Day 15 Bellingham to Byrness

 Day 15 Bellingham to Byrness

17 miles and 2,278’ of ascent. As we all got up a little stiff this morning we were relieved to know there was less climbing today. We are all doing really well and very positive while the body is beginning to seize up we can move only with the aid of barrels full of anti-inflammatory gel, sticking plasters, anti inflammatories and alcohol anaesthetic🤣 We were rather quiet early on. We start the day leaving out accommodation to get back to the Pennine by path that we left last night. We then walk through he attractive village of Bellingham

the day starts as usual with a large steep climb out of the village and into the green fields around Blakelaw farm. Kirsty looks back at Bellingham

It then turned to rough pasture as we approached hareshore house  where we meet a hay bail by a stile

And then beyond the last outpost of civilisation we entered Heather Moreland the track was a little more than a width of two boots marked by the occasional guide we soon get glorious views

and then even better views once we reached Whitley Pike

then pass around Paden Hill the hills are separated by patches of squelchy bog.

  Soon Heather is left behind on the steep ascent of Brownrigg Head the path uses an old Broken wall to avoid the sodden edge of the forest which is actually quite overground difficult to climb and pretty much lung busting.

Can you spot Kirsty 

So it was with some relief that we reached the forestry Road in Redesdale Forest.

 There were a few cleared sections of the forest so the landscape is harsh but gives us the chance to see the scenery as well from a distance,  but it soon become apparent that we’ve swapped one extreme to another the half stone surface begins to take its toll on our feet, Kirsty has to use a compeed

miles and miles of forest Road wind away into the distance

we even get covered in dust by speeding timber lorry. Eventually we continue so a storm ravaged woodland beside the river Rede , we turn left which was eventually quite a pleasant walk.

 Finally we reach the A68 where we leave the Pennine Way to take an easy track to the village of Bryness

 We stopped at the Forest  View Inn which is pretty much B&B in a house but had an excellent night swapping stories with other Pennine Wayers.  Lots of bog and a very, very long trudge along forest tracks made it a tough day but the scenery in the first half of the walk made it all worthwhile. 

And many thanks for yet more new sponsors your all amazing ❤️ our total has jumped massively today and we are within sight of the £10k Wow! Wow! Wow!

Only two days to go here’s the link for anyone rember all sponsors go into a draw for the 2 handmade clocks 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/steve-jane-kirsty-1704720779976?