Across the moors to Lancaster

Sunday 12.06.11

Sunday turned out to be quite a nice morning, I had been to Morrisons to fill up (my car runs on LPG and Morrisons has the best network in the UK), I had also popped in to get a few odds and ends for a picnic that we planned to have when crossing the South Northumberland moors and the Pennines. We said our goodbyes to my dear Sis, just as Joan her next door neighbour came out and said she had heard that I was interested in her pet rabbit in the garden, I said it was too late now as I was going to exchange it for a pound of mince, but was now leaving but just to give it to our Marg and she would put a nice pie crust on it for the next time I visited. I will not tell you her reply.



A little sparra, singing its goodbyes  from the bush at the bottom of my sisters garden

We headed West and onto the A1 before turning onto the A69, this is the first real visible sign (there are others but mostly hidden from view) that you are able to get of the remnants of the wall, this is set a little back from the road where the pedestrian over pass crosses the road, it is not a long stretch (so don’t blink). On a dark night you can see the lights of the West road and West gate road as it climbs into Newcastle like many roman roads it goes straight as a die


There are a lot of piles of stone and rubble at various positions along the road, some the remains of turrets, mile castles and the temple. But today we didn’t stop to do the wall, we headed out on the A69, the actual roman or military road is the B6528 and then the B6318. We turned off the A69 and took the A686 in the direction of Langley Castle and Alston a little past the castle we turned right onto the B6295, this is a smashing road that winds and dips through some of the most fantastic walking country it passes through Catton, Allendale town (read the hidden places of Britain by Lesley Thomas) and then you are up into the high moors and on the road to Allenheads.

We would have stopped off at one of my favourite pubs, the Hare and Hound in Allendale for lunch but as we had packed our picnic we carried on until we reached the end of Northumberland and the start of Durham. I was here last year and knew that there was a Black Cock lec and nesting area right beside the road, though we could hear the rusty cough of the male we only caught a brief glimpse of a couple of  females with chicks.

a couple of Blackcocks in flight

. It was windy but nice, I love this place it is real raw beauty at its best.



parked at the car park where Northumberland ends




It was blowing quite a bit outside so we sat in the car and had our picnic


After lunch we took the road onward until it meets the tight corner onto the A 689 I turned along here as Linda had never seen the Killhope wheel situated at the lead mining museum, this was one of the last lead mining areas in the UK and Lead had been mined here since the bronze age and in all probability before.

The mighty Killhopw wheel

Retracing the route back to the branch in the road we continued down into Weardale and St Johns Chapel then right onto an unnamed road followed this road to Langdon Beck and into Teesdale.



A solitary lapwing

The sticks mark the place that the Blackcocks had their nests

We passed High Force water fall and headed into Middleton and then took the Brough road B6276, from there it was Kirby Stephen, Sedbergh, Kirby Lonsdale and Into Lancaster.

We only stopped the one night but we did manage a Midday breakfast in one of the nice little cafes in Lancaster town centre.



Tony and I by our Midday breakfast



A rainy miners picnic

Saturday 11.06.11

Another grey sky full of leaden clouds hung over South-East Northumberland and this was the day of the miners picnic at Woodhorn. It is one of those occassions that is indelibly imprinted in my mind for ever, I remember when the Backworth Colliery’s (there where 2 the Maud and the Eccles pits) Band marched home from the railway station, banners flying

No one marches behind these4 silent banners anymore

and the band playing wonderful march music as they took the first place cup to the Labour Hall. Us kids fell in behind and marched with our dads (many the worse for wear). It was a great occasion and I do believe the local MP(labour of course) made a speech and everyone was cock-a-hoop. The kids where then sent home and the grown ups went to the local workingmen’s clubs to have an evening of more getting the worse for ware.



They had even dug Wor Jackie out for the day (Jackie Milburn being "The Toons" most famous son and had started life as a miner in Ashington Colliery)



In later years I did attend a couple of the picnics, these took place at Bedlington and I must say I did have a good day out. Alas today’s affair is a poor reflection of those heady days when the mines where in full production, though I do believe that the organisers should be given a medal for the effort. There were a few stalls and some tented areas (they needed it). I had decided to have a look around and then go to the research centre to a bit more family delving. I took Linda so that she could be my goffer, as it is always tedious getting to a record and then it sends you into another direction that needs some more information. But I think she got bored looking for Smiths and said she was going to watch the sword and clog dancers. At about 14:00 I packed up my things and went down to have a spot of lunch with Linda. They have a very nice but very badly organised, no I should say disorganised cafeteria. It is funny how well meaning volunteers can cause bedlam when not supervised, I have never seen such a chaotic set up in my life as this. Each of the behind counter staff (in the main teenagers) took an order and then went away to heat or prepare it, then came back to take the money at the till. The cue of disgruntled customers just got longer and longer.

A couple of sandwiches later we went out and had a final look around, I had a chat with one chap from the wildlife tent, he had noticed I was interested in certain areas and asked if I was interested in wild life, I said “oh! yes very” he then enquired what in particular I said “shooting them”. I think I heard him splutter a little.

