Day 94 – Spittal to Belford

Ben and Gary’s train from King’s Cross today is unaffected by track obstructions of any kind, and arrives at Berwick on time – 40 minutes before John’s train, which affords to Ben and Gary the opportunity for, among other things, a relaxed late morning sandwich in the station’s refreshment kiosk. By the time John arrives, our Colin from the last trip is waiting in the car park to return us to Spittal and we set off from opposite The Blenheim around 12:30. Given that the latest weather forecast is for wind, rain and snow, we’re pleased – and slightly relieved – that we’ve postponed the Windy Gyle section to our next planned couple of days in May but, when we reach the Spittal esplanade, there is no rain or snow in evidence and, although there’s quite a brisk and chilly wind, it’s blowing from the north and therefore at our backs. The sea looks suitably wild (to landlubbers) under leaden skies, and the walk starts along the esplanade and then slightly inland through some fields so as to circumnavigate Goswick Golf Course, or at least the northern part of it because, after another half an hour or so, the route joins a road which takes us across to the clubhouse and then towards the sea past some very brave people attempting to smite small white spheres back into the wind. We experience a couple of short and not particularly heavy hail showers, but the skies gradually become clearer and the tide is beginning to go out. We therefore get a bit of shoreline action (beach action would convey the wrong impression) as we approach the still submerged causeway to Holy Island where a couple of cars are parked with occupants ostensibly waiting to drive over to the island. If they are, they must be very patient souls because the causeway won’t be above water for another couple of hours at 5pm. Shortly after passing the causeway, we turn slightly inland and encounter a local resident who says that we won’t be able to continue along a track parallel to the shore because of some tree felling work. It’s not entirely clear whether this would present a problem but, because we’re not immediately deterred, the resident eventually leads us through his garden back to the shoreline which we’re able to follow for about another hour, almost as far as Elwick. Here, we have to turn inland again, through some fields, and over a bridge crossing the main east coast railway line. This brings us to a woodland and a path, running initially beside a stream, which emerges by the A1. There’s no bridge over the road, but fortunately it’s just a single carriageway, so crossing doesn’t present major problems. Or rather it shouldn’t. Gary’s slightly delayed decision to follow John and Ben does prompt a blast on the horn from an approaching car, but this seems (to Gary at least) to be out of an abundance of caution rather than because of any clear and present danger. Anyway, after continuing through another field, our final mile or so is alongside the road into Belford and our overnight stop, the Blue Bell Hotel. Shortly after our arrival the forecast snow materialises. This prompts a comment from one departing local about “southern softies” which seems a bit harsh – even though we are settling down in the warmth with a pre-check in pint. After check in, and retiring to our rooms for 45 minutes, supper is taken with a couple of bottles of wine, followed by a double and single sticky. A toast is probably due to Newcastle Utd who have secured promotion to the Premier League this evening with a 4-1 win against Preston.