Posted:  Thursday 22 May 2008

“Oh what a beautiful mornin’ . . . “  So starts the opening song in 'Oklahoma!'
It certainly was in Northumberland when nearly fifty Associates met for their May walk - wall to wall sunshine and only a very light breeze.

Our meeting point was at ‘The Bay Horse’ in Stamfordham, about twelve miles to the west of Newcastle.
This attractive village is basically of 18th century stone-built houses surrounding a large village green on which there’s a market cross dating from 1735.

Further into the song the words go “The corn is a high as an elephant’s eye . . . “
Questionable on two points, are there elephants in Oklahoma, or even Arizona where much of the film was made, and if so are they of a standard size?

On leaving the village there were cries of astonishment as we were confronted by a bright yellow sea of oil-seed rape in full bloom.  ('Canola' in the land of the parent.)
For many "this was as high as a human eye”, or higher!  Only two feet tall at the time of the recce it had grown to between five and six feet.

Off we set for about ¾ mile through this stuff.  “Keep talking” was the message – “so that the guy in front can hear you and know that you’re still there.”  We did have some tall folks among the leaders!

Some of the more vertically challenged didn’t see much of the countryside for a while!  On emerging we all had a yellow hue.

A Stamfordham son, Arthur John Bigge, and 1st Baron, GCB, GCVO, GCIE, KCMG, KCSI, ISO, PC (born 1849) was Private Secretary to Queen Victoria during her last few years, and also to King George V during most of his reign.  The Barony became extinct on his death in 1931, his heir having been killed during WWI.

First off was the group taking the longer walk option at about 6½ miles.

Following on were those going for the 5½ mile version.
All headed south towards the hamlet of Ouston.

Those on the longer walk continued south, first passing Ouston Airfield.  Now disused, this was built for the RAF in 1941 and in 1967 became the temporary home of Newcastle Airport.  The area is now part of Albemarle Barracks, skirted next, which is the base for 39 Regiment, Royal Artillery.  Fortunately the razor wire was inside the fence.  Romans and Reivers have occupied this land.  Some of today's 'inhabitants' are obviously of a similar disposition.

Half-a-mile more took the group up the slight rise of Harlow Hill where they turned to follow the line of Hadrian's Wall, westward for a short distance.
This was on the B6318 'Military Road' – built in the 18th century by General Wade to aid troop movements which would allow him to fight a possible invading Scottish army during the 1745 rebellion.

Mel, Cliff, Moira & Peter

Starting on the return leg now it was northwards, passing the northern lake of the Whittle Dene reservoir complex, and soon to meet up with the path taken by the other group who had taken a different route from Ouston and were by now just a little way ahead.

The three miles back to Stamfordham, with the thought of lunch at The Bay Horse, were through relatively flat and open countryside, ending with a riverside walk before going through the churchyard.  A drop of 'Farmer's Pride', a real ale from the nearby High House Farm microbrewery rounded the event off nicely!

This pub, originally a fortified farm built in 1520 in the time of the Border Reivers and later becoming a coaching inn, looked after us well - before and after the walk.

At the beginning and at the end

pictures:  ged d, colin h, cliff s, peter h

ph  22/05/2008

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