York weather was rather dreary, but we did continue our efforts to see the Flying Scotsman, though it was rather elusive!

We visited the National Railway Museum, lots to see, and it’s free!

The train on the right is a steam train, but has covers on for streamlining. This makes it go faster, but awkward to service, so the covers were removed for general use.

You wouldn’t think it was a steam train! It’s a Coronation Class Pacific. I didn’t really need to read the signs, as I had my walking encyclopaedia with me.

The Mallard, the fastest steam train ever, 126mph in 1938!

A replica of Stephenson’s Rocket.

And here it is, the Flying Scotsman, outside, viewed through a dirty window, getting clean ready for display, but not until after we have left York!

At least the daffodils were out.

Our next stop – Northumberland over Easter, near Rothbury – the only site we could find with vacancies at short notice, but no internet or mobile phone.  It’s 40 years since I lived in this area, and the icy winds brought it all back to me!

I had heard of Tynemouth, but imagined it an industrial wasteland. However, it is a nice place, quite a posh suburb for Newcastle.

We didn’t bother going into Ashington, where Vicky was born, but this is very nearby. Just think Vic, if we hadn’t moved, you could have had a Geordie accent!

This was somewhere we often used to go. “They” have kept trying to build a Nuclear Power Station here, but have not done so far. Let’s hope they never do! It’s a bit like 90 Mile Beach, though not so hard, you can’t take cars on it.

Hexham, close to Hadrian’s Wall.

Newcastle. Another dreary day, we have decided to have another try when we go back south.

Does this remind you of anything?  Sydney Harbour Bridge was designed in the North East of England, and 80% of the steel came from Britain.

We are now in Edinburgh!