Boxing Day

Michael

Wylam – downstream along south bank of the river – crossed the river at Newburn - returned by north bank of the river

After a short shower of rain/sleet at the start of the walk, the weather brightened up into a bright, crisp and very cold sunny day with no breeze.

Michael, Michelle, Ron, Sandy, and George B

Carol - arrived late at Wylam and missed us.

Bernie - family party

Ashley - visiting his aunt

Evelyn - recovering from a cold - visiting family

Carol arrived too late to join us- Michael tried to phone, got the wrong number and wished a complete stranger a happy Boxing Day.

A walk of smell, e.g gas, freshly baked bread from Warburton's Bakery downstream, silage and cooked meat. Lots of dogs out for a walk including a friendly boxer with a long tail, labradors and a bissant (back-to-front-dog)

Snow and ice on the ground. Nobody was playing golf, and there were no trains. Ron did a controlled skid on the slope down to the pub at Newburn. Heard several peals of bells from nearby churches. The walk was well timed with a nice lunch spot in the sun with a flat ice-covered rock to sit on and a picturesque church steeple on the hill behind. Sunset was spectacular with air frost in the fields. We returned to the cars just as darkness fell.

Had a drink in the Boathouse pub at Newburn – a very ethnic local which had practicaly run out of real beer and everything else but had lots of television screens and an apologetic barmaid. Sandy had a nice cup of tea (small teapot with four teabags).

The Swan, at Heddon-on-the Wall. It was much changed since our last visit. Superb butternut squash and chestnut soup.

Snowy scene

Feathered friend

Ryton Church

View from lunch

Lunch

Misty horses

Wylam across the Tyne

Newburn Park

Sunset on the Tyne

Snowy Track

Trees at Sunset