Walking from England to Scotland

[cat63.livejournal.com]

I've already posted some of this to my own LJ, but it occurred to me that the part about my walk to Scotland with some additional pictures might be a suitable post for here.

Lots of photos under the cut - will eat dial-up whole.

On the  Monday of our holiday in Northumbria, Rob had a booking to take one of the other riders out on the back of the tandem so I went out walking instead. Amazingly enough, the Honey Farm was within walking range so I went that way, but before I stopped there for tea, I trundled over the border into Scotland. After all, it isn't every day I can say I've walked from one country to another :-).

The hedges were full of lovely dog roses like this :-

I was also much taken with this leaf - I think it's hazel, 
but I'm not sure - I really liked the colour and texture of it though

I was tempted to go exploring across this stile, but the siren call of the teapot  
lured me away...

And not long afterward my goal was in sight, though I still had a fair way to walk
 - I knew it was the Honey Farm because of the old London bus 

A bit further along and there's proof I'm heading in the right direction, always a good thing when you're as bad at navigating as me :-)

But I resisted the pull of the tea for long enough to get to the  Union Chain Bridge, built by Captain Samuel Brown RN , opened in 1820 and now the oldest suspension bridge that still carries traffic (albeit one vehicle at a time!).

One of the support links on the bridge:-

And just to prove that I got to the other side :-

I took a lot of pictures on this walk, including quite a few of insects on flowers, at which I seem to be getting rather better.

I do love bumble bees, they're so fluffy!




And some flowers  without insects. 
I think I know what most of them are, but the little purple thing that 
looks like a Martian is anonymous :-)

Orange Hawkweed



Thistle bud


Dandelion clock


Plantain



Purple Martian! :-)

I'm not sure if this was carved on the tree or just grew like it, but I think it looks a bit like a dragon...

Some interesting ironwork on the way

The Honey Farm also restores old tractors. I thought this one was splendid.

I had my cup of tea and a lovely Brie and Pear and Ginger Chutney sandwich, 
bought some honey, rescued a bee from drowning and set off back to the school 
where we were staying.

The road got a touch steep in places. 



I don't normally like walking on roads, but these were so quiet they were effectively 
just huge footpaths most of the time.

And the scenery was lovely



I got back to find this little chap waiting for me - isn't he cute ?




And further from the gates there was a bunny :-




I didn't get any really good shots of the school, but this is the front entrance :-

 

Comments

[femsc.livejournal.com]

I think the dragon's been carved, which is a shame - but it doesn't seem to have done the tree any harm, which is good.

As for the anonymouses - I was looking at some of those in a front lawn recently and wondering what they were. And now I know - they're purple martians!

[cat63.livejournal.com]

I think the dragon's been carved, which is a shame - but it doesn't seem to have done the tree any harm, which is good.

Trees can be tough :-) As you say, it's a shame if people go arounf poking trees with sharp things, but this one seems to have mended well enough.

As for the anonymouses - I was looking at some of those in a front lawn recently and wondering what they were. And now I know - they're purple martians!

(Grin) I think I shall call them that, even if I find out what they really are :-)