A Haltwhistle Ring…

13/04/2007 by the walkers.

Veronica and Eddie write; today’s more local walk on 10 3/4 miles followed the route of one of the 12 Haltwhistle Rings walks. The Haltwhistle Partnership devised a book with these walks taking in some splendid countryside around the town reputed to be ‘The Centre of Britain’. Setting off from our house, we crossed under the A69 Newcastle to Carlisle carriageway and on towards the Roman Army Museum to Walltown Crags eventually making our way to the town of Haltwhistle .

The crags carried Hadrian’s Wall for 2000 years and in the 19th century were blasted for their hard rock needed for road building. The exposed raw face of the rock provides a fascinating glimpse into Walltown’s geological past. Already tourists were gathering for their morning sightseeing. Today for the first time in our preparations we:- met other groups of walkers; spoke to the locals and visitors; shed our layers of clothing on such a sunny day; and, shall we let you into a secret, we actually put on sunblock cream!

The going underfoot was very dry and firm, and we encountered many of the wild spring flowers now that the sun had cast her spell on them. Among these were buttercups, daisies; meadowsweet, violet and willowherb.

Further on we counted seven new born calves in a nursery barn, while ahead on the metallic road heading home, a young stoat scampered within view.

The pastoral scene became more intense with the farmers delivering bales of extra grazing for the new born lambs and their mums. Beside the Tipalt burn we witnessed five lambs playfully exploring the steep slope leading to the water under the anxious gaze of their mother.

The warmth of the sun; the exploding signs of new life all around put an extra spring to our steps ensuring we finished ahead of schedule.

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