Bellingham

This was a  change to the earlier idea of walking to Hareshaw Lynn waterfall (that was too short to be a proper walk). John led us on a route through woods and moorland around Bellingham instead.

Marie thinks its that way 

After a bit of road walking we entered the woods...

This looked like a set from the Hobbit films.

That's not a cricket ball - it is a Fly Agaric

Some classy looking sheep...

The weather was definitely autumnal and as often happens it started drizzling as we ate lunch. However, some of us got warmed up when Peter started offering rum and gingerbread biscuits!

Things brightened up toward the end

St Cuthbert's Bellingham is an interesting church. It appears to have a lively parish community It also has a vaulted stone slate roof- the only one in the country I am told (by Marie). 

In the churchyard is the Lang Pack..

This was an 18th century Trojan horse that went wrong.This Northumberland folk tale is described here .

The Black Bull pub was closed so we went to the Rose and Crown and then home to rest and get ready for the annual dinner tonight (report to follow).

Thanks to John for guiding us and  Andrea for driving us as always.