I then explained to him that without us the hunters, there would be very little or no wild mammals and birds in the country side, as it is we that make sure that there is a healthy breeding population for next years game. Now let me say here and now, I only shoot for the pot, either mine or for friends, I believe it wrong to harry and chase animals, either on horse back or on foot with or without the aid of other animals (ferreting being the only exception). I pride myself with being a good shot and will never take a shot that will be unlikely to have a clean kill. I am able to say 100% how it was killed and butchered and where my meat came from. I don’t think many that shop for their meat in a supermarket can make that claim. The wild animal has lived a good life and eaten when and what it wishes. It is shot with a high powered rifle and death is instantaneous. The pleasure is the clean shot, not the killing.
If I want sport or to keep my eye in during the closed season then I go to the clay pigeon club and shoot at clay discs.
It is the same with fishing I refuse to take part in course angling as I want to eat (and do) my catch.
So Nuff said.

Linda had been out to take  a few photos of the clog dancers

I suppose I left that museum with a bit of a heavy heart, with  memories of a by gone industry, it, like all of the heavy industries is gone from the NE, never to return, on reflection it may have been a blessing in disguise, No more reliance on coal and all its dangers. But some how sad never the less.






No more coal for this tub







This forced draught fan has sent its last breath of air down then shaft to the toiling miners.



But the stinking pit pond no longer full of slurry pumped from "doon by" but a new life for nature, a rebirth!









As I left this palce of memories I cast a glance upwards at the statue of a pitman, proud, erect in memory of all those that gave their lives so that the likes of Maggie Thatcher could become Politicians and kick them in the balls.



But we shall not forget them

A day trip to Pink Pantherland

Friday 10.06.11


This was the day that we had arranged to meet Annie for lunch in Durham, I was also going to pop in and visit an old mate of mine, we grew up in the same street, where in the scouts, youth clubs, Church Alter Servers and sang (not very well) at folk clubs together. I got to what I thought was his house rang, no answer, so put a card through the letter box saying I will return later. (We shall leave this little story until later).

We then headed across the A1 and directly into Durham, parking at the nice new Milburngate shopping centre that overlooks the river. It had just started to rain, oh well never mind. We had a look around the old city centre, went to the covered market, found the proximity of the Fat Buddha and strolled up towards the Cathedral to fill in a little time until lunch.

The view from the new Milburn shopping centre

The Hospital on the Cathedral square



Being attacked by a  622squadron Gull

We then went back to the Fat Buddha, to meet up with Annie. The restaurant is vary imposing and spacious when once through the doors (it doesn’t look a lot from outside). Annie was waiting at the reception for us, so after the introductions we where shown up (it is on two levels) to our seats. The décor is very pleasing to the eyes and not at all your normal plastic dragon, red velvet kitch.


Linda ordered mineral water, Annie tap water and I, a pot of green tea.

Starters for Linda

crispy wan tans

Starters for Dick


deep fried chicken with spring onions


Mains for Annie


A Prawn dish and rice


Main for Linda


I shall have to ask het but it seems to have prawns and meat in it!


Main for Dick


Phad Thai noodles with beef


The meal was very tasty, sufficient and the service very friendly and prompt. The toilets are well worth a visit, you walk down a hanging chain lined green glowing glass floor towards a mirror door that makes it look as if it goes on for ever. The toilets are very clean and fresh smelling and everything works. This is not always the case.

We finished our meals and by mutual consent decided to go to the Cathedral, it is many, many years since I last visited these hallowed walls.



no chance of you getting sanctuary my dear


I had forgotten how beautiful it is.

I know you are not supposed to take photographs in it, but I did, I did have a verger chasing after me but it was not until I had finished taking the Venerable Bedes tomb that he breathlessly informed me that it was not allowed but I didn’t have to delete them.



the magnificent rose window





and some of the  other stained glass





The cloisters



The girls had gone on there way and by the time I came out they where sitting chatting. We then went to the castle and took a couple of shots of the entrance gate, gate house and keep buildings.

Annie and Linda

Annie and Dick

Nobody and the gate



The great Norman keep



Linda and I then decided on a walk along the river to the wear (to take a few shots of the most famous photographed spot in Durham. It was nice and the students even took the eights out onto the water, just for us?


A stork fishing on the wear




One of the most famous shots of Durham cathedral


We then walked up into the town had a cup of coffee and then headed back to my mates house, pulled up in front of the house, rang the door bell, waited and heard a movement. I thought, in luck! A face appeared and it certainly was not my mate. I apologised and asked had he moved, he said that he had lived there about 8 years and no one of my mates name had lived their in all that time, I said sorry and went back to my car looked in my address book and low and behold I was 2 houses out. So we went along the road rang on the door bell and there was a face that was familiar, Janet my mates wife. So when I told then what had happened they said well that’s funny because his wife is the Doctors receptionist that deals with Colin. Poor bloke must have had an off day as well!



But we had a very nice reminisce and a chat about old times.