Pennine Way - Day 17: Byrness to Windy Gyle

Not worse weather

The weather hadn’t worsened, it was still shit though, so we decided to go. 

No rain was forecast but lots of wind. For safety, we teamed up with Vanessa and Gretel, and Mr. Gruber. But Mr. Gruber, an Austrian, was too fast for us. Or maybe just liked to be on his own. Every time he stopped, he would set off again before we got there. 

We could see that he was safe, usually. But,  it seemed a bit odd. But he was nice when we chatted that evening.

The climb out of the valley through the wet forest was a challenge but between us we managed. 

View back to Kielder reservoir

When we got out of the forest the real speed of the wind became apparent. It would gust and simply move you a couple of meters to the side. Impressive.

We had been told that bogs were up to six feet deep. Daughter had been provided with a stick, just to try and confirm this I think. The stick failed to reach the bottom, we tried. They were deep. Luckily the flag stone path was largely dry.

But the dead floated just below the surface.

We passed a couple of interesting signs.

Really?

I mean get a car up here?

But apparently, they do, because they can and because they are dickheads.

Walking was hard enough. But if there wasn't a sign then who would people know that it wasn't allowed.

Apparently common sense is on the endangered list. But at least it makes for a good picture.

The other sign was more worrying. We were walking next to a big military training area. 

Don’t touch anything!

No messing about

50mph wind

There is also a Roman fort on the way – but we walked passed it without noticing. Mr. Gruber who had gone to investigate was also equally impressed. He was standing in it and couldn’t see it. We knew it had been excavated and reburied – but it had been reburied well.

Windy Gyle really lived up to its name that day. With nothing but Atlantic to stop the wind between us and America. The wind blew and blew making lots of little pigs homeless.

Today pigs could be flying.

Where are the goats

Off the track and down, down to meet the taxi. The Ministry of Defence had apparently given special permission for this taxi service so we were honoured.

Wildlife!

From the van we saw some of the extremely rare and fabled Cheviot goats (an introduction) but wildlife note-the-less.

Warmth and another three-course meal.

		Cumulative
Distance Walked	22km	388km
Start Point	Byrness
End Point	Windy Gyle
Via	Moors and Rain forest
General Comments Bertha And may kill you. Wild life

Our Other Walks

Walking Across Slovakia