Led by Andy

On the one good day between two wet ones nine members (one guest) we started at 08-30 and descended to cross Lambley Viaduct, once across it we turned South and followed the East side of the South Tyne river.

An hour later we passed through Eals followed by the Bog farm, into more open fellsides with good views which were enhanced by a lot of heather being in bloom on the hills.

We had a short break at the footbridge over Barhaugh Burn( 6.5 miles) followed by an ascent through Barhaugh Park then down the road to Kirkhaugh joining Isaac’s Tea Trail for a very short distance before leaving it for the last ascent and descent through woodland and again meeting Isaac’s Tea trail briefly before  a bit of road and field paths to Alston.

Arrived Alston station just under four hours after starting and walking approx. 10.5 miles,

We had our lunch on the station whilst watching the activities going on for the 13-00 departure of the train to Slaggyford, no one from our group took the train we all walked alongside the railway on the South Tyne Trail, with the train passing us in both directions prior to our arrival at Slaggyford station. This was probably  fortuitous as this meant we could avail ourselves of refreshments from the “Buffet Car” without the crowds, which we did!

Having done 15.5 miles with 4.5 miles to go we continued with the South Tyne Trail, now minus the railway track after briefly meeting the Pennine Way, this section is kinder on the feet a lot more grass and cinder ash as opposed to ballast.

Between Burnstones viaduct and Lambley we saw a vole and shortly after, a slow worm.

On the approach to Lambley Station the route has to descend and go under the viaduct before ascending again as the station is private property and unfortunately no access is allowed.

This done we walked alongside part of the old railway line that went to Lambley Colliery onto Lord Carlisle railway network, this was not a long bit and we soon turned left and into the bottom end of Lambley village which only left the final ascent back to the starting point, .arriving at 16-20.

Statistics, Started 08-30 Finished 16-20 7hrs 50 mins 20 miles and 1,813ft of ascent.