MORPETH

Decided to take a trip out to Morpeth today. There were times during the day when I wished I hadn't bothered. Bus to Newcastle - missed it so had to wait 15 mins for next one. Bus to Morpeth - running 25 mins late. Weather in Morpeth - heavy rain and cold. Bus back to Newcastle - left on time ( Yay). Bus home from Newcastle --- never turned up at all so got a different one which went the long way round. That's when it finally got out of the city centre. Took 20 mins to get across the river as Newcastle was gridlocked.

Apart from the travel problems I did have a good day. Morpeth is worth a visit. It is the county town of Northumberland. The River Wansbeck runs through the town and is prone to flooding. The latest flood happened in September of this year.

My blip shows the free-standing 17th-century clock tower. In its time it has served many purposes including a gaol until 1802 and a meat store. It contains the oldest original peal of civic bells in the United Kingdom. The curfew is still rung every evening at 8pm. In front of the clock tower is The Hollen Fountain - erected in 1885 to honour R W Hollon a charitable benefactor.