Sunday 6 July
A hard day. Diana, Pam, Joy, Sarah & David, Mike, Will, Ken and Vi were joined by Alan and Peter. Alan was filling in a gap in his Lands End to John O'Groats project and Peter was here to resume his acquaintance with the Pennine Way after a gap of seven years. Todays stage was from Dufton to Garrigill, fifteen miles over Cross Fell - the largest hill in England outside the Lake District, standing at nearly 3000 feet and covering a huges area. Despite a very poor weather forecast the summit of Cross Fell was reached in relative dryness however the eight mile descent was completed in torrential rain.
Monday 7 July
A lower level walk from Garrigill to Lambley. Rain in the morning. Plenty of walking beside the South Tyne, in impressive spate after yesterday's two inches of rain. We took time out to visit the interesting town of Alston. Soggy moorland in the afternoon to finish at Lambley.
Tuesday 8 July
Across the moors from Lambley to Greenhead where the Pennine Way joins the Hadrian's Wall Path. The Pennine Way shares the best of the wall. A sunny afternoon accompanied our walk from Walltown to Steel Rigg - a surprisingly hilly stretch of the wall.
Wednesday 9 July
Another outstanding stretch of wall before the Pennine Way strikes northwards again and crosses moorland and some attractive upland pasture to reach Bellingham. Apparently Bellingham is the gateway to the Northumberland National Park, so it's a pity that none of the four pubs were open!
Thursday 10 July
Bellingham to Byrness. Soggy moorland all morning and then it rained and rained. Described by the met men as a 'significant rainfall event' we stomped through the woods to Byrness with a slight detour thanks to a river which had burst its banks. Not the finest stretch of the PW!
Friday 11 July
A dry weather day but yesterday's 'significant rainfall event' was still in the ground, which was soggy as soggy could be! A stiff climb from Byrness took us up onto the ridge. Stunning views, such a contrast with yesterday's forest. A tough walk along the boggy ridge to Border Gate and a descent to Uswayford. One more day to go.
Saturday 12 July
A dry start. A pleasant climb back up to the ridge at Border Gate and then a flying start along slabs and duckboards to the Cheviot. From here on in the going is more challenging, but after a lunch stop at the mountain refuge hut, the final slog to Kirk Yetholm and journey's end. Noone dropped out or missed any of the route. Congratulations on a fine achievement.
2 comments:
There is no truth in the rumour that as we crossed into Scotland one of our party could have done with a lifejacket so deep were the bogs...
The bog-snorkelling phase of the route was entirely optional.
A detour via Lindisfarne would have avoided the puddle!
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