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. RIDGEWAY AND VALE DIABETES EXPEDITIONS 2009 - ST. CUTHBERT’S WAY
For their 2009 trek, Ridgeway and Vale Diabetes Expeditions group chose St. Cuthbert’s Way, a relatively new national
trail running for 64 miles through the Scottish Border Country from Melrose to
Holy Island. St Cuthbert’s Way commemorates the journey made by the Seventh Century
Saint from his monastery to the seat of his bishopric at Lindisfarne. The trail follows well marked
paths from Scotland across the rolling countryside of the Borders and along the top of the Cheviots into England and
finally along the causeway to Holy Island.
The group has always been lucky with the weather and throughout the week
we were blessed with sunshine and mild conditions, even if on one or two days the wind on the moorland was penetrating and
everyone was glad they were carrying extra woollies and wind-proof anoraks. Most days started with a climb
which was rewarded by stunning views from the top; then ended by
a long yomp down to the valley bottom.
On
the fifth day the walk started at Hethpool, a tiny hamlet at the mouth of a beautiful valley running deep into the heart of
the Cheviots.
As we climbed out of the valley,
we were joined by a young foxhound. He clearly intended to share our lunchtime sandwiches for in spite of orders, threats
and entreaties he stuck with us for the next ten miles. Instantly christened “Cuthbert” he
was very good company and clearly knew his way over the hills.
However,
having arrived at the town of Wooler, Cuthbert stopped dead and would go no further. Eventually, he had
to be loaded into the Landrover and taken back through the lanes to Hethpool where the occupant of the big house and local
squire was also MFH and owner of “Cuthbert” - who turned out to be called “Dasher”. Clearly
a recidivist, Cuthbert/Dasher was not at all abashed by his master’s admonition and departed to his kennel several sandwiches
to the better.
The
group transferred from Melrose to Wooler Youth Hostel halfway along the trail. The food and the facilities at both Youth Hostels
were very good and the charges very reasonable, taking account of the recession. For
some it was their first experience of a youth hostel - for others it was a return after several decades. Generally
we enjoyed the experience - gales of laughter could be heard coming from the girls’ dormitory as individuals climbed
- and fell- in and out of their bunks and clambered over the piles of clobber.
On the morning
of the last day of the walk, the group arrived at the end of the Holy Island causeway as the tide receded and it was opened.
Some brave spirits taking off their boots walked across the sands along the pilgrim path -others followed the roadway. All triumphantly met together at the end of the walk marked by
the statue of St. Aidan next to the abbey.
The group was supported as usual by a volunteer
medical team. This year we were exceptionally pleased to have persuaded Dr. Tony Knight to come out of retirement - very briefly
- to act as our doctor. As it was, we had no need of his services - most of the walkers maintained a good control of their
blood sugar levels and we had no serious “hypos” and only the occasional blister.
Decisions will now be taken on next year’s expedition. If any reader is interested
in joining the group please take a look at the website www.rvdiabeteswalks.com or get in touch with Ingram Murray Tel 01525240
350 or email rvdiabeteswalks@btinternet.com
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