Hayrakes Farm and a cruel tale

It's Wednesday and the Haltwhistle Intermediate walkers set off from Allendale for a walk through the hay meadows. This area of the North Pennines is known for its fine hay meadows. They will soon be cut, so now is the best time to see them.

It was a hot, humid day - nothing like the temperatures in the USA, but hot enough to sap my energy. We had wonderful views and enjoyed the hay meadows. A few people did a lot of sneezing!

We had a problem when a farmer in a big tractor told us we could not cross his field, despite the public footpath signs on the stile. We had to do a bit of rejigging and it was hard for the leader. I will be reporting it to the Council tomorrow. He had already cut his hay meadow - I don't think they are allowed to before July.

Across the valley we could see Hayrakes Farm. Someone remembered vaguely a story about a man who is buried there. Fortunately we had Violet with us. She is the fount of all local knowledge in this area.

In addition to the numerous Methodists in this area, there were a good number of Quakers. One such was Thomas Williamston. He refused to pay tithes to the church, because he and his family did not use it. The result was brutal. Their beasts were taken as were some of their belongings. Thomas was put in gaol in Morpeth for 10 years. He died in 1690 and is buried near to the house. (This was a Quaker practice.)

Home tonight to be tortured by Andy Murray - not as tortured as he is by himself. I might return to see the final set.