Preamble
"Wow", exclaimed Fred. "You've had a really long day. We began to get worried as it is so late."
"You're right", agreed Tetley. "The walk was excellent though lovely countryside and we had some super views of the Cheviots at "times."
"Any problems?" asked Ally.
"Not really", replied Allen. "There was just one bit where the instructions did not make sense, but bearing in mind the walks were published many years ago, things might have changed. Anyway, as always Dad and Shaun soon got us on track again."
"Of course we got to see Auntie Pam, Auntie Clare and Uncle Steve", said Dunstan, and Archie and Cheviot came in with me. So good to see them all and they made a fuss. Dad was there quite a few hours chatting and catching up on events over the last two years. It was as well he went today as Auntie Pam is off to Newcastle tomorrow with a friend."
Grizzly then said, "so who's going out tomorrow and have you got any plans?"
"Saturday is reserved for the Railway Club on the Aln Valley Railway, so Ally, Bramble Fred and I are having the day out tomorrow", replied Gladly.
"I know we have done it before a few times, but we want to go on the Heatherslaw Railway and visit Etal", said Fred. "We think of it as our railway, remembering long ago when we were allowed to sit on the engine and have our picture taken.
Cheviot had the iPad in paw. "What are you looking at?", asked Bramble.
"The map of the area around Etal. Just a few miles north is the village of Duddo. Uncle Steve told Dad about the Duddo Stone Circle. It has been there for about 4000 years. I was thinking that you might want to visit as you are in the area. Dad said that he has never been there."
"Sounds interesting", said Fred. "Just hope it is not a long walk. I am not as adventurous as STAG."
"Well we will just have to see how the day develops", said Ally. "Let's get a good night's sleep."
"Oh yes", agreed Grizzly, "it has certainly been a long day."
Our Day
We awoke to see that it was to be a windy day.
I'm not getting up too early in view of the long day yesterday", said Dad.
"That's ok said Fred", sleepily.
After a little while Dad got ready and went off for breakfast, ours being supplied by room service thanks to Dunstan. He then typed up the diary, during which there was a knock at the door.
The lady from housekeeping said, "is this your do not disturb sign. It has blown off."
"Oh yes", said Dad. He then said, "would you like to meet the bears."
"Please". They thought we were all lovely.
Shortly Dad was ready so we trotted out to the car and off we went.
"Which way are you going?". asked Bramble.
"Up the A1 and then through Chatton to Wooler", replied Dad.
There Fred said, "we head north through Millfield."
As we drove through there passing the Red Lion, Gladly said, "you and Uncle Brian went there a few times. There was a parrot called Popeye, that talked."
"Yes", laughed Dad. "one of this tricks was to mimic the telephone, then answer by saying, 'hello'.
Soon we came to the right turn signed to Ford and Etal, and at the t-junction, it was left to shortly reach Heatherslaw.
Dad got his ticket, the gentleman confirming that we could ride for free.
On the platform, Ally said, "let's sit on that seat while we wait for the train to arrive.
l-r Bramble, Fred, Gladly & Ally
"Here it comes" called out Fred. "There is and incline into the station so the little engine is working hard."
We found and empty compartment and settled for the journey.
The guard came to check Dad's ticket and ensure the compartment was locked. He liked us, and said, "hope you and the bears have a nice trip."
So about on time at 12:00 we set off and gently we rattled along hauled by steam loco Bunty, through the lovely countryside.
The track runs for most of the way near to the River Till, with open countryside to the right. "Look", pointed Gladly, "we are getting near the end as that is Etal Castle we can we through the trees."
As we pulled in at Etal we noted this structure.
Asking, the guard told us, "it was built last year. Serves as a waiting shelter and Santa's grotto."
Alighting we watched as Bunty was turned ready to run round for the return trip.
Trotting up the slope we came to the ruins of Etal Castle.
Fred read from the information board. "Etal was an important medieval stronghold on the border between England and Scotland, It was the home of the Manners family from the mid 12th century to 1547. The castle provided greater protection against raiding by the Scots, and was also a response to the Manners' intense rivalry with the Heron family at nearby Ford Castle. Between 1341 and 1368 the tower house was heightened during the building of a walled castle." Then pointing Fred went on "the different colour of the upper third of the tower's stonework reveals the later work. When complete the castle consisted of the gatehouse, the north-east and south-west towers, and the curtain wall forming a large rectangular area." Pointing again, Fred went on, "that is a fragment of the east curtain wall jutting out from the base of the tower house."
"Thank you pal for the history lesson", said Ally, as we walked over to have a closer look, and then pose sitting on the remains of the east curtain wall.
We were noticed by a couple, so Dad explained.
We then looked over to the substantial remains of the gatehouse and the south curtain wall.
Gladly did the honours now reading from the information board. "The gatehouse was the most important building after the tower house. A castle's entrance was its weakest point so the building protecting it had to be strong and well guarded. Two fortified towers flanked a portcullis and double doors, behind which was a vaulted passage containing two guard chambers."
