22/03/2007 by the walkers.

Eddie provides this update; our walk today took us on part of the Issac Tea trail we had traversed last year along the Allendale valley. We experienced echoes of the tin mining industry with the kilns and chimneys reminding us of Issac Holden born at a time of its demise. He traipsed over this trail selling teas to the farming and tin mining communities of the area. A peddler of tea in those days was considered only one step from the workhouse. He contributed to many charitable causes, not least the purchase of a horse drawn hearse for which he was one of the first to benefit as he died shortly after.
Our journey took us along the Whitfield estate where pheasants are bred, before we approached the open moorland. We ascended to 1500ft above sea level. While the views were stunning despite the gentle rain, the snow drifts had not melted and we kept treading on the soft white sheets before a gradual descent onto the metallic pathway. We were unable to find a suitable place on the moors to sit down for lunch, so had our picnic propped up against one of the many bridge-like structures along the route which were used as draft shafts to heat the lime kilns in former times. Our only wild life creatures were the rabbits, which looked like Easter bunnies, they were so tiny; and the sociable species of sheep called black face as they continued to follow us over a large area, maybe hoping we would feed them. However we did come across a lone alpaca as we finished the 10 1/2 walk.

Posted in Progress report | No Comments »

22/03/2007 by the walkers.

Veronica writes; there is nothing more frustrating than the extreme weather conditions which have hampered our planned walking preparations. They remind us of our trawler men unable to put to sea in bad weather and counting the cost of the lost days of fishing. However all is not lost, thanks to an enterprising couple who live within sight of the Solway Firth and the Lake District. Jackie & Peter Jensen, at Ullerbank Farm, Talkin Brampton, hire out their swimming pool complete with Jacuzzi, so swimming is a great way of keeping fit for the forthcoming walk. And it was on the return from such a lovely dip in their pool that Tony McAvoy (the AOS North East Co-ordinator who is organizing the sponsorship) met us with the A.O.S. shirt tops which we shall wear on the way. Things are falling into place and the excitement is almost tangible.

Posted in Progress report | No Comments »