Northumblandia !!!!

At least it was not raining today so we had a run up to Northumblandia first  visit it was closed due to the paths having  frozen solid , that wind was bitter cold though when you got up up onto the top but what fantastic views you get right across to the sea , I wonder if it will be any good for vis migration or at least a raptor watch the only way to find out is spend some time up there in the right conditions , a couple of ponds have been created  not sure if they are just going to be as they are ornamental or allowed to go wild which could be good for Dragonflies . Plenty of people out today a few dogs running free despite the "dogs on leads " notice and it can only be a matter of time before either motorbikes or mountain bikes are plying the winding paths , but it is worth a visit probably on your way somewhere or coming back from same. There is a similar Country park at Wheatslade with a large hill and spiral paths to the top giving good views , and I had many Fieldfare , Redwings feeding on the Southern slopes last year and a Green Woopecker.

Gate in from the East

View over the opencast sight , there can't be much of this land that has not been mined at some time either open cast or via a shaft

Opencast again those yellow objects are huge trucks with the back tipped up

looking over to the right hand

Edge of the opencast Prestwick Carr is over in the distance

Looking over to the North

Image from the internet of  the sculpture from the air