September

Ashley

Alwinton – Low Alwinton – Well House Farm – Newton - Clennel Hall – Kidlandlee – Clennel Street - Alwinton

Much better than expected. One small shower.

Ashley, Diane, Richard, Ron, Sandy.

George - taking a cat to the vet

Bernie - in a blooming muddle

Michael and Michelle - in Spain

Comments

The walk started along the riverbank past St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Alwinton, where the organist was practising for Sunday Service. The church has a raised altar over the crypt. We noticed that there were many very young people buried in the graveyard.

Excellent navigation by photo. We backtracked to allow a farmer to bring sheep through some gates. Lunch was taken in warm sunshine against a dry-stone dyke. Sandy stole the cup from Ashley’s flask.

We had tea in the walled garden at Clennel Hall, where we met and fed a very friendly white horse. Ashley, Ron and Ruby did the shortened walk from Clennel Hall. There were great views from Clennel Street overlooking the hall.

We met two nice King Charles Cavalier Spaniels called Ruby and Molly and a noisy old retriever. We found a badger sett in the woods.

Wildlife etc.:

Pheasants, swallows on the wires, lots of pied wagtails, chaffinches, rooks, hare, black beetle, albino spider, horses, seven orange rams, blackface sheep, black-eyed sheep.

The Badger at Ponteland (appropriately!). Joined by Evelyn and George. Service slow, but good meal.

Group

Den

Church

Lime Kiln

Stonework

Lunch

Diane and Richard

View from aloft

Onward

Afternoon tea

Richard and horse

Fungi

Badger Sett