In search of the Simon Burn

I led the Intermediates on a 7 (ish) mile walk today. We started in Simonburn, a delightful hamlet, famous for St Mungo's, the parish church, founded in the 13th century, and for the tearoom.

We walked (mainly) uphill all morning, finally arriving on the Ravensheugh Crags (see blip). The views of the Cheviots from here can be wonderful, but the cloud was too low today. As you can see, there was a lot of mud to contend with too. No one complained!

We started at St Mungo's, head of the Anglican church in this area for many years. Later, on the moor above Goatstones Farm, we contemplated the large area which hides a prehistoric burial site. Finally, the Goatstones themselves. They are four stones arranged as a square and are a rare "four poster" stone circle from the Bronze Age. They are thought to have held religious significance, but no one really knows.

Seventeen of us turned up today. Covid took out 4 and others had school holiday duties to perform.

A grand day out as usual.

This evening, there was a Zoom meeting for those of us who are going to Spain in late May. We met our guide, Bert, who is delightful. I'm super excited about the trip now.