Paul on Blue, Dunmail on Ebony and Sol on Samson:
Watering the horses and riders at Rookhope in Weardale:
On the road again near Alston:
Camped up near Featherstone Castle:
Bewcastle Waste - a Godforsaken place if ever there was one!
That was more than 9 miles to Bailey!
Day 1
- Followed the Waskerley Way from Castleside to Rookhope
- After a thorough watering in Rookhope, headed over into Weardale proper
- Overnighted at Cowshill
Day 2
- Headed over the pass at Killhope into the South Tyne valley
- Stopped at Nenthead for emergency repairs to a bridle
- Followed the edge of the valley round Alston
- Dropped down to the valley floor and forded the Tyne
- Followed the valley north to Lambley, near Featherstone Castle where a farmer let us stop in his field
- Headed for the pub and drank plenty of beer and whisky.
Day 3
- Dunmail paid the price for more drink than he could take. (Puking on horseback ... nice ...)
- Followed the Tyne northwards past Featherstone Castle and then cut over the top to Greenhead and Gilsland
- Headed north from Gilsland towards Spadeadam
- Between Spadeadam and Bewcastle is Bewcastle Waste. Mile upon mile of featureless white moor,
with a fair chance of plunging hock-deep at every step. Even the gates required wading to get through (unlucky Paul :-).
We were to glad to see the back of the place. but the sight of Bewcastle from the tops lifted our spirits
- Bewcastle to Bailey Mill
- Food and beer ...
