The ragged Rascals Roamed Round Rothbury.
(Northumberland) November 29th.
After last weeks muddy walk we are hoping for something a little less claggy and are repeating yet another well loved walk round the Rothbury terraces.
Directions are familiar, A1 North A697 at Morpeth and turn off for Rothbury at Weldon Bridge. There isa large car park just across the river and it is free.
Almost empty car park in Rothbury. Look at the sky, no clouds, first time for a week.
There are eight of us: John Ha., John H., Brian, Ben, Dave. Harry, Ray and me.
The walk crosses over two maps: OS OL 42 Kielder Forest and OS Explorer 332 Alnwick and Amble.
We had breakfast at the Running Fox in Longframlington, small but friendly and it sells artisan bread too except it was so full we couldn't get in so we went to the Elm Tree in Rothbury which is equally friendly.
After tea/coffee/bacon/toast we set off back down to the path along the River Coquet which, not surprisingly was full and fast flowing. The path follows the Thrum Mill, now a home for some lucky person.
Thrum Mill and a model of a Roman oven
After crossing the road we entered the grounds of Cragside in spite of the notice saying private, No Entry. Hopefully it refers to cars only, certainly no aged retainer emerged from the cottage to chase us off. The path goes past the engine house which contains some of Lord Armstrong's hydro electric machinery, then wanders round the grounds. We chose not to go to the big house but caught a glimpse of it through the trees.
Cragside, home of Lord Armstrong who made his fortune with guns, warships and hydraulic devices like the swing bridge in Newcastle. The house is now run by the National Trust
The top end of the Archimedian screw. It was spinning rapidly today
Cottage in the grounds
Home farm.
Beyond the farm the estate road meets the road to Alnwick and almost directly opposite is the track up on to the moors.
We followed the path, turning north at Primrose Cottage
Through the gate, and keep it closed
We turned off at this point and took the track through Blue Mill
This path climbs, but gently, for which my knees are beginning to be thankful. After some time a marker on the right pointed our way to a muddy path, a fine stone stile and eventually back on to a good track. The views over the Cheviots were fine, with a little cloud on the highest points and a slight smear of snow on one ridge.
Cheviot view
Remains of Cartington Castle in the centre
A sunny Herbie; Titans, cookies, Ben's biscuits, flapjacks, Kipling Slices and savoury from Mrs A.
After the lunch stop we walked a little further on before turning right and across a field to the start of Physic Lane.
The road to Physic Lane
At the bottom of the lane we turned right and walked down hill to Thropton. Making use of the footbridge rather than the road bridge we crossed the stream, crossed the road and followed the muddy footpath alongside a stream until we reached the River Coquet, which was still very full and fast flowing.
Footbridge over the Coquet at Thropton.
From this point we normally walk alongside the river but because of recent heavy rains we took the paths across the amazingly dry fields until we reached the next footbridge and crossed back to the north side of the river.
Nearly back in Rothbury
There is a hard path from here onwards but most of us walked over the fields and joined the riverside walk back into Rothbury, the car park and dry shoes.
Rothbury church
The final footbridge
Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2019
On our way home we stopped in Longhorsley at the Shoulder of Mutton. We are almost regulars and they still had Timothy Taylor's Landlord.
This walk is approximately 9.5 miles and is easy going, even after rain.
(Northumberland) November 29th.
After last weeks muddy walk we are hoping for something a little less claggy and are repeating yet another well loved walk round the Rothbury terraces.
Directions are familiar, A1 North A697 at Morpeth and turn off for Rothbury at Weldon Bridge. There isa large car park just across the river and it is free.
There are eight of us: John Ha., John H., Brian, Ben, Dave. Harry, Ray and me.
The walk crosses over two maps: OS OL 42 Kielder Forest and OS Explorer 332 Alnwick and Amble.
We had breakfast at the Running Fox in Longframlington, small but friendly and it sells artisan bread too except it was so full we couldn't get in so we went to the Elm Tree in Rothbury which is equally friendly.
After tea/coffee/bacon/toast we set off back down to the path along the River Coquet which, not surprisingly was full and fast flowing. The path follows the Thrum Mill, now a home for some lucky person.
After crossing the road we entered the grounds of Cragside in spite of the notice saying private, No Entry. Hopefully it refers to cars only, certainly no aged retainer emerged from the cottage to chase us off. The path goes past the engine house which contains some of Lord Armstrong's hydro electric machinery, then wanders round the grounds. We chose not to go to the big house but caught a glimpse of it through the trees.
Beyond the farm the estate road meets the road to Alnwick and almost directly opposite is the track up on to the moors.
This path climbs, but gently, for which my knees are beginning to be thankful. After some time a marker on the right pointed our way to a muddy path, a fine stone stile and eventually back on to a good track. The views over the Cheviots were fine, with a little cloud on the highest points and a slight smear of snow on one ridge.
After the lunch stop we walked a little further on before turning right and across a field to the start of Physic Lane.
At the bottom of the lane we turned right and walked down hill to Thropton. Making use of the footbridge rather than the road bridge we crossed the stream, crossed the road and followed the muddy footpath alongside a stream until we reached the River Coquet, which was still very full and fast flowing.
From this point we normally walk alongside the river but because of recent heavy rains we took the paths across the amazingly dry fields until we reached the next footbridge and crossed back to the north side of the river.
There is a hard path from here onwards but most of us walked over the fields and joined the riverside walk back into Rothbury, the car park and dry shoes.
On our way home we stopped in Longhorsley at the Shoulder of Mutton. We are almost regulars and they still had Timothy Taylor's Landlord.
This walk is approximately 9.5 miles and is easy going, even after rain.
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