Carey and Cold, a favourite walk. (Northumberland) May 14th 

The Carey Burn again, I love this walk, my favourite in  the lower parts of the Cheviots. It starts at Carey Burn bridge in the Harthope Valley. A1 north, A697, turn into Wooler, turn first left (Cheviot Street), take the right fork and turn right at sign for Langleeford. Off road parking by the Carey Burn  bridge.

Six of us out today: Harry, John Ha., Brian, Margaret, Dave and I. The forecast is for cloudy skies but dry

The map to use is OS OL 16 The Cheviot Hills.

Parking close to Carey Burn Bridge. The notice on the wall is to warn parkers that herds of animals pass this way and have been known to decorate cars.

Looking towards the Carey Burn Bridge. Just about visible is the finger post at the start of the walk. If you have an old OS map the path is not marked.

 Once through the gate we followed the footpath close to the burn. On our side of the path fields, over the stream steep cliffs that have been home to peregrine falcons. Nothing like that today but a pair of Mallards flew downstream. The path in places goes very close to the water, in places it is a very stony track, hard on the ankles and there are a couple of places where walkers meet a mini scramble. Too cold for adders to be out today but no rain to dampen clothes or spirits. Eventually, about a mile and a half in there is a gate into a wood, the sign reminding walkers to be careful of Higland cattle has been vandalised, probably by a teacher of English. 

                                    Waterfall on the Carey Burn

        John admires the Carey Burn 

Once over the stream the path continues over scrubland until it reaches a footbridge over the Broadstruther Burn. From this point the path turns a little before joining a farm track that goes to the old farm at Broadstruther where we called a Herbie, early perhaps but it's a tradition to eat here and it was well after noon.

            Broadstruther. Once a farm now a shelter dining room for shooters out after grouse starting August 12th.

                     Herbie time; Apple pies, chocolate cake from Mr Cadbury, chocolate biscuits from Mr Rington and savoury tart and cake from Mrs A

Early lunch over we set off and followed a farm track for a short distance before turning off onto a marked footpath going south. Eventually it joined a farm track and we came to a new gate.

In the absence of Ben the official gateman, Dave demonstrates his skills on a new-fangled fastening.

this point (marked 377 on OS map) we normally turn north east and take the straight path to the top of Cold Law but for a change we continued along the farm track, going downhill on a pebbled surface which can be tricky as at least one member of the team will tell you, The pebbles can be like ball bearings.

At approximately mile 4 we left the track and followed the narrow footpath down the side of Hawsen Burn. This valley is a home for Ring Ousels but none were visible today, nor were there adders.

The path goes down to the valley road at another parking area. We turned left and followed the valley road to the farm at Langlee. Here Dace, Brian and Margaret opted to cross the Harthope Burn and take the steep path up the hillside beyond the farm. From the top a track took them back to Coldgate Water  and a footpath back to the cars.

Harry John and I took the easier but not much shorter route back along the valley floor.

We all met within minutes and headed for the Cook and Barker at Newton on the Moor. The promised Timothy Taylor's was not available but they had a  blonde beer and Black Sheep on offer, plus tea or coffee for the drivers.

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The walk is about 7 pleasant and easy going miles even with the Langlee cut off.