Monday 29th June to 3rd July : Amble.

We left the berth in Eyemouth at 08-45 having timed our exit to coincide with enough water in the canyon. As we headed into the canyon we saw a fishing boat  apparently about to enter so backed off into the fishing harbour to wait. When the boat did not appear we called them up on the VHF and  they stated that they were waiting for more water in the entrance. As we traversed the canyon we noted a minimum depth of 2.7m which we relayed to the fishing boat who seemed quite grateful for the information and immediately headed for the entrance. We were clear of 'Blind Buss' north cardinal at 09-00 and heading south east. 

We spent most of the passage motor sailing as the wind came and went. Mid morning the Saltire was lowered as we left Scottish waters off Berwick upon Tweed. 

Lowering the Saltire.

By 11-50 we entered the Goldstone Channel heading towards Inner Farne and the inner sound with a fair tide under us. After passing Bamburgh castle, we made a minor detour close to Inner Farne to look at the thousands of sea birds.

Bamburgh Castle. 

Approaching Inner Farne. 

Puffins.

We passed by Dunstanburgh castle and the anchorage at Lower Newton, and a little later, Craster.

Dunstanburgh Castle.

We called Amble Marina at 14-30 and an hour later we were moored. 

At the end of June the weather improved considerably, and we took a couple of days to unwind and enjoy Amble and it's surroundings in the sun! We took the dinghy across the river around high tide, and had a walk in glorious sunshine along the beach, north towards Alnmouth.

Baby boat moored on the north side of the river. 

Endless Northumbrian beach. 

Warkworth Castle.

View of Amble from across the river. 

The following day we used the dinghy to have a trip up river at high tide to Warkworth and had great views of the castle. We had a circular walk taking us into the village, past the castle and further up stream before returning to the dinghy. During our walk we found a useful landing stage upstream of the village.  

Warkworth Castle. 

Landing stage on the river. 

'Norman James' in her berth in Amble Marina. 

Amble Marina at low tide. 

Coquet Island over the rocks at low tide. 

The approach to the marina at low tide. 

The exposed marina cill. 

Looking back at the entrance to Amble from the quay.

We like Amble so have decided to base 'Norman James' here for the rest of the summer. After our month away we took the train home to return a few weeks later in the car and finish our circumnavigation back to Hartlepool.