An amble to Amble

Actually it was a rather fast paced sort of amble! The weather forecast was for rain in the afternoon and so I was tabbing a fairly quick step.

My overall aim for the walk along Druridge Bay was mainly to get miles back in to my legs.
Buses to Cresswell are very limited, in fact only one in the morning. Thus it was mid morning when I set out from the village. Dog walkers were already out in fair sized numbers. Times I was jumped on by wet, soggy pooches, five. Times I was approached at speed by friendly hounds, numerous. A dash to the loo at the visitor centre, a sandwich and drink break and then on to Amble. Reaching the town just as the rain began to fall.
Overall mileage was in the region of eight and half miles.

A wee wander

Mike, (northernpies.blogspot.co.uk) with his intrepid hound, Lucky, had set out to walk Wainwright's Coast to Coast route. Graciously, Mike had invited me to walk with him on his last day. Thus it was that on the Thursday afternoon I was sitting at Grosmont, home of North Yorkshire Moors Railway.  In my rucksack, a few doggy treats and a bag of dog food.
While waiting for Mike and Lucky, I watched with interest the crowds, the majority gents, many of them obviously avid train spotters. One moment there would be the general milling about of folk. Suddenly the mood changed. In a fervid frenzy of excitement, people began to rush up and down the platform. A steam train was approaching and all and sundry vied competitively for the best position to snap that special shot. Honestly, I swear that the crescendo of clicking cameras almost drowned out the noise of the approaching loco!

When the dogged duo arrived, we adjourned to the local tea garden, (note, dogs welcome!) where we supped a goodly brew of tea and indulged in cake and scones.
Our way out of the village was uphill and how. Cardiac hill we named it. Upwards, steeply upwards it climbed, seemingly for ever up. The idea of a defibrillator at the top for poor, struggling hikers was strongly muted. By footpaths and bridleways we wound our way over to toward the village of Little Beck. Our goal was a farmhouse that catered for coast to coasters and  how! Intake Farm is something special. The lady who greeted us with a cheery smile and hand shake, immediately made us welcome. Our pitch was on the farm lawn, all neatly mown. As we pitched our tents we were presented with a tray containing a large pot of tea and slices of homemade cake.

Friday morning was dry and bright. Our way on led us through a delightful forest walk, complete with waterfall and a tea garden. Yes, we did indeed indulge in a pot of tea.
The weather was warm and Mike's trail fitness was obvious as was my lack of. Also,you may notice, he has lost weight. Changes in my meds have mucked me about of late.

Our onward way led along footpaths, road and bridleways. The scenery was lovely and varied.

 We arrived at the camp site mid afternoon. After setting up tents and having a brew, we wandered on down to Robin Hoods Bay. Thus completed Mike and Lucky's Coast to Coast walk. A wonderful achievement and I suggest you pop over to Mike's blog to read of his and the pooches adventures along the way. If you are feeling generous, may I suggest a wee donation to the charity Mike is supporting. Mind, I will point out this was an unsponsored walk, the suggestion of a donation is solely mine. .

A few more photos, a varied selection, not all of this trip.

Woodland wander

Mike had proposed a walk that would see another top or two bagged. However, the best laid plan of mice and men! On the day allocated the weather was not good, heavy rain put a damper on things. Thus we delayed our start and also changed to another, easier option.
Our easier meander took us to Thrunton Wood. Lunch was had sitting in the car watching thick mist drifting across the countryside while heavy rain drummed on the roof. As things happen on occasion, we set off in waterproofs with the rain now reduced to a mizzle and even that began to clear away. Following little red markers indicating our route proved interesting. One pointed to a vague path entering fairly dense wood and undergrowth.

 We found a wee hill top but it certainly did not seem the one we wanted. Much consulting of maps, a couple of checks on the compass and a stravaig through quite dense woodland saw us emerging by a circuitous deviation on to Castle Hill. Very old woodland with gnarled and ancient trees in abundance.

We both agreed it would be an excellent bivi spot, one with atmosphere?

Mike maybe described as a covert tree hugger?

 Lucky is a little bemused.

Our way now led us steeply upwards, meandering around rocky outcrops. We found  Macartneys Cave. This was a strange cave and obviously man made. Tool marks on the walls indicated that at one time something had been mined there.

Troglodyte and hound in residence?

A wander along Callaly crag in brightening weather, offered fine views. Following the track along Thrunton Crag led us back to the car. A fine wee bimble.

Seaside stroll

It was a beautiful sunny morning. Really I ought to have been finishing the painting in my living room. Instead I hopped on a bus to Whitley Bay and walked back along the coast to Blythe. The sunshine had brought out the dog walkers in their droves. it seemed as if I was about the only person dogless. Even joggers had dogs in tow. Mind, I had several dogs keen on joining me as I walked along the tide line. The majority of the dog walking fraternity seemed a friendly bunch though, most giving a smile and a friendly 'good morning'.

