Spring Has Sprung!
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| (First snowdrops of 2020) |
A completely different day for us today. Phil couldn't join us for this stage so there was only Helen, Chance and myself. Rather than use our cars we opted to take advantage of the train service this time. As it was a Sunday there were fewer metros and trains running than normal so this journey had to be planned with military precision so as not to miss any connections.
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| (Where to this time?) |
Helen and I met on the metro in the Jarrow area at around 8AM and headed into Newcastle. We stopped off in Central station to buy a warm drink and some breakfast for the train ride. We got to our platform with ample time. There is only one train per hour heading to Riding Mill so we had to make sure we were on it. Once onboard we tucked into our breakfast and enjoyed the views. I really enjoyed how relaxing the start of our day was, it's very rare I find time for breakfast.
The 30 minute journey got us into Riding mill for 9:15. We had looked at the book and noticed there was the choice of two routes at this point. We opted for the longer of the two, taking us through Broomleyhope woods. We knew this stage contained the final sections of woodland we would encounter on the trail as we would soon be in entering more urban areas as we approach Newcastle, so thought it best to enjoy them. Chance loves the opportunity to have a run around too.
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| (Bird house fingerpost) |
We enjoyed the pleasant walk, after the initial steep climb. The walk was very well waymarked through the fields, woods and across a few roads. We got lucky with the weather once again today, only one small shower, worse had been predicted for us.
We eventually arrived in Stocksfield and after passing the cricket ground, got our first glimpse of the river that day.
With plenty time on our hands, we decided to stop off in Prudhoe for a pub lunch and a pint. Chance was particularly pleased about this decision as he got a bowl of dinner too!
I wasn't 100% fit today as I was struggling with a lower back and hip injury, so when we passed this large property I did consider paying Dr Bell a visit!
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| (Hagg Bridge) |
After leaving Prudhoe and heading along the riverside path, we quickly came to Hagg bridge. We stopped here for 5 minutes to admire the structure and get a few shots. The paths around this area made for easy walking, a relief for me at this point.
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| (Approaching Wylam) |
As we followed the river, we spotted the bridge into Wylam fast approaching. I checked my watch and realised we had 8 minutes until the hourly train to Newcastle would be pulling into Wylam station. We hot-footed it over the bridge and got there with minutes to spare. We couldn't of timed it better.
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| (Tired boy) |
We had planned to have a drink and a rest in the pub at Wylam but as our train was due, we decided we'd have one back in Newcastle.
I forgot to set the tracker on my phone at the start so the map is missing a small bit.
The walk was 9 miles and took us just over 5 and a half hours.
ONLY 24 MILES REMAINING!
UPDATE - PHIL CATCHES UP!
As Phil couldn't join Helen and I as we walked from Riding Mill to Wylam he was playing 'catch up'. So on 26th February, he set off on his own to complete the stage. He picked a perfect day for it as it was a beautiful calm, sunny day. Once he made it Wylam he met up with a friend in the pub and enjoyed a refreshing pint and a meal, which he assures us, was delicious.
While he was out he got a few splendid shots, which I just had to add to the blog as the are great.
Well done, Phil!
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| (Beautiful skies) |
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| (Perfect walking weather) |
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| Perfect day! |
