New - Bellister Castle
| Walk leader | Michelle |
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| Route | Plenmeller – old railway line – Lambley Viaduct – POW Camp 18 – Featherstone Castle – Bellister Castle – Plenmeller |
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| Weather | Some sunny spells, showers, hailstones and very windy. |
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| Walkers | Michelle, Michael, Bernie, Ron, Sandy, George. |
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| Excuses | Ken - DIY on Lake District cottage Ashley - back trouble Diane and Richard - prayer walk around the church |
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Comments |
It was agreed that the walk was well chosen for the time of year. Bernie came out by train to join us. There were lots of other walkers. We found a sheltered lunch spot, hunkered down behind the parapet of Lambley Viaduct. We passed close to the former colliery where Stephenson’s Rocket finished its working life. The river was in spate after the heavy rains of the previous week. A couple of mallard ducks were struggling, trying to swim against the current. There were copious amounts of water pouring out of field drains. Some fields were heavily waterlogged, so much so that we made tracks walking through them. We walked through POW Camp 18. It was established originally in 1943/4 to house American soldiers prior to the Normandy landings. It then became one the largest POW camps in the UK and housed up to 4600 German prisoners of all ranks, and from all three armed services. There is a plaque commemorating the existence of the camp. Wildlife: Long-tailed tits and flocks of chaffinches. |
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| Meal | ||||
The Wellington Inn, Riding Mill. Joined by Evelyn. Dog friendly. Nice meal but a bit noisy because of the television.
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| Photo Gallery |
Haltwhistle start |
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Checking the map |
Totem bird |
Blue bird box |
Weighing machine |
Tyne from Langley Viaduct |
Old - Bellister Castle |
