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Day 47 Langdon Beck to Alston ( Our 12th county - Cumbria)

 

After a disturbed night with Alfie's tummy thinking it needed to eat grass from 4am, we all set off from Cow Green reservoir. We walked, keeping the reservoir on our left, with the views of Great Dun Fell (with its radar station), Little Dun Fell and Cross Fell (the highest point in the Pennines) behind the reservoir.


Once we passed the end of the reservoir, there were some disused mines. Garry passed some disused shafts further along.

Me and Alfie headed back after 2.5 miles whilst Garry continued on the pathway until he reached the road. I actually drove past him as I returned to Alston. It felt wrong not offering him a lift! Garry continued walking on the road for a while as the pathway was unclear and looked like it could possibly go into the depths of the valley. The sign indicated it wasn't suitable for vehicles or pedestrians.


After walking on the road for about three miles, Garry took a left down to the South Tyne Trail. The trail, although it was pretty, was hard going with many many stiles to negotiate. Garry stopped just outside Garrigill for lunch, on a handily placed bench.

  

The way was rerouted due to a closed bridge further down the river. Not a sign that he wanted to see! 

This added an additional mile or two to the walk. Garry saw wildlife in this section, butterflies, rabbits and birds plus some human engineered features. 

The trail then came out on the south side of Alston, where Garry returned to the Airbnb for a welcome cup of tea.

14.5 miles walked today (but the horrible Pennine Way section via Dufton was avoided!)



Due to saving some time, it's likely to be a short one tomorrow, from Alston to somewhere towards Haltwhistle before a rest day on Friday. 

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