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.