For those who are missing us…. we are still alive!! However, it’s just not been possible to fit in any joint walks recently. We’ve chosen not to blog about individual walks. Maybe we will be back at sometime in the future. Until then dear readers……
Ok, so we have been going for walks but, again, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve been keeping things local. We’ve taken the opportunity to redo some of our previous walks that we have enjoyed. To add that little bit of extra spice, we’ve tried some in the reverse direction and made variations on others!
| Walk | Date | Who | Route Notes |
| Corbridge and Aydon | 24 Apr 2021 | Neil and Paul | Reverse |
| Willimoteswick | 01 May 2021 | Neil and Paul | Reverse |
| Whitley Chapel | 08 May 2021 | Neil and Paul | Combination of other walks |
| Hadrian’s Wall | 15 May 2021 | Neil and Paul | Combination of other walks |
| Blanchland | 22 May 2021 | Neil and Paul | Combination of other walks |
It seems a long time back to September, the last time both contributors to this blog did a ‘proper’ walk together worthy of a blog entry. Since then we have individually done some local walks, walked between Tyne Green and Warden, and we have re-done some walks already blogged. As COVID restrictions ease and Spring has sprung, we girded up our loins (not literally) and met up for a walk near Haydon Bridge. Walking distance was still limited by dodgy knees. No photos this time, I’m afraid.
Type of Walk
Woods and fields.
Just under 4 miles in about 3 hours, including lunch.
NY 844644
Easy, but with a fair bit of ascent (hard on the lungs) and descent (hard on the knees).
After parking at the football ground in Haydon Bridge we walked through the western end of a quiet Haydon Bridge and up through Gees Wood along PROW 520/031. We dropped to a footbridge over a burn and ascended on the other side. Exiting the wood we carried on in the same direction along a track then turned left at a sign to Elrington and onto PROW 520/035. This took us into a field containing sheep.
For those not familiar with this area sheep farming is a big part of the local economy, and almost every field we passed by or through on the walk contained ewes and their lambs. If they were on the route we skirted round them where we could, and waited while they ambled away when we couldn’t. It is always entertaining to watch lambs butting at their mothers for milk while their tails wag frantically.
We passed into trees, crossed Crossley Burn at a footbridge, and headed S.E. into Elrington Wood. Although the route was clear this was relatively hard walking, with a steady climb and some rough ground. Some of the trees had been felled fairly recently.
Exiting the wood we walked along the edge of 2 more fields containing sheep and lambs, to reach a track at Elrington. Here we turned right along the track (520/050), and descended to a bridge over Elrington Burn. Some stones at the edge of the stream provided seats for a lunch stop. We passed through yet more woodland, crossing Threepwood Burn at a little bridge. A short but steep climb took us out of the trees for a view of Threepwood Hall, a large and (to my inexpert eye) beautifully maintained house. A robot lawnmower was trundling slowly and randomly round it’s huge lawn.
We then walked west, still on 502/050 but now a track between fields (yet more ewes and lambs). At a wooden sign to Haydon Bridge (sadly broken off and lying on the ground) we turned right and descended gently along 520/032 across a field and into woodland. A wiggly path down to Langley Burn in Langley Dene and we were at the road which took us back to Haydon Bridge and the cars.
Scenery:
Historical interest:
Weather Factor:
Overall Enjoyment:
‘Hexham and the Shire – Short Circular Walks’ by Terry Dixon.
Walking the route: Neil and Paul
Weather conditions on the day: Cool, cloudy and breezy. Rain as we arrived but then dry.
Date of walk: 8th April 2021
Middle Aged Ramblings 