Posted:  Thursday 28 May 2009

North East Associates
Follow a Drovers' Road
- 28th May -

Into the heart of Northumberland we drove in our cars, into the valley of the River Coquet and passing through Rothbury - it was March last year that we were here - then in and out of Thropton - we need to get a fix on our lunch location - and eight miles further to Alwinton - near the end of the road.
Now we were well into Cheviot country, and in the Northumberland National Park.

After the formalities we set off northwards and upwards along Clennell Street, walking now.
No fashionable boutiques here as this "street" is an old drove road along which, in days long gone, cattle were moved from the Tweed valley to hungry Tyneside.

Are we the drovers, or are we being led?

Quiet today, though, apart from the conversations among 42 Associates - and a little competition from the local sheep.
The latter were much less offensive than the seagulls of Whitby!

Oops, spoke too soon - firing on the nearby Otterburn range and some RAF trainers shattered the silence!

Peter Draper and Ged Downey led the way this time, for our "long" and "short" groups respectively.  In future our walk leaders will be nominated from the group.  Colin Harris was our support.  Thanks guys.

On we went for over two miles along this track through open country and climbed towards Wholehope Knowe at 443m, gaining about 250 metres in elevation - with soon another 25 to reach our highest point.
The views were stunning, especially behind us!  (Mothers are best at this.)
The rugged looking Simonside Hills, to the south-east across the Coquet valley, are silhouetted against the sky - they are next month's challenge.
Better review the training schedule - to the top or just walk round?

Turning to enter into an area of woodland, so the map said, we set off on a section of nearly two miles which would ultimately lead us to our return route.  This part led us at first through variable terrain, including very boggy ground and some cleared areas, and then into Kidland Forest where we started our descent.

The weather was overcast and breezy.

A gradual decline at first through close tree growth, we were in an eerie place where the sun never shines. The path steepened but suddenly we were out of the woods and on a track in a valley bottom, in brilliant noon sunshine.

We had met the River Alwin.

Descending on the short route

The short walk party had peeled off somewhere on the first stage and then continued north-ish, first on a gradual descent which became steeper as they too reached the River Alwin, well ahead of the other group.  About three miles to go back to base on this last stretch!

We all followed the meandering river downstream, with a few sheep high up on the hillsides and plenty of noisy crows overhead in what seemed a desolate valley, to the hamlet of Clennell and then up again and back to Alwinton through some fields to rejoin Clennell Street.  Downhill this time, fortunately.

This made it about five miles for most, although those in the longer walk group had added to this to take their tally to over seven.

Close to Alwinton the Alwin joins the Coquet which continues eastwards in a very picturesque and quiet valley.



The small pub in Alwinton was not equipped to cope with our numbers so then the race was on.  Who would get to Thropton first for lunch at the highly recommended "The Three Wheat Heads Inn" - and pick the table with the best view?

No-one lost out, we were expected and all enjoyed a convivial lunch lasting well into the afternoon, again with the Simonside Hills as a beautiful backdrop. Even some locals looked interested!

What a glorious day.

ph  28/05/2009

pictures:  cph, ph

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