Copper Snout and Clennell Street.

So me and Peter have got a long weekend arranged, and then, when we look at the weather forecast, it’s raining! And it’s not only raining in Richmond, it’s gonna rain right across the UK, and it will last all weekend. 

I looked more carefully. Nope. The Lake District was in for a bad couple of days, so was the Peak District, and the Dales, Wales, the Moors............ Nowhere looked inviting, except maybe the North East. And so that was it decided, the area around Rothbury and Alnwick was due to have a dry(ish) three days, so that’s where we were going.

Peter found a caravan park which had a space for us at Clennell Hall, Alwinton, right on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, and so Saturday morning saw us driving north on the A1 to Alnwinton to follow a walk route detailed on the Northumberland National Park Website - Northumberland National Park Leaflets and Guides

Our walk took us from Alwinton, up Copper Snout, past Saughy Hill and back along Clennell Street, (brilliant names), which is apparently and ancient drove road.  Here are the pictures:

Looking back after starting up Pass Peth, heading towards The Knocks.

It was very cold and windy to start, we were all wrapped up, against the few, but very cold showers on the as we walked.  The showers turned to rain, and we had to don our waterproof jackets.

Law Knowe is the lump in the middle, and the stream is called Wholehope Burn.  But it might be called Flushey Sike........   There is only so much you can tell from an OS Map

We came across notices about the Otterburn Military Range.  They warned that we might come across soldiers training, but not to worry because they would be firing blanks?

We made our way from up Saugh Rigg to Copper Snout.  The views of the surrounding hills were quite wonderful.  I've know idea which one is which though, if they have names at all.

I liked the grassy landscape, sort of bleak, broken up by the rolls and curves of the hills around us, but not by walls.  There are very few of the stone walls that we are used out here. 

At the top of Copper Snout, we turned towards the managed pine forest covering Peat Law.  Only, as you can see from the devastation in the picture above, there isn't a lot of the forest left in this area.  I don't like these areas of force grown pine woodland.  I think they are characterless, but sadly they are very necessary to meet the demands of our throwaway society.  The scar left behind when they are cut down is ugly, so I suppose it is a good thing is that new trees have already been planted, and that they'll grow quickly to provide shelter to walkers from nithering winds or burning sun.

We are now on Clennell Street, heading back to Alnwinton

It was a lovely peaceful walk, we didn't see another person apart from a farmer putting up a fence up on one of the hills we passed.

Lords Seat on the right, looking quite impressive from where we were walking. 

But we saw hares and heard skylarks.  It had turned into a really beautiful day, despite the bitterly cold wind. And of course there were plenty of sheep to keep us company.

This'll be mens club I think.  I really like those long curly horns.

And then, before you know it, we were back at Alnwinton, feeling very satisfied with our 8 mile walk.  The map and route guide for it is here: Copper Snout and Clennell Street

The end of the day was spent with a meal in the campervan and a quiet drink over at Clennell Hall. A very pleasant end to a lovely day.  Tomorrow it's Cragside...........  Class!