Saturday morning (1st) dawned fine. Andy got up early and used the bathroom before the queue formed. Like most homes, it had only one bathroom. He was relieved that it had a shower — something that Andy had got used to in the RAF and overseas. Most English homes still needed to catch up. Heading downstairs, Andy made himself a mug of tea and headed out into the garden. The air was cool and fresh. There was some cloud that could bring showers but it looked as though it could be generally fine. Down the garden, the leaves of the beech tree were turning golden and would soon start to fall. The hazel tree was laden with nuts and Andy saw movement in the tree. It turned out to be a red squirrel — an uncommon sight farther south in England these days. Behind him, Andy heard a window opening and turned round to see Alice smiling and waving from her bedroom. He smiled and waved back, wondering what the plans were for today.
At breakfast, Tony Hill said to Andy, “I’ve got to go to the office this morning until lunchtime. If you drive me down you can have the car and take Alice sight-seeing. Be back about one to pick me up for lunch. Suit you?” Andy just grinned and nodded his head in agreement.
After breakfast Andy suggested to his mother that she go with them if she wasn’t busy. “No, I have some things to do but as long as you visit a bakery for me, I would rather stay home,” his mother replied.
Andy nodded. “Let me know what you want me to buy,” he said, “and we’ll get it for you.” Turning to Alice, Andy asked, “Coast or country?”
“Let’s go coast,” she replied.
Andy nodded and asked, “What about Bamburgh?”
“That sounds nice,” was the reply.
From his study, Tony called out, “Andy, we leave in ten minutes.”
“Okay, Dad, we’ll be ready,” Andy replied and he and Alice headed upstairs to get ready.
After dropping his father off at his office, Andy drove through town, past the castle and headed north on the A1. Turning off at Adderstone, he drove toward the coast and Bamburgh. Sitting next to him, Alice was visibly excited. The castle stood out above the town and against the skyline. It looked impregnable. Parking the car, Andy picked up his camera, a Zeiss, and helped Alice out of the car. The castle was closed to the public but Andy insisted on taking a photo of Alice beside the castle wall. Then they headed down the sand dunes to the beach below. The sea was a gentle swell with the sound of the waves breaking on the shore. Seagulls fought over some scraps on the beach and others wheeled overhead. It was a clear day with a pale blue sky and a weak sun. Seawards, they had a good view of the Farne Islands and, to the north, Holy Island with its castle very visible. They walked holding hands and Alice felt as though she would burst with happiness. Andy regaled her with stories of King Oswald and St. Aidan in the glory days of Northumbria. Alice already knew the history but was happy to listen to Andy telling her about it. As he talked, Andy looked at Alice and felt pride in having her beside him. They got to the northern end of the beach and Andy got Alice to stand on a rock so that he could photograph her with the Bamburgh castle behind her. The sea breeze flattened her dress against her, accentuating her figure and Andy photographed Alice brushing her hair back from her face. She was the picture of happiness.
“Want me to photograph the both of yer?” a voice called from behind Andy. He turned to see a man and his wife walking toward them.
“That would be great, thanks,” replied Andy. He handed his camera to the man with a, “Do you know how to handle one of these? The settings are correct.”
“Aye, lad, ah do,” he replied in a strong Northumbrian accent. He showed Andy his own camera and that they were birdwatchers. Andy jumped the rocks to stand beside Alice and put his arm around her waist, partly for balance.
“Ready, then?” was the query. “Smile!” and the man took the photo. Andy offered to return the compliment which the couple accepted and they went and stood on the same rock. Andy noticed that the camera was a Leica, one of the best makes of camera around. He checked the settings and took their photo, afterwards complimenting the man on his camera.
The man smiled his appreciation. “Aye, it does a good job.” The two couples exchanged pleasantries and each went on their own way. Alice said that she wanted a photo of Andy and he showed her the focus and set the camera, then went and stood with a background of the sea and Holy Island. Alice insisted on taking two photos of him, one full length and one head and shoulders. She felt pleased with herself. They climbed up the dunes and sat for a while looking out to sea, both feeling content with each other’s company. An open coble packed with tourists chugged out towards the Farne Islands from Seahouses. Out at sea, a large freighter was heading for the Tyne. It was a peaceful scene. Andy looked at his watch and said that they had better get moving.
