Day 5 - Tuesday 6 October 2020
Wooler to Fenwick (12.3 miles)
Awoke to an overcast day however there was a promise of some sunny spells today and more importantly no rain and so it proved thankfully. Chris picked us up at 0915 and dropped us off in Wooler at the Bus Station. The guide book states "a flat day" was in store for us today however there is plenty of up & down to be had on this leg, in particular the steep ascent out of Wooler up on to Weetwood Moor. At Old Hazelrigg there is a wooden sculpture commemorating St Cuthbert and it was here that we were approached by a couple in a car asking where St Cuthbert's Cave was. We pointed them in the right direction and settled down for some lunch, utilising the wooden seat next to the sculpture.
We had our fair share of cow avoidance today, particularly on the section just after St Cuthbert's Cave - six fields on the bounce were full of them therefore thankfully we were able to skirt around them by going off route slightly. Just after Shiellow Wood we had another incident with cattle, this time a group of them stampeded towards us therefore with no obvious route of escape we scaled a small barbed wire fence. They eventually left us alone and the descent into Fenwick was without incident and subsequently Chris picked us up at 1615 for the journey back to Morebattle.
Tomorrow is our final day and hopefully will be free of interference by cows.
The Church of St Mary in Wooler
It is fair to say that the signage on the entire route was very good
There was a fortified stone tower, built in the early 16th century on Tower Hill in Wooler. Only 3 large blocks of masonary survive, one near the war memorial (see pic below). The tower was first documented in 1509 as part of a chain of defences built to defend against Scottish raids. The remains of the tower are a Scheduled Monument and the site was the location of a wooden fort in the 12th century.
The War Memorial on Tower Hill
Now and then you pass these little gems - gave us a chuckle
Passing Glendale Middle School on our way out of Wooler.
The ornate lions adorning the school gateposts were made by Italian Prisoners of War when the site now occupied by the school was a POW Camp.
The ornate lions adorning the school gateposts were made by Italian Prisoners of War when the site now occupied by the school was a POW Camp.
The delightful grassy transit over Weetwood Moor
From Weetwood Moor the route drops down to Weetwood Bridge.
The bridge dates from the 16th Century and was restored in the 1800s and has recently undergone further major renovation.
The bridge dates from the 16th Century and was restored in the 1800s and has recently undergone further major renovation.
After crossing Weetwood Bridge the route heads up to the farms at West & East Horton
Passing West Horton Farm.
It is thought that the stone from Horton Castle was used to build both the farms here.
It is thought that the stone from Horton Castle was used to build both the farms here.
At East Horton Farm we turned left towards Lowick.
The road from Horton to Lowick follows the course of the almost now disappeared Devil's Causeway - a Roman Road that linked Corbridge with Tweedmouth.
The road from Horton to Lowick follows the course of the almost now disappeared Devil's Causeway - a Roman Road that linked Corbridge with Tweedmouth.
The sculpture of St Cuthbert at Old Hazelrigg, complete with Otter.
The sculpture was carved from a Lime Tree by local sculptor Tom Fiddes of Hetton.
The sculpture was carved from a Lime Tree by local sculptor Tom Fiddes of Hetton.
Fudge and I do our bestest ever St Cuthbert impressions as we wait for Angie to unpack our lunch.
From Old Hazelrigg we now headed over lush green fields towards St Cuthbert's Cave
In addition to the St Cuthbert's Way we were now on The Sandstone Way.
The Sandstone Way is a new 120 mile mountain biking route between Berwick upon Tweed and Hexham along the Sandstone Ridge in North Northumberland linking numerous sandstone features, crags and outcrops.
The Sandstone Way is a new 120 mile mountain biking route between Berwick upon Tweed and Hexham along the Sandstone Ridge in North Northumberland linking numerous sandstone features, crags and outcrops.
Looking back to The Cheviots from near St Cuthbert's Cave
Looking to Hazelrigg Dean & Greensheen Hill.
At the gate post ahead the route turns sharp right to climb towards St Cuthbert's Cave Wood.
At the gate post ahead the route turns sharp right to climb towards St Cuthbert's Cave Wood.
Approaching St Cuthbert's Cave Wood
The path through St Cuthbert's Cave Wood is a delightful walk.
Having been here before a few years ago we knew we were looking out for a path on the right which would lead us to St Cuthbert's Cave.
A blog of our walk from when we approached the cave from Holburn Grange can be found here
Having been here before a few years ago we knew we were looking out for a path on the right which would lead us to St Cuthbert's Cave.
A blog of our walk from when we approached the cave from Holburn Grange can be found here
The path leading to St Cuthbert's Cave which can be seen ahead. It looks like we may have the area to ourselves today.
St Cuthbert's Cave - it really is an amazing sight which, unless you know it is there is completely unexpected.
For the sharp eyed amongst you and are fans of the series "Vera", the episode Tuesday's Child featured St Cuthbert's Cave.
For the sharp eyed amongst you and are fans of the series "Vera", the episode Tuesday's Child featured St Cuthbert's Cave.
St Cuthbert's Cave is basically a huge Sandstone overhang and is the place where the monks rested whilst carrying St Cuthbert's body during their flight from Lindisfarne following repeated viking raids. The cave is certainly worth a visit and sits in a beautiful clearing with many large Sandstone rocks adorning the area. Each time we have been here we have had the place to ourselves which makes it all the more special.
Some of the large Sandstone rocks that adorn the clearing
Looking back down to the access track from the mouth of the cave
Yet another example of human nature's need to spoil everything for everybody else with needless graffiti both on the rocks and inside the cave itself.
Inside St Cuthbert's Cave with Fudge trying hard not to sneeze in case he brings the while lot down on top of us.
Once owned by the Leather family, the area was for a time the family burial place, being consecrated in 1936. Memorials to members of the family can be seen on isolated sandstone outcrops. Some would say that this is graffiti but at leat they owned the land. In 1981 the wood was given to the National Trust, who manage it today.
Looking back to the cave from the path that rejoins The St Cuthbert's Way above the overhang
We gave these cattle a miss and headed way over to the left in order to give them a wide berth
Our first view of journey's end which we will reach tomorrow - Lindisfarne (Holy Island)
Someone is clearly having a ball as we head to Shiellow Wood
Entering Shiellow Wood
The forestry track through Shiellow Wood
Whilst this was a forest track and considered boring by many, it was actually a lovely transit.
Is it time for tea yet?............................
............ ok I'll just trundle along here then.
Continuing on through Shiellow Wood approaching Dolly Gibson's Lonnen
The descent into Fenwick.
This minor road was once the Great North Road until the A1 replaced it in the 19th Century.
This minor road was once the Great North Road until the A1 replaced it in the 19th Century.
Journey's End today in Fenwick.
Fudge is on the lookout for Chris in our transport - trouble is he is looking the wrong way. As can also be seen, I have lost a lot of weight.
Fudge is on the lookout for Chris in our transport - trouble is he is looking the wrong way. As can also be seen, I have lost a lot of weight.
Day 5 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
12.3 miles
59.4 miles
5hrs 40mins
1427ft (435m)
59.4 miles
5hrs 40mins
1427ft (435m)