Once again we have had a warm, dry day, contrary to the warnings of the weather forecasters.
We had a good breakfast at the hotel, packed up our lunches, and leave by taxi back to Hethpool which is where we left off yesterday. As we start the
walk farmers are corralling sheep into a pen. We don't want to imagine what is happening to them.
Once again we climb unremittingly into the Cheviots. At last the path levels off and we have a wonderful walk along ridges, and around various tors. Yea
during Bell seems to feature for a long time as we walk around it, up and down. Across the top, we are on peat and the Heather has begun to bloom. The views are achingly beautiful. We can see wonderful countryside for miles around. Every now and then we are
assaulted by the sweet smell of clover. We hear larks, and an oystercatcher. Today, for the first time, there are other walkers around. Mostly on a good Saturday tramp up the hills. But later we discover that a race had begun at 5.30 this morning from Melrose
to Lindisfarne. People pass us...running, walking fast. It rather takes away from our sense of achievement that they could do this in a day....over 60 miles with plenty of ascent!
We have sandwiches once we can see Wooler in the valley.
We have done 6 miles! The route downhill of course also takes in long uphill sections through bracken, along green sword, and through deep woodland. Finally we hit the tarmac, and stop for a cuppa in Wooler, which is the first town we have been in for a while.
We still have 4 miles to do...and we debate the wickedness of getting a taxi, but decide in the end to walk on. Once again we walk upwards, but then come to nature reserves with open views of the valley below. Finally we are on the downward
path and find ourselves at Westwood Bridge. It dates from the sixteenth century and was used by the English army on its way to victory at Flodden Field in 1513. It has of course since been restored. From here it is a hard tarmac road to the farmhouse at East
Horton. The couple of miles seem the longest ever and we are relieved finally to sit down! The B and B is a large country house....a farm, but a posh one! I have a fabulous room with sash windows looking out over the neatly mown lawn and thence to open country.
The Dyers have booked a taxi back to Wooler, and we have a very delicious meal in town before heading hback for a good night's sleep!
We have had to make a difficult decision re tomorrow. The tides are against us. We need to be at the
causeway early and short of getting up and leaving at 5am, we won't be able to get across the causeway to Lindisfarne. We want to visit St Cuthbert's Cave, but we have decided to take a taxi to the causeway after that. Sad. But we can't face having to rush
our 14 mile walk, worrying that we might get stuck on this side....especially as the weather is not looking good in the afternoon. For days we have been trying to work out how to 'have our cake and eat it'. But now the decision is made we feel relieved. Anyway
my feet are very, very sore!!