The Way of Light ...

.... 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 a few days ago.  Following the wall I found my way to a beautiful little church - the Church of St Oswald.  This church sits on top of a hill, in the middle of a sheep paddock, with magnificent views, and bears the full brunt of the fierce northerly wind.  
St Oswald's Church, Heavenfield



After leaving the Church,  having had a sing, and taken a few photos, I headed to Hexham.  This was quite a short walk, of about 12kms, and I made it easily despite a lengthy rest and chinwag at a pub in  Acomb, just on lunchtime,  enabling another leisurely wander around Hexham.
The first sign for this path.  This is one of four paths collectively called The Northern Saint's Trail

Crossing the River Tyne at Hexham


At breakfast that morning a near local man had suggested, given the current weather conditions, and potential exposure risks on the moor,  that I would be advised to skip the next stage.  By saying "near local" I mean that he lived 20kms away in a town I would have walked through and his reason for being at the pub was because of the forecasted snow, meaning he wouldn't be able to get to work - hence an overnight stay in the pub to guarantee that he would make it to work the next day!

Thus, having no desire to call out mountain rescue, and safety being my prime concern, I decided to catch a train to Durham.  However, I didn't catch it from Hexham as many people suggested I needed to visit the village of Corbridge because it was such a lovely village, and had a particularly beautiful and historic church.  So my plan changed again, walking to Corbridge, and catching the train, via Newcastle, to Durham. 
Looking back to Hexham, on way to Corbridge
A Roman Arch, inside St Andrews Church, Corbridge.

St Andrews Church, Corbridge 
Corbridge
Corbridge

I am now in Durham, waiting for storm Bert to pass, and with more amendments to my itinerary, but that can wait for the next post.

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