Blog

By Peter Coulthard

We went galloping around the gallops tonight and welcomed a return visitor – Mark from Gloucestershire.

It was a hot sunny evening and we went up (it’s always up from the ponds), along the road past the cottages and into the open common with rays of sunlight spearing from the wispy summertime clouds to light our way.

For those observant ones, you can see how hot it was; Saul even had shorts on!  Sorry Saul, I hope the knee is feeling better, having had some fresh air.

Onwards over the cattle grids, then hang a right to follow the wall along the “track” with Humbleton Hill in front of us, daring us, to have a look on her top. Luckily, we managed to deny the temptation of Humbleton as we wound our way over the moorland back to the car park. Perhaps next time I will succumb and find myself back on Humbleton Hill fort but not tonight.

Thanks guys. A most enjoyable canter out once again.

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.

It was an early start for Victoria, Simon, Charlotte & Tim this morning as they travelled to Edinburgh to take part in Scurry to the Sea – a 12m race starting on the west of the city, finishing on Musselburgh beach. There were three mandatory check points on the course but the route taken between them was up to the individual. For some, the days running up to the event were spent meticulously studying maps strewn over kitchen tables to plot the quickest path. Others decided to wing it, formed a retinue and followed the person in front of them.

We set off from Hillend Ski Centre at 9am slogging up the calf-burning slope to the summit of Allermuir Hill hoping for views of Arthur’s Seat. However, the sullen sky put paid to that. It was a slippery and technical descent before we ran through residential areas, around parks, over railway lines, across copious traffic lights and down cycle paths. The final 500m was a compulsory beach run over the soft sand, which was energy sapping and soul destroying. The wet weather didn’t dampen our spirits but did find a flaw in relying on directions written on paper, which had turned to papier mâché by the finish.

We stopped at Bostock, East Lothian for coffee and cake and  we even had time to go round Home Bargains before we headed home. Lovely stuff.

A big thanks to Simon for chauffeuring.

We went for the usual Gallops route tonight. After a hot and sticky day, it was a joy to get to the top of the road climb and have a gentle cool breeze for the return down St Cuthbert’s Way. The views as we descended into Wooler  – always worth it.

A brilliant turn out at Alnwick Harriers inter-club run last week. There were three running groups to choose between, varying in terms of length and pace; however, all weaved through the beautiful countryside around Alnwick, connected by hidden paths and very scenic views (the backdrop of the castle being a favourite).  We were treated to an excellent spread at the Plough afterwards. Chicken and veggie wraps and chips were devoured by all!

Toria, Simon and Charlotte ventured out to The Curfew Run in Berwick last night, the first time for all of them. A great atmosphere, a 1.28mile sprint (for some) to complete before the church bells end. Simon was home first, followed by Toria then Charlotte. Of course, in true WRC style, followed by a trip to Coxon & Coxon on Bridge Street for a glass of wine!

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.

Snakes, Shrieks and scenery.

As I come around to my first anniversary of running with the WRC, I was given a special treat of the Carey Burn route.

Up the road from the car park, yes all runs start with an “up”,  then hang a left at Fords, cross the Common and continue through the open moor, taking in the scenic views of Hedgehope, until you’re at Carey Burn. From there head towards Earle Hill, with care!

Through the bracken, with our ever-vigilant snake warden at front, we gingerly ran over stones, scree and twigs, occasionally providing reassurances: “no Rose that’s not a snake”, bracken “nope still not a snake”, bailing twine, “could be a snake known as the Northern Frayed Blue”. A dip in the Carey Burn swimming hole is turned down by the men folk – too overcast. The snake alarm fails to go off as Rose unwittingly passes an actual one. We all slog up the never-ending hill till we glimpse the homeward stretch. Through the farm yard, bounce down the sheep cropped meadows to the car park.

7km circuit which I’ll definitely be trying to find again. Might even try a dip in the burn next time.

So many routes to explore spoilt for choice – all on Wooler’s doorstep.

Looking forward to the Cateran Hole discovery route next week, taking in the Blawearie haunted house. (by Peter, with bits added by RL)

Weetwood Moor circuit from Wooler. We ran up Brewery Rd to the Radio Mast; it’s a brutal uphill slog but there is a bypass: Nick, in his wisdom,  took the first left off the hill onto St Cuthbert’s Way, leaving him with energy reserves in the end to cover more distance than the rest of us. He cut across the Moor and met the gasping gang at the Trig Point for a classic rock-album photo shoot, a match for Who’s Next.  The rest of the run was wonderfully on the flat or downhill, with manageable bracken (for now)  – all perfect for nattering and taking in the vistas of Wooler and beyond.

We are exploring new routes so check the WRC website or Facebook  to confirm the location of the Tue 6:30pm meeting point.

Yes, it was windy but it certainly blew the office-induced cobwebs away.

Thanks guys. A lovely evening out still, discovering new routes through the beautiful countryside.

Route from the ponds’ car park, bit of a lung-buster start up onto the base of Hambleton, round the bottom then up again onto the open moorland where the views and 360-degree vistas open up. Few breather-stops to gather back up then down a lovely track to the road and back to the cars. Short but sweet. Just what the doctor should have ordered for a Tuesday evening.

They really should prescribe trail running on the NHS. For anyone wondering if it helps mental well-being, come along to a Tuesday night Wooler running club trot out – it really does work!