(21st March 2014 - 18 miles) I had a spring in my step as I left 'The Queen's Head,' paused for a little window-shopping, picked up some lunch and crossed the bridge over the River Coquet. On a warm, sunny morning, I had the fine prospect of several hours riverside walking. And at day's end, … Continue reading St Oswald’s Way: Day 3 – Rothbury to Warkworth
Long Distance Footpath
St Oswald’s Way: Day 2 – Kirkwhelpington to Rothbury
(20th March 2014 - 15 miles) Today would be a sun-no-show. There were only three sunless days on my 220-mile trail but, with a sorry lack of prescience, I worried when I awoke to one that the rest of my holiday would be overcast and rainy. I needn't have: after today, fine weather returned. … Continue reading St Oswald’s Way: Day 2 – Kirkwhelpington to Rothbury
St Oswald’s Way: Day 1 – Wall to Kirkwhelpington
(19th March 2014 - 19 miles) On the ninth day of my walk across England from Ulverston to Berwick, I woke early, pulled back the curtains and gasped. Blue skies! Sunshine! After three grey days, a sunny spring morning was a bit of a shock. I danced a little jig (not really), had a shower … Continue reading St Oswald’s Way: Day 1 – Wall to Kirkwhelpington
St Oswald’s Way
In 634AD, or thereabouts, King Oswald of Bernicia led a small army against the combined, larger forces of Gwynedd and Mercia at the battle of Heavenfield. The record of Oswald's life is scant but on the eve of battle he (might have) personally raised a large wooden cross and (possibly) asked his men to join … Continue reading St Oswald’s Way
Hadrian’s Wall Path: Day 3 – Steel Rigg to Wall
(Hadrian's Wall Path. 18th March 2014 - 14 miles + 1 off route) Breakfast at Saughy Rigg was as good as it gets: yoghurt with berries, toast, marmalade, the finest egg benedict in the land and swooningly-strong coffee. Decent coffee isn't so very difficult to make and yet I despair at the number of B&B's … Continue reading Hadrian’s Wall Path: Day 3 – Steel Rigg to Wall
The Walking Gardener 