Michelle

Morpeth (Bluebell Wood) – path north bank of River Wansbeck – Chapel Wood – Bothal Bridge – Northstead Banks – Shadfen Park – Parkhouse Banks – Jubilee Well – south bank of river – Morpeth (Chantry) – Bluebell Wood (car park)

Sunny, warm in sheltered spots but windier on exposed spots.

Michelle, Michael, Ashley, George, Ron, Sandy.

Diane and Richard - dispensing spectacles in Senegal

Ken - in Scotland with friends

Comments

We were graced by the presence of the nationally recognized (BBC) illustrious photographer (? Cecil B. Demille/Ashley). We started off through Bluebell Wood, although we were too early for bluebells, however there were plenty of snowdrops. There were a lot of creaking trees and several had fallen in earlier storms. We had to clamber over one early on and crouch under another to get past. We passed a ruin with a local coat of arms and some graffiti in Latin dating from 1857.
Many people were out with their dogs – including a small cute chihuahua-esque dog. We didn't manage to find Pestilence Place.

Our lunch spot was on steps that had once formed part of an old weir and mill race. Ruby stumbled into the river and got her coat wet. Ashley left us at Bothal Bridge, after lunch, as he was going to his birthday celebration. We spotted a pill-box guarding the bridge, and passed a lot of litter.

It was a steep climb up from the river towards Shadfen Park. We skirted around a large field of leeks. We noticed several nice houses. One had two alpacas in the garden and two boys in a hot tub. There wa a large badger sett at side of the path. We crossed the main railway line, just as three trains went by. Michael waved to one, which appeared to be almost empty. We walked past several horses in a field, including two Shetland ponies.

We passed a boarded up semi-detached house, which was equipped with CCTV. Then we dropped down to the riverside and walked along the flood defences to the centre of Morpeth, where we had refreshments in the beer garden of the Black Bull, before returning to the cars.

Wildlife: Grey wagtail, dipper, buzzard, lots of mallards.

The Lion and Lamb at Horsley - pleasant meal.

February walkers

Bluebell wood sign

Bluebell Woods Morpeth

Pointing the Way

Michelle stuck

Ruby

On the Way

Difficult terrain

Up the Path

Rail Viaduct

Arches

Stone Shield

(Mulcaster Coat of Arms in Bothal Woods)

Bothal Church

River Wansbeck

Lunch by the River

Lunch

Michelle and Ruby at lunch

Alpaca