I had made the decision the day before that I would head out of Alston on the alternative South Tyne Trail, and then at Burnstone carry on the South Tyne Trail all the way to Haltwhistle where I would get the train home. I had enough time to get to Greenhead and then get a taxi to Haltwhistle but my left ankle was extremely stiff and sore and I thought the South Tyne Trail (flat trail following an old rrailway route ) would be kinder on my ankle. Next time out I completed the PW section from Burnstones to Greenhead.
I had asked the landlady of the Victoria Inn in Alston to provide me with a sandwich rather than breakfast. She had been to the CO-OP and there was a shoppping bag with sandwich , fruit and boiled eggs hanging off my bedroom door handle. In the morning. I put full waterproofs on as it was P****** it down , and I limped down the high street to find the start of the South Tyne Trail. I was glad of this decision as the trail was flat and even and despite the bad wetaher I made good progress. Up to Slaggyford the PW meanders either side of the STT and in both my guide books is listed as alternative route for this section. At Slaggyford I somehow lost the STT and was back on the PW up to Burnstones (1/2 - 1 mile). At Burnstones I clambered up an embankment next to the viaduct and got back on the STT.
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| South Tyne Trail |
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| Breakfast stop at one of the small stations on the route |
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Looking down at the river from one of the many viaducts crossed today.         Haltwhistle |
I had plenty of time before my train in Haltwhistle., so I went for a meal , and then spent some time sat in the park and then went for a cup of tea at a cafe. The time soon passed.
So, although I had opted for an easier route today I still covered 16 miles. The end of an epic 4 days on the PW.
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