Jen and I took the opportunity of going down to my niece’s graduation in Newcastle yesterday to have a couple of days walking in The Borders and Northumberland. On Sunday we had a short walk up the Leithen Water and then via forestry tracks near the Williamslee Burn up on to Middle Hill and Whitehope Law before descending over Windside Hill to Glentress. This gave a pleasant round with some rough going on the higher ground.
After staying in Wooler on Sunday night we did a circuit from Cocklawfoot south of Town Yetholm, which included Windy Gyle, King’s Seat, Score Head, Cairn Hill, The Cheviot and Auchope Cairn. This was pretty much as per the route described in the excellent SMC book “The Grahams and Donalds” and gave a good high level walk on the Scottish/Northumberland Border.
We had bright sunshine on both days with circa 20 to 30mph winds. Both walks are better done in dry or frosty conditions due to the boggy moorland nature of some sections. However, the sections on the Pennine Way and up The Cheviot are much improved by the slab paved paths, which have reduced erosion and allowed significant regrowth since I first walked in this area. One team was making good use of the dry conditions on Monday to climb on the remote Henhole Crags.
