Day 9 Garrigill to the Source!

It was muggy and overcast, but we set off in high spirits - this was the beginning of the end! Today we will find the Source of the South Tyne (probably!). Route finding was actually quite easy for once (see above) the signposts got it right!

 First though we had several surprises:

   - a brilliant detour to Ashgill Force

   - a bull and his field full of his harem and offspring

   - amazingly colourful meadows

   - a waterfall on the Tyne - Dorthgill Force (left) - no, we didn't know there was a waterfall on the Tyne either!

Best surprise of all, was just how wide the Tyne remained - it only became a stream in the last mile. Mind you it then was so narrow that we could kiss across the water with ease!

After this it was easy! There was a large sculpture with a hole in it through it was possible to view a small hole in the ground! Ahh yes ... the Source.

It stopped raining and the wind reduced a little - so we had a celebratory picnic (a quick bite to eat anyway) and legged it down the hill to the car.

Then it was back into Alston for a cream tea and a discussion on what to do next. Somehow (and we can't blame alcohol as we were drinking tea) we decided to do it all again - from the other side and this time go to the North Tyne. That was when I realised that this wasn't the beginning of the end at all, but just the end of the beginning. Oh well - roll on November and.....

South Shields to the Source of the North Tyne!!!