A quiet afternoon just chatting while enjoying tea and cakes.
"Ahh bliss", said Allen, taking a mouthful of tea, before spreading butter jam and cream on a sultana scone.
"Thank you for giving Little Eric and I a day off from baking, Southey. The scones are quite delicious. You are quite the ace scone maker", said Grizzly
"Such a selection too", added Little Eric. "Cheese, cherry and ginger and sultana. You are spoiling us."
"You're welcome, pals. I never take it for granted all the baking you do. So it is nice to return the favour once in a while."
Shaun was about to take another scone, when he paused, saying, "where's Tetley?
"I saw him talking to Dad and looking at a booklet. I guess we will find out soon, as he is not one to miss tea and cakes, and scones are a favourite of his", replied Grizzly.
Presently Tetley arrived with and excited look on his face. "I have good news."
"Well, first here's your tea", said Shaun. "And you must have some of Southey's scones. They are absolutely delicious."
He tucked in. "Mmm, they are scrumptious pal. Thank you. Now the news. As we know Dad is going to Northumberland next week, and we are going as part of the holiday hug. He had found a book of walks published a while ago from different pubs/hotels in the Till Valley, one being from the Percy Arms in Chatton where Dad and Uncle Brian stayed many many times over the years. He is determined to do this walk with us."
"Yippee", cheered Allen. "It will be a completely new area for walking."
Southey commented, "there is going to be a large contingent of the Hug. For sure the Railway Bears will be going as well as Fred and Gladly, and other pals that came from Northumberland."
"Yes far in excess of the 8 that Uncle Brian used to restrict Dad too, when they went to Armathwaite Hall", laughed Shaun.
We were up and ready having had breakfast room service organised by Dunstan.
"Happy birthday Tetley", called out Allen, giving his pal a hug.
There was a chorus of 'Happy Birthday from the rest of us.
"Thank you", replied Tetley. "26 today. "What a life I have had, with all the wonderful adventures over the years. Very fortunate to come and live with Dad."
"As are we all", said Gladly.
"Yes indeed pal. "Had it not been for you being adopted by Dad and starting off the Hug, the rest of us may never had been adopted", replied Bramble.
So ready for the off we called goodbye to our pals who were staying in the room today, and dashed out to the car. It was not far up the A1 to the turning for Chatton, and soon we were crossing the River Till and into the village parking opposite the Percy Arms.
"Ahh", sighed Dad. "So many happy memories of the many holidays there with Brian. He loved Northumberland, and I know he felt at home here. We were always made so welcome by Pam and Kenny and also Colin and Julie. It will be so good to see them during the holiday. I hope that they are not away."
Dad made to get ready, but our departure was to be delayed. Margaret who worked at the Percy Arms, was walking back from the shop having got here paper. She saw Dad and said, "it's nice to see you. How are you? Come and have a cup of tea and we can have a chat."
"That will be lovely. I am fine thank you", replied Dad.
It was an enjoyable time and he met her husband Gordon too.
Returning Dad was soon ready and we got settled quickly in the rucksack. "We should return along the road and cross the river", instructed Shaun.
Progress was slow, as Little Eric called out, "there's the postbox. A picture please for my collection."
"There's the war memorial", pointed Tetley. "It is very well kept."
"While I was with Margaret, she was knitting poppies to adorn the memorial."
Striding determinedly out of the village, Dad's progress was once again halted as Southey pointed, "those wildflowers are colourful."
Crossing Chatton Bridge over the River Till, we shortly reached a sharp bend in the road. "We want that lane branching half right", advised Shaun.
On and on we strolled, to eventually reach a fork just before the buildings of Shielhope.
"It's right through those two large metal gates", said Southey. "Then left along the track."
"But that sign reads private", pointed Little Eric.
"Well, nevertheless it is the route", replied Shaun, confirming Southey's instruction.
Dad quickly climbed over, to shortly be faced with a further divide by some sheep pens. "Take the right hand route", said Southey."
The track climbed and eventually was waymarked right at sharp corner. "I don't think we should follow the waymark, it will take us in the wrong direction", stated Allen.
"You are correct pal", agreed Shaun. "We go straight ahead along the grassy track."
Reading from the book, Grizzly said, "this will take us past the scant remains of Coalhouses. It was once a farm, and is listed in the Farm Index of 1860. "
Onwards the path led down to Coalhouses Burn that Dad crossed with ease.
Then through at gate and through tall bracken to a cross path.
"Shades of Newton Fell, where the bracken was over your head", laughed Tetley.
