Wednesday, 31st August 2022
Cloud, but cool start to the day, at 14c. Clearly, the recent hot weather has changed my expectations for temperature, last year, I would have called 14c mild.
We cycle to Fourstones, then, via NCN72, on a quiet road, back to Haydon Bridge, to make a circuit.
Only a little over 10 miles, although, Kathleen did a little over 11 miles, because she ploughed on ahead and didn't bother with the little detail of reading the signposts. I had to phone her to tell her she had missed the turning.
This ride was brutal, even with electric assistance, undulating with a capital "U"!.
The initial section followed the River South Tyne, and, could therefore be expected to be reasonably flat, not so, up and down, up and down. At Fourstones we joined the Sustrans National Cycle Route, NCN72, heading West. This section is along a quiet road, with reasonable tarmac surface.
There are some exhilarating downhill stretches, but, of course, every exhilarating downhill is preceded by a not so exhilarating uphill section.
It would appear we got the best of the weather for our ride, because, by later in the afternoon, it is raining on and off. Normal UK weather returns, it would appear.
I had noticed, whilst walking around Haydon Bridge, frequent references to a "John Martin". In my artistic ignorance, I had never heard of him, but, he is, apparently quite famous, and mixed with Royalty, including Tsar Nicholas, impressive, for a chap from Haydon Bridge.
There is a plaque, just along the road from us, outside of a small house. It is apparently where he was born and spent his childhood. In addition to giving brief details of his life, the plaque also gives details of a heritage trail, named after him, we may well try it, either on foot, or, on bicycles, when/if the rain stops.
Thursday, 1st September 2022
Cloudy start to the day, 12c, with a mist hanging over the river. A true autumn day. The forecast is for some sunshine and an acceptable 18c, in fact, by 09:30, it is already brightening up, and, it turns into a very pleasant afternoon.
I read up on the John Martin Heritage Trail yesterday, it is in two parts, a two mile section on the North side of the river, and an 11 mile section on the South side of the river.
Despite the length, we head toward the John Martin Trail, but, not with the intention of walking 11 miles!
After about a mile, we meet a young woman, walking her dog, and, after an exchange of pleasantries, she tells us instructions for a route to follow, which, will give us a much more
manageable two or three mile circuit.
The route takes us up the side of the valley, so, a steady climb, but, the views are understandably, extensive and impressive.
The plan is, a walk, then, lunch.
We barely come near civilisation, never mind a pub or restaurant, although, we do come within sight of Langley Castle.
Speaking of food, we do pass a field of next month's roast beef Sunday Dinner, need a bit of growing time, but, they will get there, I am
sure.
In the same field, one of the bullocks was mis-behaving, and attempting to eat a discarded piece of plastic bag or wrapping.
Kathleen took it upon herself to prevent this act of self-harm.
Initially, her plan was to climb into the field and remove the plastic, until, that is, I point out that, these are young cattle, and, there are a couple of cows in there with them, who may take exception to you disciplining their 'children', even if it is for their own good.
Plan B is called for. Kathleen speaks very sternly to the young bullock, in a voice normally reserved for instructing me not to do something of which she disapproves.
Obviously, the bullock is not as compliant (or intimidated) as I am, because after initially desisting from eating the plastic, it soon returns to it's meal.
Fortunately, a couple of local youngsters, happen to come along, they are clearly more used to dealing with badly behaved bullocks, than a couple of elderly townies are. They clamber over the fence, and remove the offending plastic, all is well, the bullock can continue on it's way to becoming a beef sandwich.
Lunch beckons, and we return to Haydon Bridge, to select a suitable eating place.
The selection is not difficult, there are only three choices, Anchor Hotel, Railway Hotel and General Havelock.
The Anchor Hotel looks smart, but, is perhaps a trifle more 'fancy' than we want for lunch, the Railway Hotel does not appear to be open, so, the General Havelock it is.
I have checked them all out, using Google etc, as you do. The frontage matches exactly with its reviews, ie, not very impressive, but, inside, it is comfortable, with an excellent patio, right on the river bank. Unfortunately, it is not warm enough, for Kathleen, to eat outside, so, we sit inside.
Staff are friendly, and food is good, although, in my humble opinion, not quite up to the glowing reviews. After, glowing reports of the quality of the baguette, I opt for the beef sandwich, hopefully, not related to our friends in the photographs. The baguette recommendations are right, it is very good.
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