get from the trip?

Edited May 20, 2015 by CanonChrissy

[geodar]

I'm easy, a few tigers, couple of bears and some kangaroos would be interesting.

 

if you let me know what I owe for trip i'll settle up when we meet, been to the farnes only once many, many years ago (teenage days), don't forget a hat.

been to rest up the coast many times, so anything does.

geoff

p.s. do you have plans on where we are meeting first?

[CanonChrissy]

I will only book the boat trip tickets in advance but not pay for them. You pay when you pick them up. Will drew up more details this weekend but the idea was to meet on the pier at Sea houses where the boat leaves from. 

[Ryewolf]

I've just been checking out the various trips, I wouldn't mind the Holy Island one (4 hours) - runs at 10am & 2pm - it is on the Ocean Explorer, max 12 people, so guessing it would be wise to advance book.

Other than that, I don't really know the area at all, though I have seen nice photo's of Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh Castles at sunrise...

[CanonChrissy]

What do others think?

[CanonChrissy]

Hi. Just wanted to revisit the site to confirm who is interested. Anyone wanting to meet up on 13 June at Seahouses, can you visit www.farne-islands.com to see which boat trip you prefer then either pm me or post here, by 7 June your preference. I can then post final meet up information. I'm going regardless so if the meet doesn't happen there's nothing lost. Cheers and look forward to hearing from you all.

[geodar]

any boat for me will do

geoff

[CanonChrissy]

Im gonna contact the National Trust to ensure the puffins are breeding as last 2 years its been a little too early.

[CanonChrissy]

OK have emailed national trust. Awaiting their reply re puffin activity. Hope its not too early.

A few tips.

Wear a hat. The Arctic terns will dive bomb you as they are nesting. Pretty scary the 1st time.

Secondly, bring a cloth to wipe and protect camera and lens from salty sea spray. Bigger lenses are better but a smaller one can still capture great pics.

Thirdly you have to pay to land on Farnes unless you belong to National Trust.

Any questions?

[Ryewolf]

I'm planning on taking the Sigma 150-600, I do have a camera storm jacket that I've yet to use. I'm appealing to the weather gods for calm seas and good weather.....

[CanonChrissy]

Ooooo nice. Mines a sigma 150-500

Edited June 2, 2015 by CanonChrissy

[CanonChrissy]

i expect to see puffins, cormorants, shags, terns, seals, guillemots and kittiwakes. I'm excited. Hubby and me are considering an overnight stay on Saturday. Awaiting a response on availability and cost. 

[Ryewolf]

Ive never seen puffins, cormorants, shags, terns, seals, guillemots or kittiwakes, I'd like to see a puffin and seal though. About the only lens I won't be bringing is the Venus 60mm 2:1 macro. I'm making a long break of it as it's quite a distance across country, so I'm staying 3 nights at Berwick and a further 2 nights at Middleham.

[CanonChrissy]

You are in for a treat. The Northumberland coast is stunning. You must visit Alnwick castle gardens, holy island and dunstanburgh castle