"On the front of the gatehouse, above the outer arch, is a stone shield showing the coat of arms of the Manners family. There are also holes for the drawbridge mechanism. The spacious first-floor chamber, lit by three large traceried windows, may have been used as a chapel."
"That must be the remains of the south-west tower", pointed Ally.
"There's a doorway. Let's have a look inside", suggested Fred. It was extremely dark, hence the photo is slightly blurred.
Leaving the castle, we noticed a lane running left. Gladly said, "I reckon that leads down to the River Till. We've not explored that before."
Passing this lovely house...
..and on to pass the stone building. "The Madcap Gallery", called out Bramble. "I love the sign."
It was closed. Fred laughed. "Look at the sign regarding opening times."
Shortly we reached the bank of the river, where there is a ford. "Not sure I would want to try and take the car across there", stated Dad.
That's a lovely scene looking downstream", pointed Ally.
Strolling back, Gladly pointed, "what a stunning sign on that building."
"Makes me think of the ospreys that nest above Bassenthwaite Lake in the Lake District", remarked Dad.
Walking back and then along the village with its beautiful houses...
...and this looking from the Village Hall towards the Black Bull public house.
"I'm a bit hungry", said Dad. Looking across the road he went on, "I'm going for a snack at Lavender Tea Rooms."
"OK said Gladly, "we have got a picnic, so we'll sit on the grass to have it and wait for you."
Dad told us after, "I had a lovely cheese and tomato sandwiches with salad and crisps. Piece of chocolate caramel shortbread and pot of tea in a very colourful teapot. Very nice too. It is also the Post Office, so I took this for Little Eric's collection. Interestingly it does not have the name of a particular monarch just a crown."
"Before we head back for the train, will you take our picture sitting on that seat", pointed Bramble.
We were seen by a lady and gentleman, so Dad introduced us and he explained about his collecting and the website, which they may look up. The lady also took our picture. We are never camera shy!
Hurried now down to the station to get the 13:30 service back to Heatherslaw.
As we were getting off we heard a gentleman with his wife who were boarding encouraging his lovely dog Fred to get on.
"He has the same name", said Fred. So Dad told them. They were amused at the coincidence.
"That was a super time again", said Gladly. "Thank you Dad"
"You're welcome I have enjoyed it too."
"Are we going to see if we can find the stone circle then, Dad", said Gladly.
"Yes lads. It is left out of the car park and follow the road to Duddo. Not having the map, I am not sure of the route, so we need to keep our eyes peeled."
Entering the village, Fred suddenly called out, "there's sign for the stone circle pointing left along the side road."
"Now what?", asked Ally.
"Here I think at this soil layby, by that gate", replied Dad.
"Yes", cheered Bramble, "there's a sign indicating it is the path to the circle."
A wide straight path led between crop fields, being a permissive path created by the farmer. "There is the circle on the skyline", called out Fred.
"Four stones as indicated on the OS map we looked at last night", said Ally.
However as we reached them, Gladly said, "there's five."
Bramble said, "I looked it up on the Internet. The stones were known as the Four Stones, until 1903, when the fifth stone was re-erected to improve the skyline. There were originally seven stones, the empty sockets of two stones being found on the western sided during excavation in the 1890s. The stones are of a soft sandstone and as we can see they have become deeply fissured by natural weathering since erection in the Early Bronze Age approximately 4000 years ago."
"One has to wonder what went on here all those years ago", mused Fred. "A meeting place for trade?
"A place for religious celebrations?", went on Bramble.
"The siting has a terrific panoramic view" said Gladly as we looked around. "There to the Cheviots...
...and into Scotland those peaks being Eildon Hill."
"Come on pals", urged Ally. "We must have a picture by one to prove we have been here."
"We should have a picture of each stone, to include in the story of our adventure", said Fred.
So, here they are. Note as Bramble had alluded to how deeply fissured they are.
Walking back, Gladly said, "that was so interesting. I'm so pleased we found our way to the stones."
"Yes", agreed Ally, "Can't wait to tell our pals all about it."
As Dad drove off, Bramble called out, "there's the post box. Take a picture for Little Eric's collection. Like the one at Etal there is no emblem for a monarch, just a crown."
Doing this engaged Dad in conversation with the lady at house where it stands. She was engaged in lots of work in her lovely garden to replace the grass with gravel. Lots of colourful flowers that have self-seeded and spread. It came out that she is originally from Lancashire. She told Dad that as child the school would take them to Morecambe on the last day of term. She knows the Bridgewater Hall and the Royal Exchange and Southport. Small world. She is looking forward to her granddaughter coming to stay during the school holidays. They have a great time and her granddaughter does not want to go home.
So back to Doxford Hall to rest.
"We have had a super day", said Fred. "While Dad is having his dinner we will tell out all about it."
"Can't wait", replied Summer enthusiastically.
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