Northumberland 2024 - Day Two

Friday was originally scheduled to be the ridge walk on the Simonside Hills but a combination of the weather forecast for high winds and the fact that Jeb wouldn't arrive until Friday evening led to a late switch so we did the St. Oswald's Way instead.

Crossing the bridge in Rothbury we took a left turn up the slight gradient and set about looking for the Way which starts off near an old railway line. We had been led to believe that this was largely a riverside walk so we took a path that seemed to lead us down that way. We should have listened to the friendly farmer's wife who told us that this path was pretty overgrown. She was right - after fighting our way through heavy undergrowth thick with nettles, we decided to backtrack and, in so doing, experience even more stinging sensations. Those of us wearing shorts suffered the most but even some in long trousers were stung through the fabric.

We found the correct route and the railway line high above the river but there was a brief pause for some double-checking:

This first bit was OK but soon we were tramping across endless grass meadows which bore little sign of anyone ever having walked this way before. We went from field to field searching each time for the waymarkers at the other side:

We did see the river briefly and stopped at a bridge for refreshments:

More fields followed but when it came to noon we observed tradition:

There was one slightly disturbing moment when we spotted a sheep lying on its back unable to get up again. Stewart took charge of Daisy while Gordon climbed over the fence and tried to get it back up on its feet again:

Gordon succeeded in getting the sheep upright but it then just collapsed again. There was a farmhouse just 100 yards away so we knocked on the door and spoke to a woman who told us that this was a common occurrence at this time of year - you right one and then another one falls. If left lying, they die - something to do with an excess gas build-up.

We were all delighted when we eventually reached the pub lunch stop - the Angler's Arms in Weldon Bridge (https://www.anglersarms.com/). A bowl of soup and a couple of pints and all was well with the world again. Here's the stats for the walk:

After lunch, we walked to the nearest bus - a standard £2 per head fare took us all back to Rothbury, leaving plenty of afternoon time for naps, baths, showers or, for a few of us, a short drive to another National Trust property - Cragside (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/cragside)

Cragside is a huge estate - over 1,000 acres. There's a gentle circular drive within that is 6 miles long. Lots of walks and things to do. The old house is imposing externally and spectacular within:

In the evening it was back to Narrow Nick for pre-dinner drinks then off to the local Italian restaurant - La Mensa. We finished eating about 8:30 pm but we were all a little tired and there was no enthusiasm for post-dinner drinks, so off to our rooms we trotted. Jeb duly arrived at 9:30 pm and wondered where everyone was - I messaged him to say we were all in bed and he thought I was kidding! He did bump in to Dave who was returning from walking Ruby, but Jeb was unable to persuade him to have a drink with him.

More to follow - Days 3 & 4.