Finn and Susan’s big adventure – Day 3 – Friday 25 June 2010 – Bellingham to Byrness – 15 miles

Finn and I were rudely awoken at five thirty by someone breaking into our tent – Andy! Andy had a weekend off work so had come to spend some time with us and help out with transport logistics, etc. So Finn and I would walk from the campsite to Byrness, while Andy slept – he’s currently working nights – and we’d get collected from the pub in Byrness at five o’clock.

We started out on farmland, but soon headed up over old quarries and mine workings, the spoil heaps now covered in grass. The guidebook said the way today was indistinct, but it was easy to see where previous Pennine Wayers had trodden down the heather and moss. And there were an awful lot of way posts to follow too.

There were other Pennine Wayers out – I walked with a couple of lads who are doing the way in sixteen days, but they were much too quick for me though so I soon let them carry on without me.

I also came across a support vehicle for four lads who are doing the way in seven days only – a minimum of thirty miles a day – madness! The support vehicle was manned by two guys who I chatted to for ages and, as they had so many supplies, they offered me top ups of whatever I needed – woohoo! I made a donation to the Help for Heroes fund, the charity the guys are walking for – they’re due to finish tomorrow, but have slowed down so much, walking less than two miles a day. And apparently their feet are a right mess! (I caught up with the crew at Byrness later –apparently the guys were having an energy spurt so were catching me up fast!)

The path from this point stayed within Kielder Forest – up to now, it had been really bleak and remote, but now I was expecting to walk through trees and finally get some shade. However, the Forestry Commission have been doing a spot of “harvesting”, so I ended up walking along tracks for miles, surrounded by tree stumps and log piles. No shade at all.

The Way eventually comes down to a picnic site, where Finn and I polished off our packed lunch, before Finn jumped in the river. God knows where he always gets this second wind from – he jumped out of the water and tore up and down the path like a lunatic before jumping in for another swim. This pretty much set the routine for the last couple of miles as the path follows the River Rede into Byrness. I was exhausted just watching him!

Disappointment struck at Byrness – the pub is no longer there and we had ninety minutes to kill before Andy picked us up. Luckily, Andy rang so I told him we’d finished and he immediately hot-footed (hot-pedalled?) to meet us and take us to the Redesdale Arms for a couple of pints.

A fantastic day, but my sunburn is a wonder to behold!