A Year Long Pilgrimage

There is no direct train from Corbridge to Durham, with all passengers headed there, having to go via Newcastle.  Arriving in Newcastle I was faced with an hours wait for the connecting train, which was running late due to some fault.  It was amusing watching all those who had flexible tickets, unlike me, trying to cram onto a train that came 10 minutes earlier.   I waited, and was only about 5 minutes behind in the end. The train was to London, and because it was a fast train, taking only 9 minutes to get to Durham, I didn't bother finding my allocated seat, standing near the exit instead.  Looking out the window I could see a lot of snow lying on the ground, so was glad I had chosen the train option.  Arriving in Durham,  just on dark, with snow and ice requiring care so as not to slip. Same place, two days later, after Storm Bert arrived!  But 24 hours later the temperature had risen by 12° and not a skerrick of snow to be seen. Durham is a lov...

.... well, sort of!  The Way of Light is a pilgrimage path heading from Heavenfield,  north of Hexham and on the wall, heading south west to Durham.  Now I said at the beginning "sort of" -  because I have done very little of this path, due to the weather.   I had actually missed the section from Heavenfield to Hexham because of staying at Haydon Bridge.   I had called the youth hostel in Edmundbyers to make a reservation,  but was not accepted, because snow was expected and it would not be safe.  Thus plans were changed and instead I caught a bus to Heavenfield and walked back to Hexham, at least doing the start of this path. The path to Heavenfield A little of the wall Still heading to Heavenfield.  A huge battle was fought there. This was a delightful walk, where I followed the wall for another few kilometres, before joining the Way of Light path.  It was nice to be back on the wall again,  having thought I had left it ...

I have spent the last couple of days on, or near, the wall.  There is not a lot to tell - there have been spectacular views, very heavy frosts, and of course, bits of the wall to see. The Twice Brewed Inn, my stop for the night, cars covered in frost. Sycamore Gap.  The 250 year old Sycamore tree was cut down just over a year ago by 2 people who will face court in Dec this year. At the top of Sewing Shields A common fungi in the Sewing Shields area Stiff ascents (and descents) Observers, while I chatted to a passerby After a strenuous day negotiating the path and being very careful walking on the frosty grass I left the path for what I thought was the last time, heading to Haydon Bridge for the night.  A hard slog along the road eventually found me reaching the Anchor Hotel, my destination.  The Anchor Hotel  Looking back at Haydon Bridge  The next day I headed along the road to the delightful market town of Hexham.  It was a short day, and I reached i...