The first walk is the hardest (Northumberland)
October 4th
It is six weeks and one day since the surgeon took his knife to my leg, put the patella to one side, sanded down the top of one bone and the bottom of another, added a metal cover, placed plastic between them and stapled me up again. Doing the physio every day and walking a little further too I'm getting there.
Brian and Margaret have very kindly offered to take me out on a first, short walk, starting and finishing in a favourite place, Craster, the village by the sea. On the way we stopped in Warkworth for breakfast at Bertrams cafe ,well worth a visit.
Car park in the old quarry at Craster. To park for the whole day, which is what a gadgie walk needs, cost an astonishing £7. Short term parking is cheaper. Newcastle airport charges £4 to drop off or pick up. Scandalous.
From the car park we walked down to the harbour and then across the fields towards Dunstanburgh Castle.
Craster harbour.
Approaching the ruined castle we took the footpath off to the left which passes what once were fish ponds. The path is easy going but there were one or two rocky stretches where the walking sticks proved useful.
Dunstanburgh, Thomas of Gaunt's white elephant.
Beyond the castle, close to the shore, we passed the famous anticline.
The famous anticline
Not far from this geological specimen we took the footpath along the side of the golf course which was quite busy. Reaching the gate that leads to the path that doubles as a car park we went on to Dunstan Steads, farm and holiday cottages.
At the farm we turned left through the yard and took the concrete path that goes to the next farm, Dunstan Square. We planned to stop for a Herbie at the old wooden barn about half way along the track, but when we got there.......
Once there was a barn here!
We walked a little further on, passing a Lime Kiln on the left and settled down in a WW2 pill box. Cosy, out of the wind, limited views.
Lime Kiln
An unusual pill box, made from sacks filled with concrete. Surprisingly clean inside
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Should be at the end too but computer being silly
Having shared apple pies, savoury and sweet cakes from Mrs A we continued on to Dunstan Square, through the gate on the left, down the field, where a friendly horse tried to pinch Brian's car keys.
At the bottom of the field we went through the gate on the right and walked behind the Heughs back to Craster.
A short walk by gadgie standards but I have to start somewhere and I enjoyed the day out. The knee took the strain well but required some lubrication which we found at the Widdrington Inn. Timothy Taylor's! Far better than WD40.
A short walk of 4.5 miles but it's good to be out again. Thanks to Brian and Margaret.
