Arbeia–Roman Fort and Museum

On our last day in South Shields we stopped by the Arbeia Museum.  It was part of Hadrian’s Wall and had remains from AD 160 (and I thought the Priory was old!)  It was a really nice day.  Really, it was just quite a few rocks.  Apparently it is one of the most important collection of Roman ruins in the UK (the fort entrance was re-built).  It was interesting for what it was.

 

Arbeia VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Beamish–The Living Museum of the North

Every time we talk about going up North, Chris always had good memories of visiting Beamish Museum as a school child.  He was SURE I would love it (he’d right I did – minus the migraine).  It is a museum set up on lots of land.  Its all connected by trollies and old busses.  Everything is historically correct – even the staff dress in period clothing.  There are different parts of the museum – first was Pockerly Old Hall and Pockerly Waggonway.  It was an old house and an old rail station.  I think this was my favourite part of the day (maybe because it was first and I wasn't so tired, but who knows!)

 

 

Next we took the bus to the town.  It had an old co-op (store), bank, houses, candy shop, newspaper press, etc.  There was even a Masonic Temple.  It was really interesting and it really felt like you had stepped back in time.  You could even watch them make sweets.  We got a free sample and it was horrible!

 

 

There were a few school groups visiting on the day we were there – but none so cute as the kids (and teachers) who dressed up as Victorians!

 

 

The we stopped by the railway station outside of the town and then headed to the Pit Village.  Mining is a huge part of Northern England’s history so there was a coal mine.

 

 

By now my migraine had kicked into high gear.  So there was one place left to visit – Home Farm.  I must admit I LOVE visiting farms and petting the animals – but this one, not so much!  It was up a huge hill and Chris and I aren't in the best of shape anyway – well, walking up the hill about did us in and by the time we made it to the top we couldn't be bothered to explore too much.  I did get to see a lamb – but that was about all.  We decided to head back home.  We’d been there over 4 hours!  It was such a great place and I think kids would LOVE it.  Its no wonder Chris has such happy memories of it. 

 

Beamish Museum VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Tynemouth Priory and Castle

Chris and I needed to get away so we headed North to South Shields.  We visited here a few years ago and since we didnt celebrate our anniversary we thought we’d do it all at once.  We went back to the same B and B that we stayed at last time and really enjoyed ourselves and, and managed to leave MOST of the drama at home.  On our last visit across the bay I saw some ruins and thought that it would be nice to go and see them this time.  So we went to North Shields to the Tynemouth Priory and Castle.  It didnt disappoint.  It was really amazing and we ended up getting a year membership to English Heritage while we were there (expect more historical exploring this year). Wanna see some pictures???

 

Yes, that sign does say 800 (AD).  It is hard for this American girl, who’s country isnt nearly that old, to imagine that we were somewhere surrounded by things with THAT much history.

 

 

They used the priory for a lot of things and it was heavily bombed during WWII.   The graved were almost all dated the 1800’s – but were really weathered because of being so close to the seaside.  Here is the album if you want to look at all of them -

 

Tynemouth Priory and Castle VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

What A Shame

Here in England we are surrounded by history. Some of the houses, buildings, and streets that I see on a daily basis have been in existence before America was a country. It isn't uncommon to find ancient artefacts from the Saxon era around this area. Just last week they unearthed some artefacts from that era in a playground in Wisbech. It never ceases to amaze me.
Bill Bryson (a very funny writer – GO READ ONE OF HIS BOOKS!) said, in his book Notes From a Small Country, something like, “England has too much history for its own good.” (That isn't the EXACT quote – but the idea of it). I agree. Over here people will think nothing of putting some graffiti on a 400 year old house, kicking over headstones from the black plague, and….

(taken from the bbc.co.uk website)
What a shame. It is just a few minutes down the road from the main town here, and the fire is being treated as suspicious. Although, it is one of the churches in the area I HAVENT visited, Chris and I would always drive by and say, “We should go visit that church” – and now we cant. St. Mary’s Church was built in 1874 – and all that history gone. Not only is it sad for the many people displaced by the fire, but it is sad for everyone living nearby.
Here are some more pictures:
BBC's pictures of the Fire
And if you wanted to know more about this lovely, historic little town I live in:
March, CAMBS
And… If you wanted to read more about the church:
St. Mary's Church
Such a shame.