Pennine Way Day 12 - Alston to Greenhead

Crossing the River South Tyne in Alston as we head back to re-join the Pennine Way

Alston's War Memorial as we spot the Pennine Way signpost to our right.

Leaving Alston behind as we head northwards.

Tree lined track as we prepare to cross the A689

The gentle slopes of Wanwood Hill

Crossing Gilderdale Burn

The Roman Epiacum Castle (Whitley Castle - Roman Fort). You could easily walk past this if it wasn't for the information board provided adjacent to the path, but once made aware it is good to observe and make out the various Roman features which now blend in with the landscape.

You can still see the outlines of the forts impressive ramparts just in front of the main building.

First sight of the South Tynedale Railway - We made a decision to join it for a few miles as the two paths run almost parallel to each other - But finding a suitable joining point proved tricky for us.

Approaching Lintley and the point where we did finally join the South Tyne Trail.

After a few hours of excitement waiting to see a train - we gave up and continued our walk.

Approaching the main line station at Slaggyford.

Yew Tree Chapel

Having been plagued with flies in this area, we were struggling to find a suitable place to have lunch without being continuously pestered by those little annoying flies. Ste had unwittingly used a giant leaf to swat them away at one point and a day or two later his burns from the sap (of what we believe is cow parsley) certainly made their presence felt - wasn't his most enjoyable day of walking, and he did suffer for quite a few days afterwards.

On the outskirts of Knaresdale.

Back onto the Pennine Way and the course of a Roman Road after the brief and un-enjoyable spell on the River Tyne Trail. Bit higher elevation which soon got rid of the flies.

Not much use here ?

The constant pace-setting of our very own Viking was beginning to tell as Ste's enthusiasm appeared to be waning.

A few miles back near Kirkhaugh we experienced something that I've never ever encountered before. We were walking through a field of cows and calves, as always ensuring we didn't get between cow and calf - when a mother actually went for us in anger. The charge was short lived but the beast got within 6 inches of Davy as we all sharply dashed to our left and a dry stone wall. As bad luck would have it, the other side of the wall was inhabited by a bull who jumped in fear at the sight of three on-rushing walkers. A bit odd really - an aggressive cow and a wimp of a bull. Anyway, shook up a bit and still puzzled at what had just happened we pressed on - but we all agreed that that event had changed our perception of the potential threat from cows. I'm still trying to comprehend how a cow can instigate an un-provoked attack, but it happened and I'll probably take that into every cow filled field I enter in future. Anyway, these ones were friendly - and on the other side of the wall.

Crossing Glendue Burn.

Wading through the bracken as we head for higher ground.

The sore ankles, the flies, the cow attack and the third degree burns did for Ste, as he decided to head for home at the point where we crossed the road near Lambley. We said our goodbye's and thanked him for sharing all his flora and fauna knowledge with us and for spotting all those rabbits - would we ever see another one without him.

On our own again as we approach High House ruin.

These Bullocks were not going to budge - and after our scare in the morning we decided to give them a wide berth by nipping over the fence and re-joining further up

Not quite as threatening, but still in the way, C'mon you lot out of the way.

Blenkinsopp Common. Bland and boring, but not very wet as June had been the driest on record, so we crossed it at great pace with no problems whatsoever.

The very busy and fast moving A69. Not as bad as the A19 crossing on the coast to coast, but still care has to be taken here.

The end of a very average days walk as we arrive at Greenhead and the very nice Greenhead Hotel.