A beautiful autumn day, bright sunshine, leaves changing colour; the first mile or two along the riverside path, lots of dog walkers and joggers about and we encountered the Salmon Trail sculptures again, but still the Bluetooth connection didn’t work.
The confluence of the North and South Tyne, known as Waters Meet, was a highlight. In looking for the kingfisher we’d been told about, we saw a dipper. Not a bad consolation prize. At the same time, we saw two late swallows and soon after, flitting about near some gardens a goldcrest. A few days later on Autumn Watch, we heard that there had been an influx of them this weekend on Easterly winds.
Then a stretch on the road via the Railway Inn at Fourstones (definitely recommended for food) before climbing towards Haydon Bridge. The fields were really boggy but it was an excellent walk, part of which is designated the John Martin trail. We detoured to the now disused church where the painter was christened (I think). You’d have to know it was there as there is no sign outside.
Near Haydon Bridge too we saw what I expect will be the last canoeists of this trip.
Flora and Fauna: Dipper at Waters Meet where we narrowly missed a kingfisher, according to a luckier dog walker, goldcrest.
Transport: Our car to Hexham; bus from Haydon Bridge to Hexham. Our car home.
