Trees
Walk leader | Michelle (deputising for Michael) |
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Route | Haydon Bridge – Lees Farm – Allen Banks – Plankey Mill – Hag Bank – Plankey Mill – Lough Green – Deanraw – Haydon Bridge |
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Weather | Wet and muggy at the start. Rained intermittently throughout but dried up a bit towards the end. |
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Walkers | Michelle, Ron, Sandy, George. |
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Excuses | Michael - knackered back Ashley - knackered back Richard - injured Bernie - visiting relatives in Oxford |
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Comments |
Distance: 9.8 miles. Total ascent: 350 metres The first walk where the leader was incapacitated and his deputy knocked off early due to severe ankle injury and had to be rescued by the incapacitated leader. It was very wet and clarty throughout as a result of recent heavy rain. The area around the field gates were especially difficult to negotiate – Michelle got her feet and socks wet when she sunk nearly knee deep into the glaur. We were met by a sheepdog at Lees Farm, where an old three-legged sheepdog tried to see us off the premises. Younger dogs were in pens a few yards away as well as a sheep in a stall who popped its head up to see what was happening. Also there were some rams in a pen waiting to be let loose on the ewes. We followed part of the John Martin (a famous artist) trail including going past his birthplace. The current owners of the farm were not enthusiastic about having anybody wandering around the premises. We missed the path to the lake at Allen Banks then couldn't find a path through the woods south of Plankey Mill. We walked on a bit before deciding to return to Plankey Mill where we climbed up the steep road to Strother House, and so returned to Haydon Bridge by the planned route. Many of the stiles were shaky and very slippy. There were some nice views, although the lack of sunshine made them a bit indistinct. There was a lot of water in the rivers Allen and Tyne. Wildlife etc.: Lots of sheep, some of whom looked very muscular (possibly Texels) while some of the rams were wearing harnesses with ink pads to show which ewes they had serviced. One poshed-up sheep looked as if it had just come back from a show. |
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Meal | ||||
The Swan at Heddon: joined by Beth, Tom, Evelyn and Michael. Nice meal.
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Photo Gallery |
Group |
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Group with deputy leader |
Sign |
Hotel by the water |
Haydon Bridge |
Tyne Valley |
Back towards Haydon Bridge |
River |
Autumn Colours
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In the woods |
Cliff |
Unidentified pink flowerss |
Farm |
Ram in harness with his ewes |