There is a small branch of the Co-op opposite our driveway entrance. It is open seven days a week, 7.00 am - 10.00 pm Monday to Saturday and 8.00 am - 10.00 pm on Sundays. It stocks meat, fruit and veg, milk, bread, beers and wines and all the usual sundries.

Well, you can buy beer from the Co-op or if you want to have a pint in a pub there are a number of options in the village - The Black Swan, The Salmon, The Blue Bell Hotel, The Golf Club and The Community Club, all within walking distance.

Community markets are advertised on the village website at www.belfordvillage.co.uk. Usually about once a month in the summer season.

The whole of the surrounding area is criss-crossed with a network of public footpaths and bridleways which are all clearly delineated on the OS maps for the area. There are many wooden finger posts which point the way. We are conveniently located for St. Cuthbert's Way and St. Oswald's Way, two long distance routes which are very popular with dog walkers. Our local beaches all also allow dog walking.

There are many local options for eating out, or obtaining take-out food. The Blue Bell Hotel in the village offers bar meals and restaurant dining. At the end of our driveway is the John Dory Fish & Chip Shop which offers traditional fish suppers and a range of pizzas. Further afield, there are many places to eat - The White Swan at Warenford, The Castle, The Victoria and the Mizen Head at Bamburgh, The Milan at Wooler, Indian and Chinese dine-in and take-out restaurants in Seahouses as well as a host of fish and chip shops - the list is basically endless.

Pardon me for thinking this is a bit of a silly question - it depends entirely on what you're shopping for! If you want comprehensive retail therapy a day out at the Metro Centre in Gateshead is probably your best bet, but Edinburgh also has a number of retail parks. If you just want a potter round some local outlets, Alnwick, Berwick, Seahouses and Wooler are all worth a visit.

There are several local garages if you want a mechanic, depending on what your problem is. Tell us what you need and we'll point you in the right direction.

Purdy Lodge, a couple of miles down the A1 at the Bamburgh/Lucker turn-off.

The nearest surgery is in Belford, at Croft Field, a three minute walk away. Their telephone number is 01668 213738. We also have a dental surgery in the village.

Take your pick - Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Gardens, Cragside, Holy Island - I could go on....