Easter Weekend!

Friday: 

Maddie and I went to the passion play put on by the three main churches of Alnwick in the marketplace. It was well done and my homestay mother, Mary, was in it. It was nice to see such a large crowd gathered from all over the North East to see it! 

  

Saturday/Easter Eve:

The Inner Keep

The Norman Arch

Lion's Bridge from a viewpoint on the Inner Bailey Wall

Sunset

I can't help but take the time to photograph and take in all the areas of the castle which we weren't allowed to roam while the family was in. I am going to make it a habit to go on tours and walk through the state rooms. The more I learn, the more curious I am to know more about the castle's history. Saturday night, Maddie and I went to my homestay for dinner. Chris showed me all the pictures he took at the last big wedding in Alnwick for Lady Katie Percy. Chris and Mary worked at the castle during the wedding. So, they got to attend the giant pre-wedding staff party and help out at the castle during the day of the wedding. They are so fortunate to see all the behind the scenes action and glamour of the events going on inside the castle walls, which the public doesn't get to see. Lucky for them, they get to work at the wedding again this June! I am so jealous. At least, I will get to see the pictures:) After our meal and wedding discussion, we attended Easter Vigil at St. Paul's. Oh Mom, Mary was acquainted with Father Joe and couldn't believe you spent Christmas with him and friends while you were here! Unfortunately, he passed about two years ago. I would have liked to meet him. 

Easter Day:

Richard and Carol took me to church in Felton, which is several miles south of Alnwick. St. Michael's and All Angels is a small, beautiful church. It was all decorated with at least a dozen flower arrangements for Easter, giving it a lovely springtime scent in the air. 

I brought Wholemeal, Oatmeal Glazed Cookies to share. 

Of course, Richard definitely won best pudding award for his delicious Bombe Dessert and traditional English Easter Simnel Cake (shown above). The spheres on top represent Jesus and his 11 disciples (Judas doesn't get counted). 

Carol and Richard in the kitchen. 

My Easter presents! Naturally, I was unaware that Easter was a time to share small gifts, but at least I brought the cookies. Carol gave me knitted finger-less wool mittens and truffles, while Abby gave me a chocolate bar.  

Carol and Richard's daughter Abby and her partner Dave joined us along with their grandson Gabriel. They came up from the Newcastle area for lunch. Gabriel is nearly 15 and has got to be over 6.1 already. He is really into basketball and hopes to play at a university in America when he gets older. Abby is a school teacher and I don't recall what Dave does but he is from Belgium. His accent was very nice, but I still think Welsh is my favorite that I've heard so far. For lunch, we had lamb's leg, potatoes, and plenty of vegetables since Abby and Gabe are vegetarians. It was a tasty meal which was followed by white wine from Normandy and the bombe dessert, which has a breading surrounding layers of ice cream. The homemade pistachio layer was my favorite! Then, we had coffee and my cookies. Afterward, Dave, Abby, Carol and I went to Alnmouth to walk along the beach with Dave's dog, Benji. During our North Sea walk, we saw a dead Puffin which had washed up. Richard and Gabe watched the big rowing race on the tele which takes place on the River Thames in London. When we returned, we had tea and the simnel cake, which is a fruit cake with layers of marzipan (almond fondant). After some more chatting, all of a sudden, it was after seven and our Easter celebration came to a close. I cannot think of a better way for me to have spent Easter day over here! It was wonderful.