Oct 14th 2010
The weather was not so promising today so not the day for seeing our beautiful Northumberland coast line at its best and most photogenic. An alternative walk was called for which avoided the new Tyne Tunnel construction work and congested Western bypass.
We headed south to Castle Eden Dene, reputedly the largest area of semi natural woodland in the north east also one of the oldest surviving woodland which once covered most of Britain.
Parking at the visitors centre with its good stock of leaflets we set of down towards a very step gorge passing magnificent imposing trees, oak, yews, ash, wych elm and beech there were also skeletal reminders of the invasion of Dutch elm disease.
It was a contrasting walk at one point quite romantic with the golden leaves of autumn showering us like confetti at a wedding. Further along the contorted trunks and branches of the ancient yews could be the dormant spirits awaiting the call of the Lord of the Rings to rouse them from their slumber and that was before we even arrived at the huge Devil’s Lapstone! And what was that noise and shaking of the branches in this very still valley, some might say a squirrel but you never know in a place of such history.
Squirrels were sighted on the forest floor having no problem gathering fodder for the winter. A busy yellow wagtail entertained us feeding along the small stream.
We left the circular walk to head through the meadow towards the coast were we had our refreshments. Suitably sustained we returned to the original path returning to the car park where the seemed to be an impromptu work meeting concerned about the recent government cut back with the quangos their employers Natural England being one under threat. What ever happens I hope their good work continues.
