The small car park adjacent to the Spar shop/garage was the meeting point for the above walk led by Barbara, departing at 09-02 the four of us headed up into the main part of Alston passing the market cross and into some back lanes and fields before dropping down to Seven Sisters waterfall and joining Isaac's Tea Trail.

 

We followed this to the A689, but pausing briefly at Lovelady Shield Shaft, this capped shaft 237ft deep was constructed as part of the Nent Force Level which ran from Nenthead to Alston it was 4 1/2 miles long and construction took from 1776 to 1842.

 

Crossing the A689 and leaving the tea trail briefly we passed some interested Llamas (or are they Alpacas) in us. A short break was had nearby and the landowner who introduced himself to us as "not the grim reaper" but he did have a scythe with him!

 

Down to Nentsberry Haggs and the shaft top still part of the Nent Force level this one 360ft deep, leaving this we rejoined the tea trail to Nenthead but not before stopping to view the amazing model village.

 

At Nenthead we were treated to a coffee by the leader, the caffeine was welcome as the next part of the route was up and over passing between Perry's dam and Flinty Fell before leaving the track to cross moorland to Seldom Seen where we had lunch. From this point it was mostly downhill, we crossed the B6277 to Ashgillside then various field paths and lots of stiles to near Garrigill, after joining the road and pausing briefly at Low Houses bridge waterfall more field paths and more stiles followed before joining the Pennine Way at Silly Hall and following it to Alston and finish.

 

Stats, Start 09 02 Finish 16 35 Miles 15.92 Av Speed 2.1 Ascent 1,880ft