Day 45 (16.0 miles)

Bellingham to Byrness

Having stayed in the bunkhouse at Bellingham there was no breakfast. I had to make do with a pack of sandwiches (bacon & egg) and a chocolate twist.

After eating, I set off at about 8:30. Having read about the route last night I wasn’t that thrilled about the prospect of today’s adventure. “Up onto the moor, more moor… then to finish, Kielder forest pine plantation”

Approaching the plantation I came across the wettest, boggiest place on earth. After about half a mile of trying to negotiate the wettest bits I thought better of it and just took the plunge through the rest. (It’s a good job the ‘Forest View Walkers Inn’ in Byrness has an excellent drying room)

I even really struggled to come up with a ‘Photo of the Day’ but managed to catch quite a dramatic sky shortly after a heavy downpour.

The forestry road was hard underfoot but far more preferable to the odd shortcut through more bog. I made good time on the forest road and got into Byrness before 2 o’clock, I thought in plenty of time for lunch. But, in Byrness there’s nothing. No pub, hardly any houses, the hotel my guidebook talks about no longer exists (apparently closed over 3 years ago). There is a campsite and the Forest View Walkers Inn…

Dinner will be lasagna washed down by a few pints of real ale (it’s a bonus, they’re licensed)

Some stats:
Mileage count: 787.7
Pint count: 175
economy: 36.0mpg
Malt Whisky count: 7