Nick’s Magical Mystery Tour by Peter Coulthard
A route through Wooler’s ever-changing history tonight. Exploring paths seldom trod and some that obviously were never ever a path – even for a sheep!
Trying to keep to the lower ground, away from the full strength of the winds, it was Nick’s idea of a route taking in “the Pin Well”.
After much deliberation of “through the trees or straight over the top”…. “lead on Nick” was the cry as we went (I think) both up the top and through the trees to “the clubhouse”. Who knew Wooler used to have an 18-hole golf course in years gone by?
Leaving the clubhouse, we ventured further back in time to “the King’s Seat”, the site of an ancient hill fort. Onwards through the heathland and further back to the Pin Well.
Now legend has it people would make offerings of coins or pins thrown in to have wishes granted. Perhaps we should have cast a few quid in and wished for the route out to be obvious! So, after a few “I’m sure the path went that way, or perhaps that way….” we decided upon a likely looking “path” which eventually, after some interesting deviations, nettles, horse and broom bush avoidance tactics brought us to an open vista looking out to sea.
Across the fields, past the caravans and a few more “which way’s most sheltered?” procrastinations we arrived, as if by magic, back at the well.
Back out of the valley, a quick look at the mound that once held a motte-and-bailey structure, round the ponds and back to present day.
A lovely route, and hats off to both Saul and Tim for the best choice of leg coverings to avoid the nettles. According to Nick though, Ronhills don’t keep nettles out – who knew? Ha ha ha.
Wooler Running Club 