Gadgie Walks: On the bus again

On the bus again,or not. But always have a plan B. July 19th

Promised a hot day, six of us have opted for a familiar beach walk, hoping for a cooling breeze off the sea. Brian, Margaret, John H., John L. Ian and I are driving to Seahouses farm south of Craster, walking to Howick village, about a mile, and catching a bus to Beadnell. Then walking back.

Covered by OS Explorer332 Alnwick and Amble and OS Explorer 340 Holy Island the walk follows the newly named King Charles III England Coastal Path. Easy to follow.

Leaving the cars and admiring the Limosins we walked the quarter mile to the hamlet of Howick and stood waiting at the bus stop. And we waited. A local walked by, we asked how reliable the bus was, he admitted it was a bit of a gamble. There was a road closure nearby, perhaps the bus was diverted. After a half hour we decided on plan B so today's walk starts from Howick, not Beadnell.

It is not the start but it is the end

Pedigree Limousin at Seahouses Farm.

We walked back up the road and after a short stretch on the Craster road we joined the King Charles III England Coast Path or St. Oswald's Way. Heading north we reached the familiar fishing village of Craster. The cafe has closed but at the Quarry Car Park the Piper's Pitch makes a five star bacon sandwich. Outside seats only but there are toilets in the old information centre. (Closed).

You can have a kipper sandwich if you prefer.

Crossing the road by the centre we walked towards the harbour but turned left up a short steep hill through a few houses to join the footpath on the Heughs. Most people cross the fields to Dunstanburgh Castle, this route, being higher gives better view of Lancaster's folly.

Looking down on the Harbour

Dunstanburgh.

At one point we left the Heughs and followed the footpath round the castle and past the famous anticline.

The famous anticline (Graymare Rock).

Instead of heading for the beach as usual we stuck to the path through the dunes. Much up and down and long feet trapping grass and scratchy plants. At The Skait

we left the dunes, walked the edge of the golf course, through the collection of chalets, past he bird hide and arrived at Low Newton by the Sea.

The square at Low Newton. The Ship pub in the corner

Embleton Bay

Some of the chalets.

Low Newton has several benches so we called a Herbie. (apple pies, cookies and sweet and savoury from Mrs A)

Turning back we walked some distance on the beach, the sand was quite firm but we took to the edge of the golf course again. At the small parking area near Dunstan Steads we took the road to that farm, turned left and followed the concrete strip back to Dunstan Square.

Lime Kiln and WW2 bunker on the concrete strip

Turning left across a field, then turning right on the footpath below the Heughs we were soon back at Craster Quarry Car Park. After discussing the route to take we followed a path signposted Howick which went behind the Craster Houses. At a gate we turned left and were back on the Charles III England Coast Path which we followed all the way to Seahouses Farm.