The Ridgeway, finished at last
Our Long Walkers group had only 26 miles to go when Covid struck. Two attempts to continue in 2020 and 2021 had to be aborted; so it was good to be able to get going again. There was some concern that the 13 miles planned for Day 2 might have been a bit optimistic bearing in mind the lack of distance-walking that had occurred since we stopped, not to mention the ageing process. However, that proved not to be a problem and most of us were able to complete it. The weather helped: sunny and warm on the two short-walk days and pleasantly mild and windless cloudy weather on the long middle day. And we all managed somehow to by-pass the one final obstacle being put in our way -- the fuel crisis -- although there was plenty of evidence of it in the queues at all the petrol stations in the local villages on the route.
So, where to next? There are a few options: continue on the Ridgeway and ultimately complete the Greater Ridgeway that would take us North East to Hunstanton in Norfolk; the Wyche Way, which would link up two paths we have already done -- Offa's Dyke and the Cotswold Way; stick to the coast on the Norfolk Coastal Path; the interesting-sounding Yorkshire Wolds Way; or, again in nice unhilly Norfolk, take on the Peddar's Way. Decisions will be made soon for starting again in 2022. ❤❤❤❤❤
the final section: Kingston Blount to Ivinghoe Beacon
splendid vintage cars all day on the Branch Hill Climb
the steepest bit comes at the end: Ivinghoe Beacon
Chequers in the distance as we walk through the estate
made it!
Circular walk from Licswm, Flint. 6 miles, 100m climb
Looked good on paper, following, ancient hollow ways and field paths from Licswm to Ysceifiog in a circular route and taking in the edge of the lead mines on Halkyn Mountain. But there was a lesson to be learned: don't plan a walk on a guide book more than 40 years old. A significant number of public footpaths, even although marked on the current OS maps, had been allowed to deteriorate or, in some places be incorporated into the gardens of adjacent properties. Where they existed, some were overrun with nettles but, unfortunately (as I was in shorts) still had to be taken to avoid a huge detour.
But interesting places to see: ancient Ysceifiog churchyard with gravestones dating back to 1611, 18th century Plas Côch, although much ruined by plastic windows, late summer flowers and a couple of steep hills for exercise. Good area, but a different route is recommended. ❤❤
Ysceifiog
The Northumbria Coastal Path + around 45 miles
This route of the Northumbria Coastal Path (see map) is superimposed in places with the St.Cuthbert's Way and/or the St. Oswald's Way. We had already walked the whole of the first of these and parts of the second. So we had effectively only the top and bottom of the Northumbria Coastal Path left to do. At the same time we could do a bit more of the St. Oswald's.
We started in Cresswell, walking to Alnmouth; then started again at Beal, walking on to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Between the two walks, we added to our incomplete St. Oswald's Way by walking inland from Rothbury to East Framlington. These are mainly gentle routes with lots of shoreline and beach walking and with splendid views of Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands, which we also visited. Berwick, which I had barely visited before, is a fine, well preserved historic town with one of the most intact mediaeval city walls in Europe and some lovely Georgian architecture. ❤❤❤❤❤
Vipers bugloss with cinnabar moths
Warkworth Castle
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Sunny start: near Widdrington
Rocky route near Amble
Pastoral walking from Rothbury on the St. Oswald's Way
Not universally sunny weather
Wild flowers along the edge of the dunes
River Coquet at Warkworth. Optimistic name for the vessel
On the route: Brinkburn Priory and Hall
The Farne Islands
A puffin feeding its puffling in the nest
Two 5-mile walks in Dumfries and Galloway: 5 mile circular from Auchencairm and the grounds of Culzean Castle
First, a walk over the headland south of Castle Douglas. A longer circular walk intended, but the coastal path there is quite precipitous in places. So we recognised our age and, despite Pilates balance exercises three times a week, realised that it was better to turn back than to risk a fatal fall. ❤❤❤❤
Hestan Island in the background
The grounds of Culzean Castle, near Maybole in Ayrshire, are immense and provide a langthy circular route, largely free of the crowds round the castle itself.
