As promised, today started out with sunshine and a bit of a breeze - good walking weather. After a light breakfast of muesli, orange juice, poached eggs and toast (me - Dominic didn't have the eggs) we set out for the 10 km walk from Belford to Fenwick. On the way through the village we picked up a few necessaries from The Coop - a sandwich for lunch for instance - and then headed more or less north across farmland. Just after leaving the village we encountered West Hall - a house built in the style of a castle and had even had a (mock) moat at one stage. We had been told about this by a couple we met in the pub yesterday while killing time.
The first part of the route was gently uphill and then more or less along a ridge before descending slightly to Swinhoe Farm - a riding school. This is just on the edge of a forest so the next part of the walk was through forest where pheasants were seen. During this stage I got an unexpected phone call from my cousin Alan who wasn't quite sure where we were. If we had been going to be back in Newcastle by Saturday he had though we might go to a home match of Newcastle United at their grounds right across the road from the hotel we had been staying at. Not to be however so we will see them for dinner on Monday night. While talking to Alan we heard the distinctive sound of a Woodpecker hammering away at a tree in the forest. From the one forest the trail crossed some open farmland again and we were looking for the side track to St Cuthbert's cave but somehow managed to miss it - ho hum!
After that the trail passed a pond which was populated by lots of. Noisy gulls on their nests. Then back into another forest where the path was. Wry boggy underfoot but quite pleasant otherwise. At one stage we passed by a very dark area of forest and I was imagining Mole and Ratty being set upon by the rascally Weasels. No sign of badger to help them out either.
After less than three hours walking we entered the village of Fenwick which is where we sleep tonight. If arriving before 15:30 we were supposed to call and let them know but we knocked on the door of the B & B on arriving and the Mavis let us into our room, although our bags had not arrived yet.
Our rom is very pleasant and overlooks the sea. Holy Island can be seen from one window. Our route out tomorrow takes us past the causeway over to the island.
Tonight our hosts will, apparently, drop us at a nearby pub where we can get some nosh. There is nothing in Fenwick - not even a corner shop?
