John's Pennine Way Adventure

Day 7 Sunday Alston to Dufton weather wise was bad on higher ground so between wind, mist and rain it was the worst  day so far. 

John left a Alston at 9.00am with  intermittent rain arriving in Dufton at 6.30pm.. 23 miles walked . In the meantime I take the 

narrow gauge train from Alston to Slaggyford and walked back the  five miles to Alston,  along a railway path which followed  the line. On way to Dufton I  have a quick peak at Acorn Bank NT . Its been a long day for John definitely  the brick wall day... 

 Day 8 Monday  Dufton to Forest in Teesdale  15 miles... a better day weather wise and the drive over to Teesdale is stunning and remote. I return to Acorn Bank for a long exploration of the woodlands.... and a mill which grinds its own flour.....  lots of moorland terrain with poor visibility.

Day 9 Tuesday  Forest in Teesdale to  Bowes. The day started off very very misty... poor visibility but it cleared to be a better day.  Bowes is near Barnard Castle.... the home to great opticians and the magnificent  Bowes Museum. The museum is housed in a French  style chateau... and  is home to the  250 year old Silver Swan which is an automaton.

To date John has walked  161 miles.

That's it for now.. Two more days and John will have reached Horton-in Ribblesdale ... end of the journey. 

Day 5 Friday 

After breakfast drop John off at Steel Rigg on Hadrians Wall to walk to  Lambely estimated  14 miles infact it was 18 miles. Day started off miserable,  sunny afternoon. Picked him up on at a car park Coanwood on the South Tyne  Railway path. Return to Barden Mill 

Day 6 Saturday 

We head to  Coanwood... I walk with him to  Lambely  Viaduct which towers over the SouthTyne River...I then  head over to Alston where we meet up again. Alston is the highest town in England.... very steep roads and amazing views. It does not disappoint. We attend Mass at a Church  which doubles as a Methodist  Church on a Sunday.  How fabby is that eh! 

Day 7 Sunday

It's raining and John walks from Alston to Dufton the longest leg so far 20 miles. As John continues  to do his thing...  I will take a train  journey  from Alston to Slaggyford on the South Tynedale Railway which is narrow gauge . I will  make  the return five miles on foot  to Alston on a path which follows the line.  Met a couple of lovely volunteers at the railway ticket office

Joan and Dean... Thanks for the laughs.

Bye for now....