St Cuthbert Way Day 6, April 21, Friday
Start Kirk Yetholm, The Farmhouse b&b
Stop Wooler, Rockcliffe B&B
Miles walked: 15.7
Gorse and some scotch broom highlight the lane as we walk out of Kirk Yetholm.
We pass by several peaks with ancient remains of hill forts all through the day as we climb in the Cheviot Range.
We bid farewell to Scotland and cross the border to England.
England has less permissive laws regarding walking on privately owned land, so trail markers designate “public footpaths”.
We enter a very dark woods, much darker than shown on camera, with trees planted in straight rows.
We take a short side-trail to Hethpool Linn (Waterfall), and are a little puzzled such a small falls would be mentioned on the map. It made a good spot for lunch, though.
As we go further into England the prevailing breed of sheep changes to having small horns and black faces.
The tops of hills are covered heather, a low perennial shrub.
Heather makes the heath– or the moor. This is heather moorland, though I might be mistaken on terminology.
The sides of hills are a crazy quilt patch-work, with polygons of three colors; heather, recently burned heather, and old burned heather. Perhaps this is for plant and wildlife management.
Here is a closer view of the patch-work.
Many grouse fly and call out in the heath.
Just before climbing down to town from the heights, we look out and try to seethe ocean, but clouds might be blocking the view.
The square stone wall seems to be a hunting blind, likely for grouse.
Wooler comes into view as we hike further down.
About a mile from town a steady rain comes down. We are pretty wet as we get to our room, but a hot shower does wonders.
Our planned restaurant had too long a wait-time, so we found a food take-away shop of the sort mentioned in British television shows we watch, and get a kabob to find out what it really is.