A Walk from Alwinton

 Alwinton, Puncherton, Rookland. Not Carey Burn. October 10th

It's quite some time since we gadgies walked from Alwinton, a village in Coquetdale, nestling in the Cheviot Hills.

North on the A1, turn off at Morpeth on the A697, turn off and drive through Rothbury and finally turn off right for Alwinton. Park on the roadside as you reach the village or use the car park further on.

The walk is covered by OS OL 16 The Cheviot Hills.

Parking in Alwinton. Directly opposite the bus stop and telephone box. There is a layer of heavy plastic mesh that stops the car park getting muddy.

Behind the car park there is a footbridge crossing the River Alwin., we started the walk here, on Clennell Street..  The "street" is an ancient drove road from Kelso to Morpeth, free of drovers since medieval times. And once called Ermspeth, Anglo Saxon for Eagles Path. Not many eagles around today. We climbed steadily, if not enthusiastically, on a metal track which became a grassy track. The street is crossed at one point by a Cross Dyke, a long raised mound, the purpose of which is not really known. There are two more further on. We continued on the path, gently rising and falling for almost three miles before reaching the pl;antations at Kidland.

                               A grand day for views in the hills

                          Not what you really expect to find in the country!

The ruins in front of the shed were once a Youth Hostel.

Turning east we walked a metalled forest track to Kidland Lee, once a farm, now a selection of holiday chalets.

                                    Kidland Lee

Almost hidden in a corner, a marker pointed us downhill on a narrow footpath to the River Alwin.

At the five mile marker we called a Herbie; cookies, applepies and sweet and savoury from Mrs A.

                                     Herbie time.

Lunch over we followed a very narrow footpath to meet the main grass track up the Dodd, a steep climb but worth it for the vistas. From the top we walked more track, one that curved gently round to the farm at Puncherton. Following a bridle path at mile 7 we turned south east, then south to the road near Rooklands Farm.

                            Puncherton Farm. The farmer advised us to use a gate, we think.

            The ruins of the Old Rookllands Farm are to the right of the trees. Once a favourite walk.

Having crossed a few fields we reached the village of Clennell, which has a church, a hall and a caravan park. It also has a ford but most of us decided the water was over boots and took the path along the river to a footbridge. Two more fields and we were back on Clennell Street and then at the cars.

On the way home we stopped at The Shoulder of Mutton in Longhorsley which had TTL and zero Guinness.

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The walk is about 11 miles. Some short but steep climbs, Some beautiful views. Alwinton is at 500feet above sealevel. The Dodd is just under 1500.

                                                A triple stile!

Walking out with Amy

 Walking out with Amy. October 3rd.

The jovial jock on local TV promises us that at sometime today we will encounter the latest storm from the Atlantic, called Amy.

Rather than be stuck in the hills we have opted for a walk near home, starting from Wylam in the Tyne Valley. Easy to find, head west on the A69 and turn off at the signpost for Wylam. Head for the railway station, just before the bridge over the river there is a large, free car park.

The walk is covered by OS Explorer 316 Newcastle upon Tyne.

Breakfast in the Coffee Tree on Wylam Main Street.

However, to save time after the walk, especially as we were promised rain, we parked on the road behind the Fox and Hounds pub. surprise, surprise.

            Top, behind the Fox and Hounds, bottom the car park near the river.

From the pub we walked down the road to the bridge, but not across it. We took to the footpath under the bridge which, walking west eventually joins the path on the old railway track which crosses Hagg Bank Bridge.

                   The railway went years ago, the bridge remains. The locals climb across the arches, gadgies don't.

                   The Tyne from Hagg Bank Bridge.

on the southy bank of the river we walked along a footpath close to the bank before having to follow a road close to the Spetchells and a field or two.

                   A path up to the Spetchells.  A man made mound of calcium carbonate, a waste product from the manufacture of fertiliser and explosives in WW2. It is now wooded and planted, a nature reserve.

