There’s a very good reason why I try to do the blog the same evening, the girls left four days ago and have been basking in the Mediterranean heat (33 degrees I was told). I’ve been resting and reading the book I started – my summer holidays have begun, and of course feeling guilty that I hadn’t finished the blog.

Anyhow, the last day began with a little more teaching to begin with, then once packed we headed off for Alnwick (pronounced Anick – Northumberland names are very strange.) I had explained that it was here that they shot the first lesson of riding broomsticks in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – so they were really excited. (They hadn’t heard of Downton Abbey, so I didn’t label that connection.)

There was a weather warning in place in the UK, and it was set to hit a few hours after their take off the next day – but it was still wet, cold and miserable. When we got there, poor Marina was clearly cold, with two layers of clothing on. So, we picked up the pace, got into the castle grounds and went straight for the Royal Apartments. Marina was very appreciative.

Apparently, the current Duchess of Northumberland enjoyed taxidermy, so it was explained that there would be quite a few stuffed animals as we went around, including seven stuffed rats – Marina, having regained her warmth, was an expert at spot the rat and found them all.

The girls were very impressed with the apartments, the furnishings, paintings and displays of outfits warn at various royal functions, e.g. a previous Duchess of Northumberland who had been handmaid to Queen Elizabeth (Queen mother) at the coronation of George VI. I loved the library – again! It is strange that they don’t have a drinks cabinet, instead there was a large table with about 50 bottles of alcohol, and a teensy weensy bottle of Jägermeister (that I usually have as the largest bottle 😊). I wanted the girls to ask some questions, as the guides there are so knowledgeable, but they are still too shy. Note to self: I hope to have another opportunity with them, and we shall practise questions ahead of time.

The castle is deceptively large, as the inner courtyard is very small, and from the outside it doesn’t look that big, but inside there’s quite a Tardis effect. Given that the family still lives there (we only saw a selection of rooms, no ancient bedrooms, I can only assume that they’ve been modernised), but I can’t imagine how people can live like that – a completely different world.

Once outside, the weather had warmed a little, so we explored the outer courtyards and the Artisan Courtyard. The typical views of the English countryside from the battlements, broomstick flying lessons for the kiddies, the family’s collections of artefacts unearthed locally during their excavations (a big hobby for the Victorian Dukes), a military museum that was surprisingly interesting and hundreds of sheep!

We made our way to the Artisan’s Court – and would the girls dress up in medieval costumes – no! Teenagers! Anyhow, they explored the various areas withing and posed in the stocks and on the thrones (clearly not real). We also went into the dragon’s den, which has been altered since last I was there – but there were squeals of surprise from the girls as we went around, starting with the face that came alive in the knight’s statue to explain everything. The mirrors made it hard to make our way, and we bumped ourselves around the exhibit with weird noises, smoke, growling dragons etc.

The girls went into the shop and enjoyed looking at all of the Harry Potter gifts. We had seen plenty of children wandering about in Harry Potter’s school uniform, or with Gryffindor capes and casting spells with a variety of wands.

Having bought dinner for later (I found a big M & S on the outskirts of Alnwick), the girls settled in for a 2-hour journey to the hotel next to the airport. They whiled the time watching Venom – in English (so proud).

The room at the Ibis was very compact – the 3^rd bed was a narrow bunk bed above the double bed – swinging a cat wouldn’t have been possible. I settled in with a book – and gave the girls my laptop with Harry Potter on. I was asleep in no time – just as well, as it was a 4.30 alarm call. The girls had doughnuts and chocolate eclairs for breakfast, and we headed for the airport.

It was strange to say goodbye to the girls, the 6 days went by so fast – we hugged (rather than the French bisous when I met them a week ago) – and off I went.

I really enjoyed having the girls, they were wonderful guests – and I love showing people around – tour guiding being my second passion after teaching. I’m looking forward to the next visitor – you?