There are certain sacrifices we're prepared to make in the interests of Heather & Sand.
Getting up early.
Walking several miles before most sensible people have finished their first coffee.
Occasionally getting wet.
And, apparently, eating two very good Northumberland breakfasts on consecutive mornings.
Someone had to do the research.
The Running Fox, Powburn
Our first breakfast followed an early walk through Ingram Valley.
By the time we reached Powburn we'd worked up a proper appetite, which was fortunate because The Running Fox doesn't believe in sending you home hungry.
From the road, the old country pub building is quite understated. Walk through the bar, though, and there's a lovely dining space beyond.
We arrived shortly after opening and almost had it to ourselves.
Dogs are welcome, so Meg settled beside us while we ordered two full English breakfasts.
And they were excellent.
Good locally sourced ingredients, beautifully cooked, generous portions and thick slices of homemade bread accompanied by a proper dish of butter.
Tea. Coffee. No rush.
Exactly our sort of breakfast.
Two breakfasts, two hot drinks and a cold drink came to around £45 when we visited.
We've eaten here before — lunch and afternoon tea are very good too — and it can become busy. Online booking is available, although we've previously found it worth telephoning if the website shows no availability.
Our only real grumble?
The men's toilets are shared with the pub and are decidedly more country pub than cosy café.
Lucy informs me this is principally my problem.
Fair enough.
The Running Fox verdict
- Breakfast: Excellent
- Dog friendly: Yes
- Setting: Cosy country inn
- Best bit: Homemade bread and a breakfast you don't want to end
- Our tip: Go early — and don't be in a hurry to leave.
Carnaby's, Brownieside
Twenty-four hours later we'd been walking again.
This time we'd crossed the dunes and found ourselves virtually alone on Ross Back Sands.
Another beautiful morning.
Another few miles beneath our boots.
You can probably see where this is going.
Breakfast.
Carnaby's sits just off the A1 on a site that some Northumberland travellers may remember from its previous life as a service station and Little Chef.
Things have changed considerably.
Today there's a smart stone barn café wrapped around a courtyard, with plenty of outdoor seating and a small gift shop inside.
We've visited before and know there are some rather tempting salads in the cold cabinet.
We ignored them completely.
This was serious comparative research.
Two cooked breakfasts, please.
Once again, locally sourced ingredients, generous portions and everything cooked extremely well.
With tea and coffee, our breakfast came to just under £40.
So which was better?
That's genuinely difficult.
Carnaby's is perhaps the more modern café experience, while The Running Fox has that cosy, slightly tucked-away country feel.
There was one important difference for us, though.
Dogs are welcome in the courtyard at Carnaby's, but not inside.
On a beautiful morning like ours that wasn't a problem. On a cold, wet February morning with Meg in tow, it probably would be.
Facilities, though, are excellent: clean toilets, baby changing, good parking and that little shop to browse afterwards.
Carnaby's verdict
- Breakfast: Excellent
- Dog friendly: Courtyard only
- Setting: Modern country café
- Best bit: Great food and excellent facilities
- Our tip: Perfect on a sunny morning with a dog; weekends can get busy around lunchtime.
So... which wins?
This is where a proper reviewer would probably produce scores.
We don't really want to do that.
Both breakfasts were excellent.
Carnaby's was a little cheaper when we visited and has the more modern facilities.
The Running Fox wins points for welcoming Meg indoors and has that lovely feeling of settling into a country pub for breakfast while the rest of Northumberland gets on with its morning.
If it were raining?
The Running Fox.
A sunny morning after Ross Back Sands?
Carnaby's courtyard.
Purely on the breakfast?
We're calling it a draw.
Which is extremely convenient...
because it means we're going to have to visit both again.
For research purposes, obviously.
