Sorry it’s been quite a while but I really need to get back into blogging!
I had a lovely day on Saturday. Daughter got a place on the McMillan Mighty Hike along the Northumberland Coastal Path. A place became available at the last minute when a friend’s sister had to drop out. It’s a 26 mile walk from Alnwick Pastures (by Alnwick Castle) to Bamburgh, via the coastal villages of Alnmouth, Howick, Craster, Embleton, Newton by-the-Sea, Beadnell, and Seahouses. The route took in some of our most beautiful coastal views.
The walkers were raising funds for the MacMillan charity, which provides support for cancer patients and their families, including specialist nurses. It’s a really worthwhile cause. The route soon filled up with walkers wearing the charity’s distinctive green and white T-shirts. Around 2000 people were participating.
It was a gorgeous sunny day, but with a nice breeze to keep the walkers cool. The plan was to keep track of daughter using WhatsApp Location Finder so I could meet up with them. This backfired as the mobile signal is not good along parts of the coast! I was looking after her little Labrador, Wren.
The walk has a staggered start and daughter and friends were setting off just after 7 am. I was supposed to meet them later on. Daughter would collect her dog and veer off the path onto the beach so she could have a nice walk. We met up at Embleton Golf Course, where I parked near the path where the walkers were coming past and handed over the dog, then drove to Newton by-the-Sea.
Somehow we missed each other at that next rendezvous point as I was unable to track her location but probably also because I was distracted by the view.
Newton Beach is one of my favourites and I spent so much time there as a child. Today it was at its best and I enjoyed sitting in the sunshine watching that view while I had a coffee and my picnic lunch. Although there were only tiny waves there was enough wind for the sailors: there were a couple of Laser dinghies getting up quite a speed and some larger yachts sailing past outside the bay.
Consequently, the dog got a much longer walk before I eventually caught up with them at Seahouses ! I was so glad I’d brought some water and a bowl because Wren was pretty thirsty after covering such a long distance. Even though I’d packed snacks and drinks the only other support I needed to give our walkers was to pick up daughter’s walking boots when she changed into trainers – it saved her carrying the heavier boots in her backpack. The event was very well organised with lots of refreshment stops providing drinks and food.
The last 3 miles of the hike between Seahouses and Bamburgh are the toughest. The imposing Bamburgh Castle is visible throughout this stretch and never seems to get any closer. That’s got to feel even worse if you are getting a bit sore and tired, even though the route is fairly flat.
Eventually they arrived at Bamburgh.
The group made it in good time, completing the 26 miles in around 8 hours. At the finish, on Bamburgh cricket field, the walkers were presented with a medal and a glass of non-alcoholic fizz. There was plenty of food available too.
I waited in a nearby car park where there is my favourite view of Bamburgh Castle from the north
Wren was delighted to meet up with her Mum, who was feeling slightly sore but suitably proud of her achievement – She reckoned she hasn’t walked more than 8 miles in one go before this.
As I drove her back to Alnwick to retrieve her car she shared how much fun, but also how emotional the day had been. As they set off U2’s Beautiful Day was playing – this was one of her Dad’s favourite songs and was played at his funeral. She said it felt like a sign that he was watching over her and she’d be ok. With that and the very personal messages walkers had written on their numbers about why they were supporting the charity, there were a few tears on the way round.
Well done to all the walkers on the Mighty Hike (both on the 26 miler and the shorter 13 mile version held the following day)
