MORE WALL WANDERINGS - 22.5.11


STORMY WEATHER

Once again Haltwhistle expert Frank lead us out of this small town which is situated deep in Roman wall country and sometimes billed as the centre of Britain. The party numbered nine and encouragingly four old timers were balanced by four new members plus one guest – Kon from Newcastle. Sadly the weather remained poor throughout the day with a strong wind and vicious showers chasing us along all mA BRIEF RESPITEorning. At least on returning into the wind the altitude was lower and the rain less severe with even occasional sunny periods.

 CRAG LOUGH

Heading north along Haltwhistle Burn the Wall was reached and crossed at Cawfields. It was then admired from a short distance as we had a coffee stop in the lee of a welcome lime kiln and walked north of Crag Lough and Sycamore gap to reach the Pennine Way and Housesteads.

 

Bardon Mill was the next objective before the return leg close to a swollen River South Tyne was briefly postponed by lunch in the dubious shelter of a soggy Haughstrother Wood. With the end clearly in sight Frank insisted on a long uphill moorland trudge into the weather before finally turning for home. The 20 miles was completed as bypass, river and railway were eventually re-crossed on the return to our starting point.

BLOWN ABOUTLONG STONE