Day 1: Hertford to Sunderland via Lincoln
With Lisa from Avalon Travel and Dean our trusty driver, plus our 43 travellers assembling in good time at Hertford East station we were able to set off earlier than the planned 8:00 departure, and, despite the Sunday closure of the A602, we soon reached the A1 via Digswell and headed northwards. A pit stop at Peterborough Services for a quick coffee and necessary loo visit enabled us to reach our lunchtime destination, Lincoln, where the sun was shining.
As it was Sunday, we were unable to visit the cathedral until after 11:30, so several Hertfordians took advantage of an open top bus tour of the city. Our living guide (none of this pre-recorded business for us!) was very interesting and ‘knew his stuff’. There is much to see in Lincoln and the city and its environs are steeped in history. Then followed a visit to the cathedral, where I always marvel at how these beautiful buildings are built. For me I was intent on finding the RAF Bomber Command chapel and its memorial to my father’s friends who never returned from WWII.
 |
 |
Picking up a sandwich, we made our way back to the coach for the long journey to Sunderland, with a brief comfort stop in Yorkshire, arriving at our hotel, The Grand, shortly before 5:00. Everyone was delighted to be welcomed by the wonderful Colin and a cup of tea, before locating our enormous rooms with, for many, a view of the fabulous beach and the North Sea.
Happy Hour (!) between 5.00 and 7.00 prior to dinner was a treat, and Colin was there with his team to serve our meals… and our first introduction to the bullet carrots! We also had surprise entertainment from Dean, our driver, playing the piano in the restaurant!
A post prandial drink in the bar was a good opportunity to chat to our companions new and old, before retiring for the night ready for a 9:00 start on Monday morning.
Day 2: Durham
With the early morning sun greeting us, we eagerly anticipated our first excursion. Lisa abandoned us, leaving us in the hands of Alan, a local Blue Badge guide, for our visit to Durham. What a glorious sight as one enters the city! The Cathedral and Castle are a UNESCO World Heritage Site high up on a hill, guarding Northumbria. Coaches are not allowed in the City Centre, so most of us climbed the hill while others took the Shuttle Bus.
The big attraction is the huge Artwork ‘Gaia’ suspended for all to see in the Nave.
However there is much more to see in the Cathedral, too much for a single visit, and we were fortunate to have a wonderful Cathedral Guide who took us on a grand and very informative tour. Her expert knowledge filled me with inspiration to find out more.
We then had time for coffee in the café, plus temptation in the Cathedral Shop before wandering back towards the main square to find lunch in the Indoor Market. Others found alternative venues for a bite to eat.
 |
We then met in the square by the ‘Man on the Horse’ to walk down the hill to the river Wear for a fabulous relaxing trip on the Prince Bishop River Cruiser, We had spectacular views of historic Durham City, Cathedral, Castle and the Bridges with expert commentary from Captain Jamie and drinks served by Ewan. Glorious! |
 |
 |
 |
There was time for a stroll on the beach before dinner… with more bullet carrots and entertainment from Dean.
Day 3: Beamish, Sunderland National Glass Centre and St Andrew’s Church
Tuesday was a very busy day. Our main visit was to the Living Museum of the North at Beamish. This is nothing short of marvellous: trams and trolley buses take you around a huge site, where there is an old mining village complete with mine shaft, miners’ cottages with productive gardens, a chapel and a school, a steam train, two farms with animals, a fairground complete with helter-skelter and a carousel, the old town (too much to describe), complete with knowledgeable staff, dressed accordingly and describing the virtues of flat irons and lacemaking.
The only downside was the inevitable lengthy queues at all the food outlets, where prices were 21st century and card payments preferred.
 |
 |
We congregated at the coach where Lisa and Dean treated us to Buck’s Fizz and nibbles, before we left Beamish and headed back to Sunderland, for a brief visit to the National Glass Centre, where we were treated to a glass blowing demonstration, before returning to the hotel.
At a request from Judith P, many of our group chose to visit St Andrew’s Church on the way back. This “Cathedral of the Arts and Crafts Movement" continues as a community church which is part of a living tradition of art and creativity.
George Garbutt writes:
St Andrew’s church was particularly interesting; as I entered the church I thought the interior looked like an upturned ship’s hull which is exactly what the architect wanted. The tapestry based on a painting by Burne-Jones, The Adoration of the Magi and made by Morris & Co as well as the Chancel carpet were worth seeing. Also interesting was the font cover by Robert (Mouseman) Thompson with carved mouse running round the top.
 St Andrew's Church |
 The Mouseman's mouse |
Another stroll on the beach in the sunshine, before more dinner-time amusement. Colin and his team discovered that it is impossible to serve 35 portions of fish and chips at the same time.
Day 4: Newcastle
Wednesday’s escapade was a coach tour of Newcastle, with our brilliant, informative guide Tom. Such a lot of history that few of us knew about. A comfort stop at the Baltic Centre, which is in Gateshead, enabled us to take in the amazing views of the famous bridges and the Sage. We continued to the Laing Art Gallery, where our learned and intelligent members took in the whole art experience… and lunch… while some of us set off hot foot to the Eldon Centre, to surprise Colin at his day job in Boots! He was delighted to see us and rewarded us with perfume samples to be distributed amongst the southerners in Sunderland.
Thence followed a visit and private tour of Trinity House, which was a fascinating insight into the history of this charity dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers, as well as being a General Lighthouse Authority.
 |
Our route back to the hotel took us on a detour via the magnificent Angel of the North, which is even more magnificent when you are standing underneath it and our group took the opportunity to take multiple arms-outstretched selfies. |
Our final dinner was the time to say thank-you to Colin and his team, to Lisa and Dean for yet another great Avalon tour and to hopefully avoid any more bullet carrots.
Day 5: Burghley House, Stamford
All too quickly our brief but action-packed visit to the North East was at an end and it was time for departure and the long journey homeward.
| After a comfort and sandwich break at the services, our final visit was to Burghley House, just south of Stamford, where I spent my school days. We had time to look around the impressive house, built by William Cecil in the time of Elizabeth I and gardens, originally designed by Capability Brown. The Sculpture Garden is full of secrets and the Garden of Surprises is … |  |
 |
It was very hot, so an ice-cream was essential before boarding the coach home. However, sadly, this was where we said our farewells and thank you to Lisa, who was heading homewards to Northampton, leaving us in Dean’s capable hands. |
An uneventful drive back to Hertford resulted in the inevitable lengthy traffic jam on Gascoyne Way, but we had made good time and, having retrieved their luggage, the company was eager to be home.
Once again, Avalon Travel had provided us with an excellent adventure this time to the North East.
Always remember, though, what goes on tour, stays on tour. 😉
Liz Cooper