That's Hexham in the north of England, not the one in New South Wales, Australia.
Ray's sister and her third husband owned a semi permanent caravan there, which Ray and I mostly used as accommodation the first time I visited England in 2008, I think. It was very comfortable, connected up to power, water, sewerage and gas, and only a short walk to the market town centre.The gas fire kept us warm, but I clearly remember the freezing cold unheated bathroom area. I found it too cold to shower with limited hot water pressure, and so I used the bath.
At the bottom of the park was the River Tyne, and one day it rained steadily the whole day. As we say in Australia, the river was running a banker, but it didn't flood. I had never seen narrow fast flowing rivers like the Tyne before. I was super impressed. Australian rivers tend to be lazy, without a rush by the waters to reach the sea.
The town centre was lovely, and very historic. The locals, as I subsequently learnt, tended to vote conservatively. Being surrounded by farms, I wasn't surprised.
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There was partly disintegrated monastery or something like that, so perhaps that's where these gates led.
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I smiled when you mentioned about not visiting this lovely town for fish and chips. :) Your photos are really beautiful, and I very much appreciate your sharing this captivating tour!
ReplyDeleteA lovely part of the country, and an attractive town. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteYou really bring to life the contrasts between Hexham’s charm and its brisk river
ReplyDeleteYou did exactly the right thing with old photos. Even after all these years, you can display a special city with the place names, special characteristics, dates and activities. A(n) historical treasure trove.
ReplyDeleteI loved caravan holidays during school years. I wonder why we have never tried it since then.
DeleteThe caravan looks lovely, the cathedral is wonderful and I have never seen a fast flowing, narrow river. I never would have thought of it but that's why we travel, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteA monastery but only the gates are left. There must be an interesting story behind that.
ReplyDeleteKirk, I doubt the ruins of the early monastery are connected to the gates.
DeleteThe fish and chips aren't good? I'll try to remember that should I ever get the chance to visit. The caravan looks amazing, more like a cabin and a very nice one at that. The town looks very nice and I'd love the street market. Conservatives are liberals?
ReplyDeleteWe never had good fish and chips in England. Ours in Oz are better. Conservatives in Australia are known as the Liberal Party, but it is a dinosaur party.
DeleteTrying to wrap my head around this one. So...riddle me this: what is the opposite of the Conservative party there?
DeleteThe Labor Party is the notionally equivalent to your Democrats. It was originally union based, and labour unions still have a strong say in the party.
DeleteLovely photos. Hexham looks like a lovely town.
ReplyDeleteLovely memories of this picturesque town.
ReplyDeleteThe fish and chip shot might have changed hands now, and they may taste nice, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteGood to see the photos of the trip, I wouldn't like to shower in the freezing cold either at least you had a choice.
The stonework is amazing and those gates look great..
When there's an influx of visitors to Hexham, we shall know who to thank. No wonder you have such pleasant memories of the town.
ReplyDeletePhotographs and memories.
ReplyDeleteBefore the days of the Pacific Highway bypasses, Hexham was always a spot where there would be extensive delays during the Christmas period, as people headed North. And those who headed south would pass through the village of Bookham, where the police were said to hang out with speed cameras, hence the phrase Book 'em in Bookham.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, I've not visited this place, so thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThe search for decent fish n chips - very familiar to me.
Alison in Devon x
I love that homey caravan in a great setting and laughed at the cold bathroom - usually damp too from what I remember. Nicest shower I was ever in had its own heater under the shower head. Luxury. An area full of history.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
To get great English fish and chips you need to be in Yorkshire Andrew - preferably at the coast. "The Magpie Cafe" in Whitby is possibly the best fish and chip restaurant in the world. They also do takeaways.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't you also plant a tree when you visited Hexham?
I had to look up Hexham -- I've been to Newcastle but not that far west out of town. The gates in your photo mark the entrance to Hexham Park at the corner of Beaumont Street and the B6305.
ReplyDeleteI know Hexham well , having a friend there
ReplyDeleteat least that caravan doesn't flood but too bad the bathroom is so cold. So the fish and chips there are not so good?
ReplyDeleteNo Strayer, they weren't good. I was thinking that we didn't like any of the English fish and chips, but I now remember having nice fish and chips at a seaside town, Whitley Bay.
DeleteThis is a long bow, but in 1970 I went for a school excursion from Sydney to the Hunter Valley for a few days and we visited the Oak Milk Factory in the NSW Hexham. In those days we just thought of Oak as the name of a chain of awesome milkbars/diners (you could get a milkshake with an egg added!) and the brand's emergence as the tradies' drink of choice was far in the future.
ReplyDeleteMC, I remember Oak flavoured milk, and Big M with egg in it. I don't know of any chain of Oak milk bars.
DeleteI have never heard of that town.
ReplyDeleteI had the worst fish & chips in Quebec City!
Here in United States place you stayed in would be called trailer and or Mobil home. There not easy to move. Those who live in one of these home is usually look down on. And called trailer trash. It looks quite welcoming.
ReplyDeleteThere is an element of that in that park, Dora, but Ray's sister's van is just for holidays and weekends away.
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