Walking from the very centre of the island. Northumberland, November 26.

 Haltwhistle (from OE Hautwisel meaning the hill near the fork in the river) claims to be the geographic centre of the island of Britain, so does Darwen in Lancashire and Shelley and a point in Morecambe Bay. Today's walk is from the town, partly one of the "Haltwhistle Rings", a series of walks provided by a group of people from the town. It is covered by OS OL 43 Hadrian's Wall.

A team of eight are making the trip; me, Harry, Dave, Ben, Brian, Margaret, John H and John C. Going with out breakfast as days are short this time of year we met on the Bellister Road. Reached by travelling west on the A69, taking the Haltwhistle by-pass for a short distance before turning right onto a minor road that is also a dead end. There are two bridges across the South Tyne on the road, both closed to vehicles. We parked near the most westerly on the side of the road.

Almost ready to go from the car park, maps being consulted I think.

Walkling back along the road we s[otted the sign post that led us across fields to the A69. A busy road needing care. It is a section of the main route across northern England from Newcastle to Carlisle. It needs dualling but it is in the north.

Having safely got over the road we continued following a defined footpath that crossed the dismantled railway that is now part of the South Tyne trail and climbed up to Broomhouse Common. Not so much a footpath, more a struggle through tussocks of tough grass with hidden bogs and ditches, several stiles with slippery steps too, until we reached the Park Burn.

Waterfall on the Park Burn. The stream meanders at this point too, aboon for Geography teachers, there is the hint of an ox-bow lake forming.

We crossed a footbridge, carefully avoiding the group of men out shooting on the hillside, and took a straight lane heading west of south for a few hundred yards. At the end of the lane we turned right, climbed a stile and continued our battle with the tussocks and ditches. At one point I heard a cry from harry who was behind me: "Oh gosh, I have fallen into a ditch and my feet are soaking" he cried.

Skirting a small wood we headed downhill to Featherstone Rowfoot. a hamlet close to The Wallace Arms. A good pub, but not today. A short distance beyond the pub we settled in a car park for a Herbie. No benches but a short series of steps made a reasonable picnic spot.

Herbie time: Festive bakewell, bakewell slices, ginger biscuiots, flapjacks and savoury and cake from Mrs A.

After lunch I decided that the knee had had enough and I intended to take the soft option, walking back to the cars by way of the South Tyne Trail, a walk that descends gently on a dismantled railway line back to Haltwhistle, Harry chose to return with me and we covered the three miles back at a gentle pace. 

The other five noble walkers followed the loop shown on the map. Eventually we all met up at the Wellington pub in Riding Mill and enjoyed hand pulled beers or coffee.

Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2021.

The short walk was 7 miles, the long version about 11.

The Heritage Way. Northumberland /Gateshead November 5th.

  The Heritage way is a series of walks stretching north of the Tyne to south of the Wear. Today's walk, starting from Wylam in Northumberland but mostly in Gateshead is a section of it.

Six of us out today; me, Harry, Ben, John H, John C and Ian.

The walk is covered by OS Explorer 316 Newcastle upon Tyne and is more than useful. The Heritage Way is well signposted but the map is still advisable.

To get to the start, A69 west, turn off at signpost for Wylam, drive through the village, turning left at the Fox and Hounds and just before the bridge over the River Tyne there is a car park on the left. It is free!

Wylam car park near the river.

Leave the car park and head for the bridge crossing the Tyne, watch out for a heron near the water, there is one usually. Pass the Boathouse pub (crime) and walk on to the last house. On the right is the first stile of the day and a sign post. The path is interesting, wide enough for two but fenced securely on both sides. This is because Daniel Farm rears deer for venison, you can see them in fields on both sides of the path. And a rather handsome Belted Galloway bull.

                        Deer, bull, deer.

Beyond the farm continue through fields and woodland to Bradley Hall farm and follow the footpath across Bradley Park to the A695. A busy road, cross with care and follow the track directly opposite  to Bradley Fell.

Turn right here on to the delightfully named Kyo Bog Lane and then almost immediately take the footpath across fields  to Bradley Fell Road. So far the walk has climbed, sometimes gently sometimes steeply.

Turn left on Bradley Fell Road  then right then left onto Buck's Nook Lane, another great name. Follow the lane, uphill still  before spotting the sign post that takes you across fields to Penny Hill.

Out of focus but I'm only a snapper, not a photographer!

At Penny Hill turn left by the electricity sub station then right then left again towards Coalburn Farm. Watch out for the footpath, the jolly farmer's wife explained we were slightly off piste but as long as we shut gates she didn't mind. The track heads east and then across fields to Strothers Farm.

here the trail turns north west, crossing fields where there alpacas and donkeys.

                           Had Dave been with us he would have wittily said "You can call me Al"

                                              Donkeys, not for riding.

The path here needs care, it crosses fields, turns sharply and heads for Spenside Farm. Beyond this farm 

it follows the Barrow Burn through a short stretch of woodland before heading north towards Reeley Mires Farm and a small park in the town of Greenside where we finally stopped for a Herbie after 7 miles.

           Apart from Remembrance Day poppies Greenside had this poster. Never seen one before.

Rather limited gifts today, Whip biscuits, Ben's gingers and cookies. Mrs A is away.

Walk up the main street of Greenside. At the end turn right into Jacky's Plantation, turn left  and follow the Coalway Lane downhill. This lane is narrow, has a surface of cobbles and needs care, especially when the ground is covered in leaves.

At the bottom cross the A695 again with care and take the road to Crawcrook. At Tenter Hills take the footpath on the left which goes through woodland next to Bradley Gardens, passes Daniel Farm again and hits the road back to the car park.

                          Daniel Farm

                          Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2021

The walk is about 10 miles, some steep climbs in the first half.

There are a lot of stiles, some quite dodgy, some quite dangerous for those with bad knees.