Sunday 7 May 2017
Tuesday 21 June 2016
Post walk thoughts
So after something like 9 months, my planning and preperation came good, I succeeded in doing something that I had to do, a long distance walk. It was hard at times, it was a mental nightmare at others, but I was determined to finish. I must be honest, it wasn't quite as hard as I was expecting, I got over the daily aches and pains pretty quick once I'd showered and relaxed with an evening meal, a pint and along with Liz's company also the companionship most nights with fellow PW walkers you meet.
The highlights for me, the views of High and Low Force waterfalls, the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, the wild remote Cheviot Hills but view wise the geographical wonder of High Cup. I have seen many wonderful sights in the world, amongst them my childhood dream The Grand Canyon, but seeing High Cup got the same reaction from me as seeing that.
The people you meet on a day to day basis, that keep turning up for a number of days until your schedules start to differ, these are people from all walks of life, aiming to fulfill the same goal as yourself. These are people you will more than likely never meet again, Dutch, Texans, Australians all corners of the UK, but for a few days in your life, these become friends, real friends, strange.
Would I walk the Pennine Way again, I know its never say never, but I would say no. My body could take it, that I've just proved, but I don't think I could mentaly prepare myself like that again for a repeat. There are plenty more distance walks in this country to do, and seeing people the last two weeks a lot older than my 65 years, I could easily attempt more.
The downsides ................ none at all
The highlights for me, the views of High and Low Force waterfalls, the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, the wild remote Cheviot Hills but view wise the geographical wonder of High Cup. I have seen many wonderful sights in the world, amongst them my childhood dream The Grand Canyon, but seeing High Cup got the same reaction from me as seeing that.
The people you meet on a day to day basis, that keep turning up for a number of days until your schedules start to differ, these are people from all walks of life, aiming to fulfill the same goal as yourself. These are people you will more than likely never meet again, Dutch, Texans, Australians all corners of the UK, but for a few days in your life, these become friends, real friends, strange.
Would I walk the Pennine Way again, I know its never say never, but I would say no. My body could take it, that I've just proved, but I don't think I could mentaly prepare myself like that again for a repeat. There are plenty more distance walks in this country to do, and seeing people the last two weeks a lot older than my 65 years, I could easily attempt more.
The downsides ................ none at all
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| Thanks feet, you done me proud |
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| Signing the PW book |
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| Thanks to the Brewery |
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| Thanks Lew |
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| The pride you get from a piece of printed card |
Day 18 Windy Gyle to Kirk Yetholm
14 miles (monday)
And so to where we left off yesterday, a tiring walk from the bottom of the valley upon to Windy Gyle. Because we had a very leisurely stroll down from there the previous day, we actually got to the top in the same amount of time, just under the hour mark. Much the same as yesterday, fantastic views all around, I just wish photos could to it justice, shame really. We walked the ups and downs and the time passed quickly, we eventually reached decision time, do we go up a path to reach the top of Cheviot Hill itself, a supposedly drab featureless summit, or carry on the main trail. I never will see the top of that hill, and I couldn't give a monkeys uncle, after 260 miles walking I fancied a rest.
It was then a short trek onto Auchopes Cairn, but a real knee jerking descent, Lew was feeling the rigours of the descent in his ankles, but in true Devonian style he carried on regardless. At this the point we came to the second refuge hut we'd came across on the Cheviots this one though was bloody packed, a group of ladies from Taunton were finishing the PW today also. We had a brief chat, they had supped a bottle of pre celebratory wine, Lew and myself had to make do with water and lucozade. They soon went, and the two of us had a quick lunch and got underway.
We had a steep climb up onto the Schill, a fine looking hill, and shortly after going down this we were again at decision time. The trail splits and you have the option, taking an high route to Kirk Yetholm or a lower route. As the song goes "You take the high road, and I'll take the low road , and I''ll be in Scotland afore ye", and thats what I did, and Lew, no brainwork needed over that decision either. We soon came to a fingerpost, oh boy I'm going to get there, a mere 4 1/2 miles to Kirk Yetholm,
settle down Mick, youre not there yet. I said to Lew that I shouldn't tempt fate, but so far on this PW walk I have not slipped or fell down (unusual I must admit). Come on Mick don't &$^** it up now. I didnt, and after a seemingly endless walk into Kirk Yetholm,
there outside The Border Hotel was my dear wife Liz waiting to greet me. We were both emotional, sorry, very emotional. I made my way into The Border, claimed my free half pint of beer, signed the PW book and recieved my PW certificate. After the back slapping and the like we then all finally made our ways home, thanks Lew you made my first stage and last two memorable. Pity there wasnt a free beer for you, next pints on me mate.
