Day 5 - 5th May 2010 - Warden to Allen Banks

Another lovely spring day as we set off from Warden down a quiet country lane which turned out to be used by the locals as a race track! Luckily there was a footpath and after half a mile we turned off and enjoyed a lovely stroll along the river bank for a couple of miles.

We then plunged north off the riverside in search of Newbrough and, we hoped, loos (Anne & Maggie) and pub (Nigel & Steve). Sadly we were disappointed - the OS map lied as both public loos and pub were no longer there. Newbrough didn't disappoint however - a tiny village with amazing buildingd (including a Town Hall). Newbrough definitely boxes above its weight.

We climbed higher onto the side of the valley - quite a lot of huffing and puffing as this was definitely the hardest slope we have tackled so far - but we were rewarded with fabulous views to a snow topped Cheviot in the north and then, round a corner, an equally snowy Cross Fell to the south. The latter is actually beyond the final destination of this stage of the trail - the source of the South Tyne.

We picked up the John Martin Trail - hands up those who knew John Martin was Haydon Bridge's most famous son - hands up those who know who John Martin is! Relief all round as we made it to Haydon Bridge and, with unerring accuracy, Steve  Nigel navigated their way to the GBG, the Railway.

The rest of the walk was a lovely sunny yomp across fields and through woods (with only a few discussions about route finding!). We staggered into Allen Banks carpark for a cuppa after over 11 miles in 7 hours. Sadly no pub, but the loos were open!

Next time: Allen Banks to Haltwhistle - a short walk.