A shorter day today - 91 km with no large hills. Cloudy morning turning into a beautiful day in the afternoon.Castle & modern history time. This is Alnwick Castle. I don't know any of its ancient history but its modern history includes being used for some of the exterior shots in the Harry Potter series.
A closer view. We didn't go in, but rode around it getting pictures.
This was taken from a bridge over a stream adjacent the castle. I don't know what it's about, but the title "Lion with a Poker Up His Butt" comes to mind.
(Greg - don't be so disrespectful!)
Further along, here's a typical railway crossing - barriers and a small gate house.
Further along, another lovely place for us to have lunch. From a plaque in the adjacent park I learned that this was the site of the
Bedlington Iron & Engine works 1736 - 1867. The locomotive shop was on the other side of the river.
The roads today were all secondary roads - narrow, but not a lot of traffic and generally good pavement.
Today's educational segment is Roundabout Etiquette. Here is a typical sign.
Is anybody familiar with any of the names, other than Newcastle?
Problem - most of the roundabouts have two traffic lanes, inner and outer.
Rule 1 - Traffic entering the roundabout must yield to traffic already in it. I can handle that.
Rule 2 - If you are going from one entrance to the adjacent exit you must stay in the outer lane. (You will be tested later).
Rule 3 - If you are going around 2 roads (eg. in the bottom & out the top), you may stay in either lane as you go around.
Rule 4 - If you are going around 3 roads (eg. in the bottom & out the right side) you must go into the inner lane as you enter the roundabout and then cross over the outer lane when you are exiting. You have the right of way in your lane and as you are exiting.
My problem - I'm pedaling my fragile bike & unprotected body through at 15 kmh and the vehicles around are flying by at 50 - 60 kmh, I need to have a lot of faith that they will obey the rules and give me the right of way, as opposed to making me road kill (which we see a fair amount of, incidentally).
Then there is this monstrosity. Rule 3 actually applies for going around 3 or more roads.
Thanks to Tim & Judy Soles from New Zealand for patiently trying to explain this to me (and probably getting a few giggles from my concerned looks).
My solution:
Where Rules 2 & 3 apply I will stay in the outer lane of the roundabout. If Rule 4 applies I will change it to Rules 2 or 3 by going into and out of the roundabout and doing U-turns on the adjacent roads as often as necessary (possibly while becoming a pedestrian for the U-turn.)
I dunno. Drivers at home do not respect the concept of right away enough for me to feel comfortable!
No pictures of the countryside today, although there are lots of pretty spots.
As we entered into Newcastle, we went through half a dozen roundabouts (safely!) and pedaled towards our hotel we went downhill towards the river and turned right (still safely) and all of a sudden saw 4 bridges spaced closely together. Two for vehicles only, one for rail only and one double decker with rail on top & vehicles on the bottom.
On the other side of the river is this, the Sage Gateshead. It's a music venue & cultural centre.
Our hotel overlooks the river. The trains crossing the bridge may be a noisy - hopefully they don't run often at night.
There is lots more to see here, but unfortunately no time. Another, longer stay is required.
Off to bed for some sleep, where I will probably be having roundabout nightmares!
