A short break based near Rothbury, stopping off at the Hirsel near Coldstream en route (well worth a visit). We stayed inland this time and visited 2 of the National Trust’s “flagship” properties, Cragside and Wallington. The cost of maintaining these places must be astronomical! Cragside, the country home of William Armstrong (probably the Elon Musk of his day insofar as his innovations and wealth are concerned) was the more interesting. Engineering and hydraulics, largely a self-taught pioneer; I now plan to read his biography.

Recommended area and locations!

Fabulous weather (weren’t we lucky!) and very long hours of daylight. Self catering. Wonderful beaches and sea swimming, though maybe a tad chilly for some. Good to take bicycles, both islands are pretty flat, and little traffic. No theme parks or suchlike, so we really needed to do our own thing; but there’s masses to see and do, not least the wildlife / birds. Regularly heard the croaking corncrake, but didn’t see one