Border Country

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee brought with it some extra bank holidays so with a few spare days in hand I went camping in Northumberland. I've been to the border lands a few times now and I still enjoy the moody hills and the craggy valleys. I stayed at Clennell Hall Riverside Holiday Park which was an experience. I stayed there for its close access to the hills and tranquil setting but I think I may have been the only one with that remit staying their. What I can only describes as 'Chavs in Caravans' saturated the site. I don't whether it was because of the bank holidays that the holiday park was taken over by loud, messy families but nonetheless it wasn't quite what I had in mind for my camping trip.

I guess the good thing about camping in somewhere like Northumberland is that you can just get your boots and start walking which is what I did. The nearby Clennell Street which is an old Roman Road is a good starting/ finish point for a walk around the nearby woodland and hills. A lot of the countryside is open access so as long as you have a vague understand of geography and where you want to go navigating isn't too troublesome. However, some of the paths through the forests are slightly more complicated. This is due to the continuous management of the forests and due to the fact that some paths haven't been used for a while. So be careful if you decide to take a trip through the undergrowth! If you get to the top of the surrounding hills you can see the coast to the East and see Scotland to the North. It's a pretty good view and really worth the slog of getting to the top.

 Like any good days walking you need a good pub to finish at. The Rose and Thistle in Alwinton is a welcoming place for walkers, families, cyclist, just about anyone needing a brew or a pint! They've got some local ales on tap and serve good food. A nice treat for tired legs and feet.

Wiltshire Rambles

It’s getting colder and crisper as we settled into Autumn. But sometimes that’s a good thing. The log fire can roar, the winter coats come out and leaves can crunch.

What better way to get warm than to go on a brisk walk. I joined the West Wiltshire Ramblers just south of Trowbridge on one of their walks. I was met a pleasant group of sixty something’s and Bailey the dog. A lovely bunch who welcomed me into their group.

As we set off I was intrigued to learn why these people had joined the Ramblers. For some it was the sheer joy of walking and getting out into the countryside, but for others it was life changing. One lady I met told me that after her husband died “Sunday’s were the worst” and the Ramblers saved her in way. When I hear comments like this it makes me realise that life should not be taken for granted and we should make the most of it whilst we can. Do the things we dream of.

Rambling is a social occasion as well as a health benefit. It’s also a great way to get out and see the beautiful landscape. Along our walk, much to my delight, we spied some sloe berries. I’ve cleaned them up and put them in the freezer, I can start making sloe gin soon! So not only did I get to meet some great people I also got thrown a great recipe for sloe gin. Good Times, Good Walks.