Tuesday 29 March 2016

Grid NZ 064 987 to Simonside - Northumberland 27 March 2016

Grid NZ 064 987 to Simonside and Return
Northumberland
Distance 8km
Sunday 27 March 2016


Following my walk in the area earlier in the week I brought Anne along today Easter Sunday, you will see from the photos it was very blowy and started cold. It was going to be a short walk just to get a start for our family walk later in the year.

I left the car in the car park at the foot of The Beacon. First I took Anne north along the part of The St Oswald's Way up to the hill fort to see the famous cup and ring stones.




It was then back down the hill and we followed the path south east towards the Beacon. Passed the junction where the St Oswald's Way turned south west, we continued west and up.

From The Beacon it we walked along the ridge.



Over Dove Crag Cairn and towards Old Stell Crag. The wind was picking up and blowing in flurries of rain.



Today walking passed the cairn I noticed old carvings and graffiti on the rocks. It was only on the rocks in this place and included Crosses. I did not notice any marks on any of the rocks on the ridge.


Rain was starting to fall heavy as we reached Simonside so after a few photos we turned back and walked the way we had come.


On the way back the rain was getting heavy, and stung like hail as we sought shelter amongst the marked rocks which is near the lion head.



After a few minutes the rain cleared and the sun started coming out, still windy mind.


Whether it was the weather or not there were certainly a lot fewer red grouse in the area than there had been earlier in the week. We continued back the way we had come. Walking down from The Beacon it turned warm and we could then hear red grouse. I am sure I also hard a skylark.

It had been good to get out stretch our legs. We had covered approx 8 km with 200 m climb.

More to follow


Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Northumberland or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to previous walk along Simonside Hills.






No comments:

Post a Comment