January

Ashley - in absentia

Belford (West Road) – Swinhoe Farm – Dick’s Oldwalls – St. Cuthbert’s Cave – Swinhoe Lakes – Swinhoe Farm – Craggy Hall – Belford.

Brilliant sunshine, very cold with a biting wind.

Michelle, Michael, Ron, Sandy, George, Diane, Richard, Bernie.

None recorded

Comments

Ashley was unable to come due to family matters but left instructions for us to follow. Although the navigation was by committee, there were no extreme arguments, probably due to the good signposting.  The going was firm due to the very cold spell of weather. There were some slippy, icy patches as well as some mud and patches of snow.

There was a comfortable seat at the start for putting on our boots. We were surrounded by artificial poppies at the war memorial.

We passed a busy riding centre at Swinhoe Farm and had some spectacular views of the snow-covered Cheviots as we headed towards St. Cuthbert’s Cave, where we had lunch. The lunch spot was warm and sunny. St. Cuthbert was out but a posh lady, probably from the county set, complained that there were an awful lot of people there and that we were blocking the path. We were entertained by two children sliding down an ice-covered boulder.

We had a fantastic view of the coast from the north end of Lindisfarne southward to Bamburgh Castle.

We found some wooden horse fences in the middle of nowhere. Some of us felt compelled to jump over one of them. Swinhoe lakes were half frozen. There were unusual lime kilns at Craggy Hall. We were impressed by the castellated pile at West Hall.

Wildlife / Flora / Fauna

Lots of sheep, but all the cattle (mostly curly haired) were behind bars.

Two swans on the lake, as well as lots of ducks, including some mallards. Lapwings, skein of geese, yellowhammers, pied wagtails, fieldfares, swallows, wren, bluetits, sparrows, jackdaws, rooks, flying pheasants.

Some gorse in flower.

The Badger, Ponteland – very nice meal, attentive service.

Belford Well

January walkers

Castellated Farmhouse

Distant Holy Island

Crag View

Distant Bamburgh Castle

Lonesome Duo

Cheviots

Sandstone Outcrop

Cave

Lunch Stop

Navigation by Committee

Jumpers

Shadow Walkers

Frozen Lake

Curly-headed Cows