George

Billsmoor Park – Billsmoorfoot – High Carrick – Folly Sike – Elsdon – Hudspeth – Billsmoor Park

Better than expected. Sunny and windy but cold. Clouded over at lunchtime with a few drops of rain later on.

George, Ashley, Ken, Ron, Sandy.

Diane and Richard - Christingle Christmas service

Michael - post-op

Michelle - looking after Michael

Comments

Initially we climbed up over some tussocky ground to a military road, which was in immaculate condition with no potholes. We turned off at High Carrick, but it was difficult to find the path around the house. We dropped down to a ford and had to look around for a narrow bit to jump over. Ashley and Sandy crossed using the fence. There were good views of Cheviot as we approached Elsdon.

Our lunch stop was outside the Bird and Bush pub in Elsdon. We purchased teas and coffees from the friendly landlord. After lunch we had a look at the Mott and Bailey on the north edge of Elsdon – one of the finest examples in England. The drawbridge is still there.

The last section of the walk didn't appear to have been walked very frequently. Navigation was tricky with several direction arrows missing. The path was indistinct and overgrown with gorse in some places while in other places the mud was like wet cement and the field gates were barricaded. At Hudspeth we passed a driverless Land Rover with its engine running and no sign of anyone around, although there was plenty of equipment on display. We saw a herd of deer, between 15 and 20 strong.

We didn't meet anybody on the walk, and wildlife was in short supply apart from the deer.

The Badger, Ponteland – nice meal as usual and helpful staff.

December walkers

Open spaces

On the way

Bringing up the rear

Sheep Pen

Into the distance

Impressive dry stone wall

Lunch

Elsdon Church

Photographer

Interesting house

What we saw!