Life’s a beach for one man and his dog

DAISY is one lucky dog, enjoying as she does daily walks along some of Northumberland’s most beautiful beaches.

And the same goes for owner Andy Craig, a professional photographer, musician and songwriter.

Andy lives at Christon Bank in Northumberland, and he and Daisy take walks every day, usually at sunrise, along either Embleton Bay, Beadnell Bay or the Howick shoreline.

Ten years ago Andy began a daily picture blog about the walks, during which he reckons to have taken tens of thousands of photographs.

Now one of his images has won a competition run by the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership and will feature as the cover of its 2019 visitor guide.

It shows the footsteps of Andy and Daisy on an empty, early morning Embleton Bay with Dunstanburgh Castle in the background and is called “Sand Beneath My Feet,” which is the title of one of Andy’s songs.

He said: “This photograph summarises what Northumberland means to me. A quiet beach at sunrise with my footprints leaving their trail beside Daisy’s paw prints. For the 10 years I have lived on the Northumberland coast I have walked with my dog beside me.

“I have seen many such sunrises and I try to find something unique to photograph every day so I can share those moments on my blog.

“This beautiful, special and fragile coastal environment, that is so well protected by its status as an AONB, is the inspiration for my photography and my songwriting.”

Andy plays guitar and mandolin and sings with the band Big Sky.

“Northumberland is a very special part of the world, and the coast is a special landscape for its nature, wildlife, geology and history. Its protection by bodies such as the AONB and National Trust is very important,” he said.

“Every sunrise is unique and every day on the beach is different – the light, the weather, the tides, if the sand is flat or rippled. I never tire of it and I get different photographs every time I go out.”

Andy acquired Daisy from the Alnwick charity Alexa’s Animals Dog Rescue, which has so far re-homed 1,600 dogs.

Daisy’s mother was taken in when she was expecting a litter, and produced five pups.

“Three of Daisy’s sisters live nearby and they get to play together,” said Andy. “Daisy loves her beach walks and she also has her own social media accounts on Instagram and Twitter.

“She has more than 700 followers on Instagram which beats my 400. She is quite famous in her own way.”

You can catch up with Daisy on Instagram @DaisyofNorthumberland.

Andy will combine his nature photography with a talk and music in the council room of the Natural History Society of Northumbria at the Great North Museum in Newcastle at 5.30pm on February 5 and March 5.

There is a suggested donation of £5 for non-members.

In another society event, Andy will lead walks along the coast on February 16 and March 9 from 10.30am-noon. NHSN members free, non-members £5, booking essential.

Andy also offers photography training and video and film-making production. Go to www.andycraigphotography.co.uk. His blog is at www.Northumberland360. com