Saturday 10 September 2016

Day 14 Whitley Pike and Padon Hill

15 miles Bellingham to Byrness

Bellingham has a handy range of shops. There's a post office (my need for which had now passed), a bakers (cheese and tomato sandwich, rocky road and a 2 oz bag of pineapple chunks), a hardware store (dubbin for my boots) and a chemist, where I joined a queue of fellow travellers in search of sticking plasters and insect repellent. 

This is the view from Whitley Pike.


This is Padon Hill. Not much to look at but after last night's rain and the hills reputation as a place where walkers risk drowning, I took advice and skirted round it on the road that the original Pennine Way route took.

Much of OS map OL42 charts areas of impenetrable forest that are said to be home to red squirrels. I spent this afternoon walking along a logging track dissecting a large part of it, to reach a clearing known as Byrness.


Where there was no sign of squirrels, but evidence of very tough sheep.

I arrived in time for pint of Tetley's at the Byrness Hotel, just as Northumbrian rock band Takahaad were striking up.

Later, I'll be driven back to Bellingham to spend the night, before resuming the last two days of the walk from Byrness tomorrow.

7 comments:

  1. Lovely views Robert and slurp delicious pineapple chucks, totally forgotten about them 😃

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  2. Shameful 😄 Hope the next couple of days go well Robert, stay safe and enjoy xx

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  3. Fab post tonight rob! Loved the list of all your purchases. The bit about walkers drowning was a bit perturbing, glad you went round. Shame you didn't see any red squirrels and glad you got your pint or three in. Is it only two days to go now? You are amazing xx

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    1. Lol You and your shopping. Last Day now Sarah, just having breakfast before setting off. Look forwards to catching up when I get home xxx

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  4. Yes Bellingham's pie and cake shops were especially good. The photos look lovely - a bit more relaxing than Friday's adventure! Have a great time on the last part Robert, hope all goes well and sad to have missed listening to 'Takahaad'... xx

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    1. You did draw a short straw with the longest walk Helen. Was better for me having you along though. Hopefully do a shorter one together, once you have some new boots!

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