According to the dictionary, a walker is a person who walks, especially for exercise or enjoyment; a rambler is one who walks in the countryside for pleasure and a hiker goes on an extended walk for pleasure. Whichever way you look at it, seeking pleasure is at the heart of all the definitions. The walkers who booked for this Autumn's Haltwhistle Walking Festival probably wondered how much pleasure there could be, when they saw the weather forecast for the first few days!
Over the first weekend, the weather was atrocious and people's waterproof clothing and boots were put through their stiffest challenge. Despite this, the atmosphere on the walks was buoyant, and a strong sense of camaraderie developed between those who had braved the conditions. As the week progressed the weather improved, although conditions underfoot were slower to change. There was more "plodging in clarts" then many had ever experienced! But by the weekend walkers were able to discard their coats and enjoy the sunshine.
The 18th Walking Festival attracted more than 400 bookings. Walkers came from as far afield as Bradford and Belfast, Lincoln, Luton and London, Dumfries and Durham, Warrington and York, and of course from Northumberland and Cumbria. A few visitors stayed with friends and family, but many were booked in the B & Bs, hotels and hostels in the Haltwhistle area.
Marie Miller, one of the festival organisers, said "It was great to see so many people who came and were new to this festival, alongside our regulars who come back time and again. People like the friendly atmosphere on the walks, and the chance to hear more about the countryside from local people who know it well."
There were many highlights, the Quaker Meeting House at Coanwood. where walkers were greeted by a blazing wood fire to warm them as they ate. The Weaving walk took a route alongside Haltwhistle Burn to Ald White Craig Farmwhere weaver, Ruth Hicken, demonstrated Roman methods of weaving before everyone had a go. This walk was followed by a tea.
Three other walks involving food were sold out. The 'Taste of Northumberland' included a tea at the end of a 7 mile route; the 'Deer walk' saw farmed red deer, included a lecture on roe deer and a lunch including venison casserole; the 'Fungal Foray' involved collecting edible fungi to take home to cook. The people on the walk by the East Allen were thrilled to see salmon jumping at a very full waterfall on their walk.
After the festival one walker wrote in thanks "great walks, good company and excellent mud". Another said "I doubt I'd have got to see that part of the country without your walk". It seems as though walkers gain a lot of pleasure from walking in this area, whatever the weather. The organisers are already planning the next Spring Festival which runs from April 28th to May 7th and will include a 3 day walk from Hexham to Haltwhistle via Blanchland and Burnt Tongues, and a walk in Three Counties.
Written by Marjorie Baillie
Source: Hexam - 18th October 2011
Official Website: http://www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org/
See More: http://walkingfestivals.blogspot.com/2011/01/haltwhistle-walking-festival-autumn.html
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