And so to where we left off yesterday, a tiring walk from the bottom of the valley upon to Windy Gyle. Because we had a very leisurely stroll down from there the previous day, we actually got to the top in the same amount of time, just under the hour mark. Much the same as yesterday, fantastic views all around, I just wish photos could to it justice, shame really. We walked the ups and downs and the time passed quickly, we eventually reached decision time, do we go up a path to reach the top of Cheviot Hill itself, a supposedly drab featureless summit, or carry on the main trail. I never will see the top of that hill, and I couldn't give a monkeys uncle, after 260 miles walking I fancied a rest.
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| Looking over to the Schill |
Day 17 Byreness to Windy Gyle
15 miles (Sunday)
The last section of my walk is split over two days, at a long long 26 miles over the Cheviot Hills, I have done what the majority of PW walkers do. Using Forest View in Byreness as our accommodation, they do a package over two days which includes a pickup at the halfway stage, then a return to the same place on the next day. Setting out just after 9:00, myself and good friend Lew, who made the long journey with his wife Jo to complete these last two stages with me, the pair of us soon made good work of ascending Byreness Hill. If theres one thing the Pennine Way does, it makes you work bloody hard at the start of each day.
We then made our way on an easy track to follow, and immediately we were stunned by the views of the Cheviot Hills. These hills have some of the finest views imaginable, all in front and to the sides of you as far as the eye can see, wonderful. They also have something that plenty of places on the PW have, bogs, bogs and more bogs, alright there are a reasonable number of stone flagged paths and duckboards to walk and keep your feet dry, but when there isn't you soon find about it. We took an alternative PW route that cuts out Chew Green, the site where there used to be Roman camps, this saved us a half mile. When we saw the descent then ascent of the other way, we made the right choice I'm certain.
Random photos of the Cheviot Hills
We took our lunch break in a mountain refuge hut just before the climb up onto Lamb Hill, then it was then a matter of taking in the views as we made our way to Windy Gyle, the halfway mark for us over the two days.
From here it was approximately two miles down into the valley to wait for the pick up. It was a reasonably steep descent at times, but was ok underfoot and we had a good half an hour spare to wait for the pick up, so no rush. The trouble though, we came down today, tomorrow morning when we are brought back..........................
The last section of my walk is split over two days, at a long long 26 miles over the Cheviot Hills, I have done what the majority of PW walkers do. Using Forest View in Byreness as our accommodation, they do a package over two days which includes a pickup at the halfway stage, then a return to the same place on the next day. Setting out just after 9:00, myself and good friend Lew, who made the long journey with his wife Jo to complete these last two stages with me, the pair of us soon made good work of ascending Byreness Hill. If theres one thing the Pennine Way does, it makes you work bloody hard at the start of each day.
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| Looking back down the steep ascent of Byreness Hill |
Random photos of the Cheviot Hills
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| Lew at the mountain refuge hut |
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| A sure thing that many lives have been saved by these bothy's |
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| Russells cairn, top of Windy Gyle |
Day 16 Bellingham to Byreness
Saturday 15 miles
From all accounts I've read this stage is just a rather mudane walk, a comfort walk to get you ready for the final stage/stages over the Cheviot Hills. In fact I enjoyed most of the days walk, the usual uphill start to get from Bellingham to reach the high ground, then pleasant undulating hills and moorland. There isn't a great deal of excitng things to see, can't think of any really, just pleasant walking. This changes soon after the halfway mark, and the same as yesterday you encounter forest plantations. Not as muddy as the previous day thankfully, the drawback today is when you reach the forestry track that takes you down near Byreness. A very monotonous track stretching for about 3 miles, hardly any grass verges you could use for softer walking, but at least it was fairly smooth, unlike some of the horrendous tracks I've had to endure. As you reach the end of this track, its then a pleasant riverside walk up to Byreness, reaching the b&b for two nights, Forest View. This place is a godsend for PW walkers as its about the only accommodation for miles, run by the always busy Colin and Joyce.
A few random photos of the days walk
From all accounts I've read this stage is just a rather mudane walk, a comfort walk to get you ready for the final stage/stages over the Cheviot Hills. In fact I enjoyed most of the days walk, the usual uphill start to get from Bellingham to reach the high ground, then pleasant undulating hills and moorland. There isn't a great deal of excitng things to see, can't think of any really, just pleasant walking. This changes soon after the halfway mark, and the same as yesterday you encounter forest plantations. Not as muddy as the previous day thankfully, the drawback today is when you reach the forestry track that takes you down near Byreness. A very monotonous track stretching for about 3 miles, hardly any grass verges you could use for softer walking, but at least it was fairly smooth, unlike some of the horrendous tracks I've had to endure. As you reach the end of this track, its then a pleasant riverside walk up to Byreness, reaching the b&b for two nights, Forest View. This place is a godsend for PW walkers as its about the only accommodation for miles, run by the always busy Colin and Joyce.
