Ron

Old Bewick – Blawearie – Cateran Hill – Tick Law – Bewick Hill – Old Bewick.

Good, sunny and warm. Occasional cloud and breeze.

Ron, Sandy, George, Ashley, Hazel (and Marco).

Bernie - start of term.

Michael and Michelle - returning from a holiday in Spain.

Evelyn - busy week.

Carol - "too busy now I'm retired". Joint winner excuse of the year

Olwen - too busy.

Comments

A friendly local gentleman from one of the cottages at Old Bewick showed us some photos of Blawearie in the 1940s, when it was inhabited, and also some other pictures which showed how it had fallen into decay since it had been abandoned.

We were joined by Marco, a two-year old black labrador, who covered at least twice the distance that the humans managed. He also insisted on plodging or swimming in every available puddle, burn or pond, regardless of how muddy or smelly it was. He then insisted on shaking himself dry in the proximity of the humans. However, he was unable to run as fast as any of the sheep, so gave up in disgust and embarassment.

We inspected the Bronze Age burial site close to Blawearie. Lunch was taken on top of Cateran Hill, where we were treated to spectacular views. We identified four castles: Lindisfarne, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Warkworth; as well as the Farne Islands, Seahouses, Beadnell, the Cheviots and Hedgehope, and at least five yachts heading north.
We examined several rocks with cup and ring marks, before the second tea stop at a Pill Box, from which we could see where the river Breamish becomes the Till at Bewick Bridge. There were more good views of the Border Hills. We could also see a commune of green tents with a picnic table and several gas bottles outside.

It was a tricky descent back to get back to the cars. We couldn't find a way around a fence to gain access to the track along which we had started the walk. We didn't meet anybody throughout the walk.

Wildlife/Flora/Animals:

Birds: house martins, meadow pipits, wheatear, large crow and grouse.

Insects: peacock butterfly, many beehives ajacent to the heather.

Plants/Trees: lots of heather in flower, as well as thistle flowers, ferns and gorse. Blue harebells.

Mammals/others: Intimidating cows with attractive black or brown calves. Black, brown and white sheep. Badger sett.

Shoulder of Mutton, Longhorsley. Joined by Evelyn. Good pub standard, although the beer garden needs a tidy up.

September walkers

En Route

Burial mound

Old ruins - and a building

Beehives

Lunch

Other way, Sandy

In the wilds

Moorland

Peacock butterfly

Cup and Ring

Peek-a-boo!

Ashley on the pillbox

View from pillbox

Scenery