Ooh argh - limping like a pirate.....

Fed up with limping like a pirate and missing my usual weekend walking, I thought I would share a most wonderful walk we did while on holiday.

My Mom and Dad gave Himself an early birthday pressie of an excellent little walking book written by the Berwick Ramblers, describing in detail several walks through the Cheviot Hills. Each walk includes a bit of historical reference, points out some interesting views, notes geographical information as well as giving a really good walk.

We had intended to do a few before the holiday was out, but things being what they were, we managed one.................




The first walk was impressively titled :
Humbleton Common Road, Gainslaw Road and a bit of Shakespeare.

I decided I would photo the views as sketched in the book for a bit of fun.

Above - the book - the style and layout surely a homage to the wonderful A Wainwright, who wrote so many beautiful books in around the Lakeland Fells

Below - my photo-homage to the above sketches

We were amused by the postal van parked at the top of the hill. How long had it been there? Encouraged by the views and the massive sky, we continued along. Our path took us through swathes of sun-ripened grasses. Their heads swaying in the breeze in huge swells.

 Fields of moorland grasses rippling like waves in the breeze

As we rounded another rolling hill we were hit by the most amazing scene - acres and acres of honey scented-heathers - gorgeous. I kept wondering if this is how if feels to walk through the lavender fields in France, mile after mile of heavenly shades of blues and purples.

The scent was glorious - a rich honey smell 

There was barely a soul up there, the odd walker (and believe me some walkers are quite odd!) but mostly just us and the hills. We came across 50 or so apiaries, we were not surprised, with all that heather there oozing with pollen and smelling of honey. We quietly walked through clouds of busy bees, halting briefly to watch (at a distance as I am allergic to bee stings) and to count the boxes.

The apiaries, nestled against a windbreak of trees, 

not that the photograph shows 

but the air was filled with the buzz of thousands and thousands of bees

It was at this point that the book chatted about turning down the lane and continuing into the valley, when Himself got a glint in his eye...yes that  'I-want-to-walk-up-that-BIG-hill' glint in his eye. His grin and his persuasive charm (and the fact he had been wanting to go up that BIG hill for some time)  meant that we turned off the book's chosen path and broke out towards Yeavering Bell . Initially I was a bit put out that we were deviating from the original route as I had been really really enjoying but Yeavering Bell soon helped redeem the walk.

Yeavering Bell, looming ahead

We strode through the knee high heathers, down the valley and then wheezed up again - and it was worth every gasping breath - the view was fantastic!

The boys disappear down the track towards the hill

We sheltered against the nippy breeze in one of the old defense ditches, our backs against the banking and just took in the glorious glorious view.

Time to set off, it was getting late and we still had to rejoin the original walk and return to our starting point.

A quick look at the book for the return journey

and my attempt to recreate - we suspect that the trees have grown since the sketch 

as we had to go very high up to see the house over the trees

We finished our walk in fading evening sunlight having loved the wonderful airy feel it left us with.

As we drove back to the carry-van I looked back and saw the hills bathed in glowing evening sunlight, Himself pulled over so I could take a picture.......

.......And we all agreed -It had been a very good walk! 

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Well, that briefly took my mind off my knee - So it worked! 

Any hoo all for now, it's Sunday evening and as far as weekends go,this one has been very quiet. We've been harvesting and gardening or rather, the boys have been working and I have been directing (don't worry Mum - I'm taking it easy!!) 

Have yourselves a lovely Monday and may you have sunshine and smiles all day :)

with love (and still dodgy knee) hawthorn xxxxxxxxxxxxxx