Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club

Walk & Event Reports

Sunday 5th February 2017

A Walk

Birdoswald to Haltwhistle

9 Miles Grade 2

Leader: Alan Dobson

Report by Peter Flynn

Photos by

Pete Rutland - Peter Flynn - John McKay -Chris McKay

In ancient times this would have been a walk from Banna, a spur of land, (still called that in the 17th Century)  to Hautwesel, a high piece of land accommodating two streams or rivers.  The high piece of land is the one with the ancient church of Holy Cross which is historically very important,  and a description of which we only saw as we were about to get on the bus for the journey home.  Is there a single person in the club who would not have forgone his or her tea and scones to be able to visit such a significant place of worship?  (Please do not answer this question – it would show the club up.)  Apparently,  the name Haltwhistle has nothing at all to do with the existence of two railways,  the lead mining line from Alston area and the main Newcastle to Carlisle route.In pursuit of the intellectual treasures that would accrue from such a trip,  with its numerous Roman remains,  21 of us set off for a really memorable walk.  We were able to welcome Cheryl,  Heather’s sister,  Ian,  the glider pilot,  on his first Sunday walk.  John’s son, Chris, while not on his first walk, actually joined the club today.  Welcome back to Barbara on her first walk for a long time, out with a twisted knee.  For a long way we followed the Roman Wall,  past turrets and mile-castles and the odd fort.  All familiar ground,  but lovely today in comparatively warm winter sunshine.  The last bit of the walk a long delightful descent from the wall following the stream that eventually flows into the South Tyne at Hautwesel or Haltwhistle,  where we met up with  the other two parties. An interesting and varied walk,  many thanks to Alan for planning and leading it.

Peter