Amble

We are now on a very exiting stretch of coastland, negotiating our way round rocks instead of sand banks. The three hour trip from Blyth to Amble had a bit of everything. The highest gust we saw was twenty four knots then it dropped away to nothing, leaving an enormous north sea swell with not enough wind to push the boat through it. It rained heavily, then became bright and sunny, then looked as if fog was rolling in, though it didn't quite reach us.

The lighthouse on Coquet island was a reassuring sight but the conditions weren't right for photography.

The approaching fog was a factor in causing us to decide to go into Amble a little earlier than planned, ie two hours before high water rather than waiting for high water as intended. There was enough tide but the one metre swell on the entrance caused both of us some concern and the echo sounder showed only 1.4 once, inpressive when you've got a 1.7 draft.
We didn't touch bottom, perhaps because we were rolling from side to side quite dramatically. Very pleased to tie up!
It was worth it. Able and Warkworth are lovely towns, very quiet with lots of walkers tea rooms and pretty scenery. We cycled along the river to Walkworth castle.

Not sure whether this was built by the English to keep the Scots out or the Scots to keep the English out. This border region has been claimed by both over the centuries.