My first official pet sit was outside of Newcastle in Annitsford. The three dogs were fun and it was nice just to relax for a bit for four days. I used the time to plan out some of the last months of my trip, scouring places in Germany and Ireland.
One day I took a guided tour around Newcastle Castle. Interesting history of when it was and wasn’t part of Scotland. We started at the church that was created from stones taken from Hadrian’s wall, the furthest advance of the Roman empire. This was built in Roman style as the walls of the tower have a square base.
This is in contrast to Victorian construction that started using round towers for better structural engineering. It doesn’t collapse as easy. Also, there are arrow slit windows for the archers.
We visited an old Black friars Monastery where ale was brewed.
In the center of town we learned about medieval life and trade.
The vampire hare is above the rear entrance of the cathedral building and was added in 1901 to deter grave robbers.
We ended at the castle which was used as a Garrison to house troops and they was also used as a prison.
On a different day I set out for a long walk in Annitsford and Cramlington. I noticed there was a sculpture in the field, called Eat for England. It is part of a national art trail. The artist felt a field that produces grain was the best place for the 15 foot spoon.
