Saturday- Wooler to Beal

 We woke up refreshed and well fed, after excellent hospitality from Emma and Nigel at their homes in Wooler. Emma made us a cooked breakfast to see us on our way, and also sorted us with some lunch things. Thank you Emma and Nigel!

We made the executive decision to switch footwear today, and also repacked our bags ready for the camping night ahead, using the supplies we deposited at Emma and Nigel's before departure. Tonight there was no BnB option where we needed to stay, but we thought camping one night night be an adventure.

At the end of the day, here is a freshly pitched tent, with a happy Katie . But back to the start of the day now....

Looking back towards Wooler, from a steady climb on a road to begin the day.

Then along a track!

More stuff to carry today!

A marvelous bridge we got to cross


WW2 pillbox. A bit newer than most of the history on the route!

Lots of this kind of terrain today

A wooden Cuthbert near the half way point. Can you tell which is Cuthbert and which is Tom?

Lunch time!

Happy trainers! Did get damp toes here and there, but was worth it to have functional feet again!

Skirting a field to st Cuthbert's Cave.

St Cuthbert's remains were carried here by monks fleeing the Lindisfarne Priory during an invasion. Eventually they were taken to their final place of rest in Durham cathedral.

It was advised not to go inside, but we could look from close up.

We were quite glad not to by carrying a dead body along with our stuff.


Micro cattle grid

When there is no bench you can always use a bridge

View from said bridge- a delightful peaceful spot in the forest with nothing to hear but a tinkling stream, chirping birds, and buzzing insects (or a distant lawnmower, hard to tell!)

An obstacle tree, polished by many a hiker's bottom

More spring, springing

Looking back to the forest we came through. Not visible in the picture is the A1, which we crossed about half a mile back.

A fun roadblock

Phoning the signalman to cross the train tracks, very exciting!

This is a train

Those concrete blocks lining the coast, near the Lindisfarne causeway.

An ice cream man was parked up, even though the causeway was shut, as many people pop down for a look across the water.

As far a we could go today. We could see the island for the last few miles today, though it has been hazy, and we couldn't see it as soon as we might have on clear days. 

On the shore! Can't wait to cross tomorrow!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sunday- Beal to Lindisfarne!

Image
 The final blog! We had such a great day completing our big walk. It had some real challenges along the way, but what a great way to finish. View from within the tent! Special blackout lining to block out the early morning sun. We were awake anyway though, used the luxury of an airbed for camping these days! The lambs were in the middle of the field. You should be able to see Holy Island in this view, but the haze meant it only really appeared when we were about half way across We were pitched right by the path to the shore First look at the sands Un-shodding We crossed the river via the road before setting out on the pilgrims way, marked by wooden posts The traditional way is barefoot, as it has been walked historically, and as Cuthbert himself would have walked. I wonder what he wore for the rest of his roaming. I wouldn't have liked to have worn sandals, which is my first imagining for a monk! Many sand wormy piles And bird feet One of two refuge shelters for emergency use if ca...
Read more

Friday- Yetholm to Wooler

Image
The day had a stressful turn later on, but more on that story later (silly photo uploader!) Today marked our crossing from Scotland to England! But back to the start of the day! Here is Town Yetholm from the community shop, where we collected snacks. This bridge between town and Kirk Yetholm, marks the half way point of the walk. Looking closely at this picture you can see the tiny white buildings of Yetholm, and beyond that the three Eildon Peaks, so far away now! Eccles Cairn just off our route. Eccles as a name may have churchy origins, and it may be that this place was a place of religious meetings once over. A long may to hike to though! Not an unusual sight today! We passed few villages today, it was very much wading  through swamps, heather, and grassy tracks  A fun gate in a deer fence Should have taken my bag off, but that seemed like hard work! Alarming cows and calves pitched up right on the track. With there being calves we were a bit wary to get close, but managed...
Read more