Quite a surf was running, but the morning was pleasant.

 Miles of lovely beaches.

St Mary's Island.

One slightly annoying factor was on some of the paths quite a few cyclists,several riding at speed, seemed unable to comprehend that pedestrians where also using the same bit of ground. One girl, approaching from behind, almost side swiped me and there where a few other near misses too. Some of the dog walkers had the same problem.

Overall it was a good walk and put a few needed miles in to the legs.  Roughly it worked out on average around eight miles.

Rothbury round

 A delightful day, the sun shone, the birds where singing and we where in shirt sleeves, awesome! Mike, (northernpies.blogspot.co.uk) had his eye on a top just north of the market town of Rothbury. The path out of the town involved a degree of steep upness. The views when we arrived by the radio mast high above the town made the effort well worth while. Following a well defined track that contoured around the hillside we investigated a hill top with a cairn marking  the remains of a small burial chamber. A study of the map indicates that these prehistoric folk where industrious and versatile people. Ancient forts, settlements, standing stones, cairns and so forth abound throughout the countryside.

Our lunch break was spent luxuriating in the warm sunshine, idyllic conditions. We had to press on though, there was a hill to climb. Following a trail blazed through the heather by a heavy duty mower, we descended to Crocky's Heugh, joining a well surfaced byway. A short distance further and we where once more ascending a fairly steep hillside. It was warm work, gradually though height was gained. The rock in this area is sandstone and very porous, hence the ground was extremely dry. Passing by the first two cairns we arrived at the third, marking the top of Cartington hill.

There was little option then but to backtrack, stopping for a short break by one of the previously passed cairns. Days like this are to be savoured, rushing would be a heinous travesty. Lucky certainly relished the sunshine, taking the opportunity for  a quick snooze when stopped for a break.
Coming down by Primrose cottage, we had one of those serendipity moments. The path we wanted which led to Debden lake, was marked as private. Rather than trespass we headed out to the road. Opposite was a road that led in to Cragside. Once the home of the arms manufacturer, industrialist and entrepreneur, lord Armstrong. Now it is owned and managed by the National Trust. A quick peruse of the map and it looked as if we could avoid some tedious road walking by making use of the tracks and paths that led through the extensive grounds.

No one challenged us as we ambled through. It was delightful walking although Lucky was not keen on the high metal bridge that spanned the river far below.

Our way took us through a stand of humungously large pine trees, awesome.

A brief moment of trespassing led us on to a path beside the river Coquet and back to Rothbury

A splendid day, this was a new area for both of us and it turned out to be a little gem of a walk. As yet I am uncertain of mileage. My map measuring thingy is currently awol. However, I am sure Mike will put the mileage up on his blog and I will update later.

Cheviot daunder

A cracking day in the Cheviot hills. Mike (northernpies.blogspot.co.uk) Had proposed the walk. There was a wee top he was interested in. Thus it was that we where winging north on the A697. Turning off on to the narrow and twisting Ingram road which heads up the Breamish valley. The warm, sunny weather had brought out car loads of folk. The numerous picnic spots where bustling with people.
With the car parked at the last picnic spot in the valley, we where soon heading up the hill to take the bridleway by Greenside Hill. Passing the few outlines of a medieval village, we headed a little further up the hill and found a sunny spot out of the chilly breeze for lunch. What a pleasure to sit and bask in warm sunshine.

Our way led on upwards, past Cunyan Crags and up to Dunmoor Hill. A gentle descent and then a long pull upwards toward Hedgehope Hill. My legs where feeling the strain and I stopped just short of the top, allowing Mike and Lucky to continue upward.

Mike and Lucky soon rejoined me and we continued on towards Mike's intended goal for the day. High Cantle is an interesting and rather prominent geological feature. A rocky outcrop protruding out of the surrounding moorland. We took in both tops to ensure we had bagged the highest of the two. It was then a long descent down to the track that runs through the Breamish valley. We had spotted several small lizard type creatures, (newts?) Also I spotted a large adder making for cover. Fortunately Lucky had not seen it.
Smoke drifted down the valley from where keepers where burning the moorland. This was grouse country and the burning was to stimulate fresh growth of the heather.

. From Linhope it was back on to tarmac and the walk back to the car.

A very pleasant and enjoyable day's walking. Mike has given the mileage as at seventeen kilometres, roughly ten miles.

Golite Trek

Ok folks my flat is due to be closed soon and I have to move.
This means a big sort out of gear.
Currently I have a Golite Trek, which is virtually new. It was picked up with a few other bits and never used.
Needing cash, but willing to sell it for £40. Am willing to throw in a new Mountain Warehouse daysack.  May find a few other bits too.
E mail me.