Hurlestone Tower and the golf ball

This was to have been a working day but, despite good intentions, it didn't turn out like that. I did a couple of chores this morning while MrM gave a mandolin lesson, but after that we lost the plot!

We had a cup of tea with Tom and Dorothy, who paid a surprise visit - it's a while since we've seen them, so there was a lot to catch up on. Then, after a very late lunch, we decided that the weather was far too nice to spend the rest of the day indoors, and went for a walk from Weetwood Moor. Some fabulous views all the way! I had assumed that Hurlestone Tower, to the right in the blip, is quite old. But, apparently (thank you, Google!), it was built in 2000 by the owners of nearby Lilburn Tower to commemorate the millennium. Although it looks like a folly, it was designed as a conference venue and observation point, and is named after the Hurl stone, a medieval carved stone cross.
The Alnwick 'golf ball' -  the Brizlee Wood radar site - can be seen in the distance just below the hill to the left.

It was a lovely walk, but just a little too long for the time available, and the last hour was a bit of a route march and uphill most of the way! We were both far too warm by the time we reached the car! Home just in time for MrM to change and pick up his fiddle before heading out to play at the Warkworth Ceilidh this evening. I'm about tackle a few of the jobs I had intended to do this afternoon...