It’s Not Always Foggy In The Cheviots…

….and just to prove it, the next day was dry and clear.

James had planned us a 10 mile wander, starting from Alwinton this time, taking in the 563m summit of Wether Cairn. Dixie had to be left in the van again for an extended snooze in the warmth, but I think she’s got to the stage now where she’s nowhere near as bothered by that as she might once have been. 10 miles is just far too much for her these days, though. We have to take care of her.

We left Alwinton to the north, on Clennell Street, but soon dropped off down towards the River Alwin. A couple of miles further on we skirted round the edge of a forestry plantation, following Allerhope Burn. A track was then picked up through the trees, before emerging out on to a heathery bit on Wholhope Hill, only a few hundred metres from Wether Cairn.

From the trig point, we found a track and picked our way south over the tops, before coming across another track which took us along the ridge of The Dodd, dropping us back down to the River Alwin again.

This was the point at which I came a cropper, slipping on some greasy rocks which were half hidden by grass, bruising myself quite badly in several places. (Sympathy, please…..) I did have some sympathetic looks from Geoff and James, but basically ended up just taking some Ibuprofen and carrying on. I would like to point out though, that by bedtime that night, my left wrist had swollen and stiffened up so much, I could hardly bend it at all….

Still, it was nevertheless a grand day, with good views, and a good time was had by all – especially Tilly and Reuben.

And even Geoff was photographed several times with a smile on his face.