This had everything - Kamikaze sheep, torrential rain, the wild rough beauty of Kielder, more rain, floods, Wall fete, 3 prize northumberland alpacas, the wonders of the Bellingham bakery [again - I know! But it is so amazing], more rain, Kielder organic meat, hospitality in Humshaugh, a bike of dubious quality... and more rain
The apology is that we only managed Kielder to Hexham via the off road track and the back road via Falstone and Lanehead. There I lost my chain twoce and nearly lost my head as kamikaze sheep ran down the road towards us before executing a Brian O'Driscoll sidestep into the ditch. Being sheep they did not all go the same way with predictable results and a near death experience.
My bike is old and knackered and patently not an off road bike - we did well to survive the Kielder section. Between Falstone and Lasnehead the people and scenery are truly special...you will struggle to find a nicer part of the county.
A Bellingham bakery pitstop [who else serves a Macaroni pie?..that tastes this great!] fuelled us all the way to Humshaugh and then Wall for the annual fete - full of everything from 3 very shy Alpacas [think a long necked sheep /llama], and great community spirit despite the rain
The flooding has been off the scale - not quite as bad as last year but getting there - the Tyne is in spate
Make it to Hexham very wet - everyone at Tynedale FM laid low with man, real or swine flu ... agree that we will pass on tomorrows Wylam section ...still a great day and we will do this annually
