Wylam and the Spetchells
Starting from the car park in Wylam we walked to the old railway bridge known by various names (Points, Half-moon, Hagg Bank, Bird Cage or Tin bridge according to Wikipedia).
This was a photo I took from the bridge which looks like something from a distant galaxy (can you make out a certain cartoon character?).
Jackson was back after missing a few walks- as handsome as ever if you ask me.
Not your usual garden furniture
Walking toward Prudhoe we passed the 'Spetchells'. Folks got to read an information board and learnt a thing or two.They are chalk mounds which were created as waste from a nearby ICI fertilizer factory. This was to create fertilizer for the 'dig for victory' campaign during WW2. Here is an interesting blog that tells us about the flowers and plants that grow there as well as other local sites. It is the only chalk habitat in Northumberland.
Up some steps to the top of the Spetchells- the origin of the name is unclear from my quick Google search.
The tissue factory - now called Essity!
The view from our picnic spot with the water pumping mill across the Tyne. Worth coming back in the autumn (although technically we are now in Autumn!).
It looks cloudy but it was warm and the sun was starting to appear.
We found this impressive pond on the way back to Hagg Bank. We also passed some fine allotments with huge pumpkins. I should have taken a photo- that is why I am not a professional photographer!
In the car park we met Peter & Olwyn who were heading to the same pub to try some of the 14 real ales on offer!
The next 'official' walk will be on October 27th and will be a re-run of the July Ovingham walk- the autumn colours should be nice. Because that is a while off there will also be an 'unofficial' walk on Monday 24th September (usual time/place at the start). Apologies to those still in gainful employment- we could not fix on a Saturday in late September when most of us would be here.
Comments
Post a Comment