Overheard in Alnwick

While at the Duke of Northumberland’s gaffe the other day, we were amused by some of the vignettes we heard from other visitors and the guides.

In one room (a library) there was a roped off area which contained a large flat screen TV, a table football game and various items of detritus.Obviously this was where the Duke, Duchess and their weans spent a bit of time when in residence.One visitor earnestly enquired «Do they just climb over the ropes when they’re here?»

In another room a visitor was enquiring of a guide about the Northumberlands’ relations with the Royals.«Are they related?», «No but they’re very friendly», gushed the guide.«As a matter of fact, Pippa Middleton was at (the Duke’s son’s) wedding recently».Crikey you’d have thought this woman was going to pa*s out at this second hand brush with sub royal celebrity.«REALLY? Oh my!»

Another visitor was enquiring of a guide if the Dukes of Northumberland had ever inhabited Bamburgh Castle.«Oh no» said the guide that was inhabited by a disgraced branch of the family who had no children and adopted thus foregoing their succession».I looked for a hint of irony in the expression of the guide there was none.

Another visitor expressed disappointment that we hadn’t gone into a room to witness the Northumberlands perhaps enjoying breakfast or some such similar family activity.As we discussed this in the car afterwards, I adopted a (rather poor) north east English accent and in the role of the Duke announcedВ  «Aye come on in everyone nice to see yez you’re lucky to catch us this morning as we normally go to Mcdonald’s for oor breakfast on a Tuesday, before I drop the missus at daytime bingo».В  Unfortunately for the family, they laughed which was my cue to use similar comment in the accent for the rest of the day.

Here’s another pic I took of the castle:

carrie underwood mike fisher together