A love note to Northumberland ❤️
On Valentine's Day...
It is Valentine’s Day. The day of love. I celebrate it with my husband and three children. We show each other love every single day, even on the days when we disagree. So what is special about today? - my husband asked me on our first Valentine’s together.
Today is special because life gets busy. Sometimes we forget to show our love because we kind of take it for granted. I have made cards, decorated tables, cooked nice meals, gone out for nice meals, given gifts and made gifts. All because it is a good excuse to show our love and makes up for those trickier days when things are a bit harder or don’t go to plan.
But this post isn’t about how much I love my husband and children, because:
1. I am sure you can already guess that they mean the world to me, and
2. I don’t think you want to read about that.
I want to write instead, a little love note to my home county: Northumberland.
It wasn’t love at first sight. I moved to Northumberland when I was fourteen and left behind a great school and friends in Oxfordshire. I was unsure about the move and reluctant to be moving so far north. Of course, there was the pull of being close to my grandparents after years of living far away, and the promise of a double bed and TV in my room. Oh the bribes my poor parents had to dish out. 🙈
However, I have lived here now for eighteen years and I think it is safe to say, I couldn’t think of a better place to be raising my own children. Occasionally, I worry about opportunities they may be missing out, living so remotely far north. But then I hear the news and feel eternally grateful we live where we do. And don’t take it for granted.
Northumberland.
Rolling hills lead to a coast full of character. A dramatic view of castles and crashing waves. Sometimes grey and angry, occasional blue and calm. Stretches of empty sand with no footprints. Rock pools waiting to be explored and cosy cafes welcoming locals and visitors alike. The wind is howling but that doesn’t stop the hikers, the workmen and explorers. It doesn’t stop the farmers or the beach dwellers. Because when the sun shines, the whole of the county soaks up its beauty. Sunsets and star gazing; you won’t find a better place in England to watch the galaxy float by as we allow ourselves to dream. And up in the hills, birds of prey circle and swoop putting on displays for the odd person who stops to look up. Trees reach the sky and colours pop, nature’s pallet. Wildlife hunker down in their winter homes, waiting for their moment in the sun. A Fisherman’s fresh catch served at a table later that day. Communities work together to promote their work, support and sing about the glorious talent we have in the north. Our voices will be heard one day. Stretch your legs and enjoy your surroundings. Stay a while and breathe in the Northumbrian air.
In Northumberland's embrace, my soul finds solace, as nature weaves its magic around me.
There he is - better not leave him out on Valentine’s day and handily he is posing in Northumberland 😉