September

Michelle

Hartburn – Longwitton – Southwitton – Rothley Castle – Hill End – Southwitton -  Longwitton Dene - Hartburn

Changeable, coolish with a little bit of rain

Michelle, Ron, Sandy, Bernie, George, Ashley

None recorded

Comments

Ashley joined us for half of the walk.

We stopped for lunch close by Rothley Castle, where there were good views over the surrounding countryside. We walked up the castle after lunch. The structure was erected in the middle of the eighteenth century as a sham castle to serve as a distant eye catcher from Wallington Hall. Unfortunately, it started to rain when we were there, restricting the views.

Part of the route was difficult to follow due to farmers putting up 'Beware of the Bull' signs. Also the enlargement of fields under cultivation made finding the right path difficult. We had to negotiate several fords.

We passed several shooting hides and a few nice tasteful houses.

Wildlife: Lots of pheasants, kestrel, swallows, house martins – heard a bird of prey. Red Admiral and Cabbage White butterflies as well as a hairy caterpillar. Two donkeys, a horse, and a snooty lama. Six very clean and friendly lambs. Cows, calves and pigs.

The Badger, Ponteland. Joined by Evelyn, Diane and Richard.

September Walkers

Ford over Hartburn

Group at Hartburn

Setting Off

Farm Machinery

Tricky

Plenty of Wildlife

Lunch Stop

Rothley Castle

Lots more Wildlife!

Zwarbles

Mixed Four-legged Friends

Llama

Nice Scratch

Close-up

Show Sheep