A few random photos of the days walk
Friday 17 June 2016
Day 15 Burnhead (Hadrians Wall) to Bellingham 17 miles
Day 15
Start of the day was to pick up the PW on Hadrians Wall, this is where I finished yesterday, on the roller coaster that this section is. Of course that is how it continued for just over 2 hours, this turned out to be the most demanding 2 hours start of any of the previous days. Most interesting part of this section today was at Sycamore Gap, the location was used in the Kevin Costner film, "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves".
Few more random photos on Hadrians Wall
By the time I was ready to leave Hadrian's Wall I was happy, happy in seeing a fair distance walking on relatively flat terrain.
Shortly after crossing grassy moorland I came to my first encounter with forestry plantations on the PW. It started off ok, bit dismal on the road tracks then I had a few sections on walk paths only. This is where I come across mud, mud, mud and more mud, it was everywhere, squelching through was a grind. You eventually leave, but only for a short while, then its back in for some more. I was determined it would not get me down, and it didn't, I felt in good spirits, I was enjoying it. I forget to mention, it had been raining off and on since I set out earlier, this lasted all day, but yet I was still enjoying my day.
There was a short section of road walking, just a road, never saw a vehicle on it the time I was there. Then comes a walk past the wonderful named Shitlington Hall, followed by a walk up onto Shitlington Crags, ok tiny things please tiny minds. I was still feeling on top of the world, I felt just like a pig in Shitlington.
After this it was a matter of getting across fields down into the nights accommodation, Riverdale Hotel in Bellingham. Looking forward to tomorrow now, from all accounts a rather mundane days walk to Byreness, but when I get there I will be able to welcome Lew and Jo, two good friends of ours. Lew is joining me on the last two days, so heres looking forward to a meet up tomorrow night and hopefully two clear dry days walking over the Cheviot Hills
Start of the day was to pick up the PW on Hadrians Wall, this is where I finished yesterday, on the roller coaster that this section is. Of course that is how it continued for just over 2 hours, this turned out to be the most demanding 2 hours start of any of the previous days. Most interesting part of this section today was at Sycamore Gap, the location was used in the Kevin Costner film, "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves".
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| Sycamore Gap |
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| Sycamore Gap |
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| Milecastle 39 |
By the time I was ready to leave Hadrian's Wall I was happy, happy in seeing a fair distance walking on relatively flat terrain.
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| Path leading away from Hadrian's Wall |
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| Shitlington Hall |
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| Shitlington Crags |
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| View off Shitlington Crags |
Thursday 16 June 2016
Day 14 Burnstones to Burnhead (Hadrian's Wall)
Not a spectacular sightseeing day, mainly fields and moorland, but eventually you get the historic Hadrian's Wall to see. I had Liz drop me off at Burnstones, the place I done a short walk to, from Alston yesterday. It was straightaway into fields with long wet grass, a bit boggy underfoot in places, helping to get my boots wet. Crossing a road near to Lambley, it was then onto Hartleyburn Common, then Blenkinsopp Common which as a reputation as being the worst area for bogs on the Pennine Way. Must have been my lucky day, there was less bog and wetness than a few miles earlier that I'd walked through. Coming off the common by Black Hill I did find navigation a bit of a problem, the track just disappears, use of a gps signal on my phone then gave me coordinates to check on my OS map, problem solved.
I then had the job of crossing the busy A69, when your feet and legs are tiring you need to wait for a pretty long gap in the traffic. After I had got across, the next thing was to navigate around Haltwhistle golf club, no problem, but if you somehow don't go over the stiles you have to, you can spend a bit of time getting back to the correct place. What a bloody idiot, for the life of me I just don't know what I was doing. I lost a good half an hour back and forward, going in a circle before I realised what a bloody silly thing I'd done. In fact when I caught up with Liz later in the afternoon, who keeps an eye on my progress and whereabouts using something called "Buddy Beacon" on the View Ranger app, she happened to mention to me, "Who went backwards and forwards and got lost about 1-00PM". Sod off Liz, can't hide anything, besides I never get lost, I don't always know where I am.
Things then got alright, easily picking up the PW trail alongside Hadrian's Wall track, soon came across a picnic area where I stopped for my lunch. Then it was roughly 3 to 4 miles along the wall path, up then down, up then down, like a roller coaster until I reached a lane to take me to our b&b for the night,
A few random photos of todays walk
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| Stiles that walkers love |
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| Thirlwell Castle |
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