Beyond the Spetchells we arrived at The Tyneside Riverside Country Park, near Prudhoe Station. A cafe, toilets and play area. The bridge across the river to Ovingham is narrow, traffic controlled by lights, and there is a pedestrian bridge too. Over we went to Ovingham, walked round the wall surrounding Mary the Virgin church and made use of the proper stile that took us into fields and on the way to Whittle Dene.

             St Mary the Virgin church Ovingham. The tower is late Saxon, the rest from 13th century onwards.

The path through Whittle Dene climbs slowly, passing several chalets and a couple of ruins. left over from days of industry.

Autumn in Whittle Dene.

As we neared the top of the dene Amy arrived, not too windy but steady rain. Moist but determined we walked on, crossing the A69 (by bridge fortunately) and walking along what was probably the old road.

Reaching a bridge carrying the A69 we decided to stay dry and have a Herbie beneath it.

Apple pies, flapjacks, sweet and savoury from Mrs A.

 After lunch we headed on for Horsley. At the east end of the village, and difficult to spot is a finger post directing walkers to Wylam. A  narrow, fenced footpath leads to fields. At the bottom of the first there is an electric fence. The farmer has put insulation on one short section but I think I accidently put my walking pole on the wire. It didn't hurt.

After crossin a tiny burn we walked round fields to the road going down to Wylam. At the first junction we took the paths through an estate and were soon back at the cars. Boots changed, wet coats removed we went to the Fox and Hounds which serves TTL and zero Guinness.

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At just over 8 miles the walk is fine on a wet day. Easy climbing, lovely woodland. Rain

Tyne Green with the Greens

 Tyne Green with the Greens. September 21st

A Sunday walk with the Greens, another collection of happy older strollers. Starting from the Tyne Green Country Park in Hexham, climbing out of the valley, then back down again and walking along the riverside.

Take the A69, turn off for Hexham and immediately over the bridge across the Tyne turn right. Plenty of free parking, plenty of things for children to play on, room to kick a football, and toilets.

The map that covers the walk is OS OL43 Hadrian's Wall, not essential.

                                  Not a contender.

Leaving the car park we headed west on the path between the railway (Newcastle to Carlisle) and the river Tyne. After a bit less than half a mile an underpass saved the problem of crossing the line and we then followed a footpath that climbed steadily out of the valley, passing Shaws Farm and reaching a road.

                          Onwards and upwards

                                           Look carefully, it's a rabbit. honest.

After walking some distance on the road we turned right then left, throgh woodland  and at mile 2 turned left again, but still climbing. At Highside we took a path south, passing the alpaca field.

 Not an alpaca in sight.

Empty homes for alpacas, as Dave would say, "You can't call me Al."

                                     Some consolation for their non appearance.

At Lowgate we headed south and headed downhill too, passing through Hethergate Boutique Caravan site where we used to lunch, but no longer, the seats have gone.

Walking downhill on a stony farm track, watching nearly every step, we came to the ford at Coastley. The stream was full, fortunately there was a footbridge.

Maybe not too deep, but probably over the boots.

After a short climb we followed a narrow path on a contour line. At mile 4 we stopped for lunch. (Not a Herbie, the Greens don't do sharing.) Great view over the Tyne valley.

Looking over the Tyne, shame about the factory. It makes chip board.

We sat on a grassy  bank. Yesterday it rained, all day, and quite heavily at times  but the ground was still hard and dry after the long dry summer.

 Lunch over we headed downhill, walked through some woodland and came to the A69. It's a busy road, not dualled in this section and needs care in crossing.

Once across we took the track down to the river side and followed it all the way back to the car park.

At one point we came to the meeting of the North and South Tyne rivers. On the north bank of the south Tyne there is a path to the confluence and on the same side there is a path from Acomb. We just looked at it, very full after yesterday's down pour.

On the way home we called in at the Fox and Hounds in Wylam for a change TTL and alcohol free Guinness.

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The wall is about 8 miles, some steady but easy climbing.