Our route was like running through the literary greats from Jules Verne, to Tolkien, to Brontë.
Parking at Botany, a nice spot to grab an ice cream on sale there if the weather’s right, six intrepid WRC members set off east through the mist, or was it fog or even low cloud? Perhaps mizzle – a topical discussion as we were led by Tim to the mysterious Cateran Hole.
We descended the moss-covered steps, to what was looking more like an underground passageway than a hole, but not before reading the ominous poem left at the entrance. Were we entering Tolkien’s “Mines of Moria”, hoping not to disturb the Balrog? Or following Mr Verne’s footsteps, Journeying to the Centre of the Earth? It certainly felt a lot longer than its purported 35m as we inched along the ever-narrowing stone walls, using our phone torches.
Back out and onto the mist-shrouded landscape, we were guided to the other-worldly ruins at Blawearie where Cathy wandering about looking for Heathcliff would not have been altogether strange. Sheltering from the worst of the rain, as Pam held court at the head of a random table and chairs under a lean-to, some discussed the upcoming Chevy Chase run whilst others explored the grounds of what was the Rogerson Family’s home, set in an enchanted fairy dell-like landscape with ancient trees and mossy stone outcrops.
A big “Thank you” to Tim for recceing a very hospitable, bracken-free route. A refreshing run with the cooler weather and the rain didn’t dampen the fun of exploring somewhere new.
Wooler Running Club 