Northumberlandia

We found out about Northumberlandia by accident - it had been featured on BBC Breakfast News about a year ago and I was determined then that I wanted to go and see her one day.   She is built on the site of an old quarry and was constructed from 1.5 million tonnes of rock, clay and soil.  She is seven times the size of a football pitch and there are four miles of paths up and down and around her.  She's now managed by the Land Trust in conjunction with other partners, including various wildlife trusts.  Them's the facts.  All very worthy and a fabulous use of an old quarry, generating income to carry on with the cause.  

However, what we weren't prepared for was how much we laughed as we walked round her.  She instils a tremendous sense of the ridiculous and naughtiness and we loved her so much, that we went and visited her twice!  

Obviously we had enormous fun, standing on her magnificent bosoms and waving to each other from our respective peaks.   I only wish mine were as magnificent, but I think she's had a lot of work done!  

While on top of her head, a couple of old quarrymen and their wives climbed up and we listened while they talked about how the site is mined.   On our second visit, we stood on her head for ages and watched all the trucks, trying to work out the systems they used to get the coal out.   Fascinating.  

We even had a mini earthquake.   Well, I still maintain it was an earthquake.  Amanda is more of the opinion that a controlled explosion had been set off underground to loosen up some more coal.   I love living on Planet Susan!

Of course, we could only remain relatively sensible for so long before we started on the photo opportunities - there weren't too many people around but those that were at the site seemed up to naughtiness themselves so I don't think we caused too much of a stir!

The weather wasn't great on either of the days that we went but it really didn't stop us larking about, lying in the grass or on benches.  The funniest comment was back at the car when Amanda suddenly announced she was "damp in the seating area"!   A fab place to visit - well worth a jaunt out there.   And I'm glad we saw it when it was relatively quiet - they are currently in the process of constructing a visitor centre and tea rooms, so I expect they're anticipating a lot more visitors once word gets out.