Community magazines for local advertising in Monkseaton and Tynemouth
I had one final route to walk and then my latest book, ‘Walks on the Wild Side: The Cheviot Hills’ could be sent to the publishers. I had deliberately left the best until last and, as I headed away from the deserted Harthope Valley, I was looking forward to a very long day in the hills. The weather was unseasonably warm and, as I climbed towards the highest … [Read more...]
It was a bit of a journey to the Scottish border town of Kirk Yetholm along roads which had more twists than a ‘Midsomer Murders’ plot. However, once I had started the spectacular descent into the nearby Halterburn Valley I knew that the time spent travelling would, without a shadow of a doubt, turn out to be time well spent. The grassed parking area alongside … [Read more...]
Each month has its own unique characteristics and, like the start of every other month, the first day of March last year marked a psychological new beginning. I was keen to hit the ground running. So, with tiny signs of spring popping up here, there and everywhere, I pulled onto the narrow grass verge, close to the farmstead of Hartside at the end of the public road … [Read more...]
A severe drop in the overnight temperature had made driving conditions less than ideal, so it was with some relief that I pulled into the empty car park in the village of Alwinton more or less unscathed. The pale February sun had already wandered into the flawless blue sky when I sauntered past the tiny ‘Rose & Thistle’ public house and across the deserted … [Read more...]
Picture the scenario. It is the first day of January and you are nursing a hangover. The celebrations of the night before are a bit hazy but you do seem to remember making a very public resolution immediately after your tuneless rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’. All of a sudden you recall that you announced, to the world and its aunty, that you intended to knock … [Read more...]
It was the worst start to winter in living memory with huge amounts of snow being deposited countrywide. Vast tracts of northern England, particularly towards the east, had taken the brunt of the severe weather and there was, unsurprisingly, widespread travel chaos. The prospect of a trip to the Cheviot Hills for my annual pre-Christmas walk looked mightily slim, even … [Read more...]
I had calculated that it must have been more than 20 years since I had last started a walk from Alnham. A re-visit was well overdue and, with the morning apparently set to remain dry and bright, I decided on a shorter than normal trip to the hills. I hoped to be home by early afternoon. The tiny, slightly fragmented village lies just over 300 metres outside the … [Read more...]
I headed out of the pretty riverside hamlet of Ingram on a bright October morning relishing the thought of a day alone in the hills. But, as Robert Burns famously wrote, “The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley”. He was, of course, absolutely right. The diminutive summits of East Hill and Old Fawdon Hill were taken at a canter and, with 3½ miles … [Read more...]
The heather-coated Simonside Hills stand high above the River Coquet and enjoy unrivalled views northwards. They overlook the market town of Rothbury and are a popular destination for walkers of all shapes and sizes. It had been more than five years since I had last tramped across these sandstone hills so, as I left a deserted car park at Lordenshaw on a dull … [Read more...]
The adrenaline seems to rush through my veins when I first set off on a long walk and the temptation is to burst out of the blocks like an Olympicsprinter. However, with the prospect of 13 switchback miles ahead of me I was determined, on this occasion at least, to ease slightly more gently into the day. The neat farmstead of Hartside lies at the end of the public … [Read more...]
If you are searching for a local business that you’ve seen advertising in Roundabout Monkseaton or Roundabout … [Read More...]
Details of upcoming events and meetings for local clubs, societies, groups and classes. … [Read More...]
Details of regular events and meetings for local clubs, societies, groups and classes. … [Read More...]