"I remember it well. The waymarks were of a height suitable for bears, so totally useless in the summer."
The clear path led us left below Ramsey Crag, and coming to a wide cross track.
Left", called out Shaun, "towards that large circular sheepfold."
"It must surely be the largest we have ever seen", stated Grizzly.
"I wonder if it's still used?", mused Little Eric.
The path led towards the wood to a waymarked gate onto a cross track.
"Huh", pointed Allen. "It's sods law. The nettles are growing right by the gate opener."
"Well, I am definitely not risking getting stung", said Dad as he nimbly climbed the gate.
Following the waymark we walked ahead by the wood and then with Hay Hill rising to the left.
Tetley was looking at the instructions. "we have to find the sleeper bridge across Hayhill Burn."
Suddenly the path was very indistinct and overgrown and we looked about in vain for the bridge. Dad went carefully and found the burn lost in the undergrowth. Seeing it was very narrow he easily strode over and then uphill on a clearer path to the B6348.
Southey called out, "it is left then at the junction right on the Belford Road."
This climbed steadily and we had a fine view to the Cheviot Hills. "That must be the Cheviot itself, the highest point in the range", called out Grizzly.
"At the top of the hill by the bend our route is left", said Shaun.
"There's the signpost", pointed Little Eric.
"Yes that's the way along the track. We are indeed heading to South Lyham", agreed Southey.
As advised in the instructions, at end of track we headed downhill in large pasture towards the bottom left corner.
"That must South Lyham in the distance", pointed Allen.
"What are those small hillocks?", pointed Little Eric.
"Spoil heaps from long gone coal mines", replied Tetley, reading from the instructions.
That group of sheep will make a nice picture", said Southey.
"Huh", grumped Allen. "I somehow knew I could not get a sheep picture free story."
At the foot of the field, Shaun read the next instruction, "here we join a track amongst trees."
We looked about, Grizzly saying "I don't see a track. Just that narrow path there. It does lead in the direction we want. Perhaps that is the route?"
This was followed passing a small footbridge to the right. Shortly the path disappeared and we ended up boxed into a corner of fences.
"Oh heck", said Little Eric, "what now."
"There is no doubt we need to be on the other side of that fence to the left", stated Dad. Looking over he went on, "there is a strand of barbed wire attached to the far side of the top rail, but if I'm careful it will not present a problem."
Then clearing the rough ground in front and going right we came to Cow Ford. "We are back on route now", confirmed Shaun.
So striding up hill with South Lyham in front...
... we reached a gate with this signpost.
Shaun said, "where ever the route was from the bottom of that field, we are without a doubt exactly where we need to be."
Along the lane, Little Eric said, "those are pretty flowers."
We passed South Lyham farmhouse...
...and followed the access to the road at Old Lyham. "Go left downhill past the cottages", advised Southey.
"That's a good use of that old sink full of pretty flowers.", pointed Grizzly. "They are Dianthus."
Ahead was this magnificent tree.
"Wow", cried Allen. "Just look at the size of the trunk. It could be over 200 years old."
"There is a Byway to the left that we take", said Shaun.
Clear and easy to walk, but after a dogleg it became overgrown leading to a bridge over Lyham Burn.
"Just beyond the bridge there is a ladderstile on the right. That's our route now", instructed Shaun.
A hurdle to the left got us into the pasture, and we followed the fence to come by the River Till and on to a gate. Through this we then kept by the hedge on left, until it turned away left, where it was straight on to cross small stream to another gate. crowded with nettles.
"It's as well you are in long trousers today", said Tetley.
"Quite lad."
"Now head across in the direction of the cricket pavilion", pointed Shaun.
Then up the steps onto the road by Chatton Bridge, over the River Till...
... and so into.
"There's a seat for us to sit on for our picture to round off the adventure", pointed Little Eric.
"What a super walk", said Tetley.
"Yes pal", agreed Grizzly. "Our first in Northumberland."
"Let's hope we get to do another when Dad comes here next year", added Allen.
Now we rested in the car while Dad with Dunstan, Cheviot and Archie went to visit Auntie Pam. She was pleased to see Dad and Dunstan of course. Clare was there and Steve came in later. Dad spent quite a time there catching up and reminiscing about times past. Then it was time for dinner. He had a nice meal at the Tankerville Arms in Wooler, where Cheviot had been adopted. He and his pal Archie went in and were noticed by the staff. It was about 20:30 when we finally got back to Doxford Hall. A very full day and we can say that we all slept very well.
